Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has become a testing ground for virtual gatherings. As DC FanDome, Wizard’s Virtual offerings, and the efforts of GalaxyCon have proven, it can work. This weekend, Lightbox EXPO has also went virtual with Lightbox EXPO ONLINE. It started today and goes through Sunday with a wide range of participants and fan friendly events. This will prove to be an international event with artists from all aspects of comics, television and film bringing their talents to the show.
Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Andy Park and Anthony Francisco, HELLBOY creator Mike Mignola, Spectrum Grand Master 2018 Claire Wendling, and 300 Guests Attend LightBox Expo Online
Light box Expo is an International Celebration of the Arts, Featuring:
Comic Book Artists: John Giang, Sanford Greene, Kim Jung Gi, Mindy Lee, Mike Mignola, William Stout and Scott Campbell
Animators and Designers: Jorge R. Gutiérrez, Rona Liu
Over the weekend, famed concept artists Hayao Miyazaki and Brian Froud will be receiving The Concept Art Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award
Included Sponsors and Participants include:
Adobe, Bento Box Entertainment, Blue Sky Studios, Cartoon Network Studios, DeviantArt, Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Riot Games, Sony Pictures Animation, Warner Bros, Weta Workshop
Here is today’s Press Release:
(LOS ANGELES, CA – September 11, 2020) This weekend, LightBox Expo Online will host a stunning lineup of more than 400 guests and 300+ presentations for an international celebration of the visual arts. Celebrated character designer and illustrator Bobby Chiu (Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland) and Emerald City Comic Con founder Jim Demonakos — the LightBox Expo co-founders —have created a multi-faceted, online experience for everyone from aspiring artists and students, to professionals and fans, with a focus on animation, illustration and concept art. The event will be held at www.lightboxexpo.com from Friday, September 11, 2020 through Sunday, September 13.
LightBox Expo Online will feature acclaimed animators, designers, and illustrators, including Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Andy Park and Anthony Francisco, Oscar winner Everett Downing (co-director of Hair Love), Rona Liu (production designer at Pixar Animation Studios), James Gurney (creator of Dinotopia), HELLBOY creator Mike Mignola, Spectrum Grand Master 2018 Claire Wendling, Natalie Hall (artist on The Shape of Water), Loish (internet influencer), the animator, painter, and designer Jorge R. Gutiérrez (The Book of Life), and comic book artists, including John Giang, Sanford Greene, Kim Jung Gi, Mindy Lee, Scott Campbell and William Stout.
“Bobby and I realized we had the opportunity to re-invent LightBox Expo, following last fall’s incredible launch in Pasadena,” said Convention Director, Jim Demonakos. “The best part of this virtual event is that we can include artists and designers from around the globe, many of whom may have otherwise been unable to attend. At the same time, we’re using the site to create a robust experience for attendees who want to learn more about the process of creating art.”
LightBox Expo Online will feature robust programming from the worlds of entertainment and fine arts, including:
Wacom will be hosting multiple artists to join in on a discussion about black artists in the industry. They’ll also be collaborating on a Wakanda-themed painting while they carry out the discussion! Artists include Everett Downing, Chrystin Garland, Justin Copeland, Chase Coneley, Ifesinachi Orjiekwe, Kofi Ofosu, Sanford Greene, DJ Welch, Brie Henderson, Marlon West, Mike Uwandi, Dwight Clark, Phil Boutte Jr.
Join Maggie Kang (Director, Sony Animation), Donna Lee (Story Artist, Walt Disney Animation Studios), Yingjue Linda Chen (Art Director, Dreamworks TV), Victoria Ying (Writer and Illustrator) and Mingjue Helen Chen (Production Designer, Walt Disney Animation Studios) as they eat the Parasite famed dish Jjapaguri and break down the Academy Award winning film Parasite from a story and design standpoint.
A Conversation with the Marvel Studios Visual Development Team
They’re the team of concept artists currently envisioning the future of the MCU! Join VisDev artists Ryan Meinerding, Andy Park, Jackson Sze, Rodney Fuentebella, Anthony Francisco, Ian Joyner, and Jana Schirmer; along with Karla Ortiz, Phil Saunders, Jerad Marantz, Imogene Chayes, Constantine Sekeris, Alexander Mandradjiev, Keith Christensen, John Staub, Phil Boutte, Musk Rizvi , Tully Summers, Mike Uwandi, Saskia Gutekunst, and Henrik Tamm as they discuss their experiences as Visual Development artists.
LightBox Expo Online will present the Concept Art Awards, hosted by Max Greenfield (New Girl) and Carla Renata (Superstore). The Concept Art Awards is the first of its kind to recognize and bring increased awareness of the role of concept artists throughout the world of movies, television, video games, VR and more. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to creator and Co-Founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away) and legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud (The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth). Miyazaki will attend the award ceremony, via a video presentation.
Join Aaron Blaise and Manny Carrasco as they recap a recent Camp and Draw trip to Yellowstone. Learn about some of the parks’ wildlife, get some sketching tips and a listen to a few hilarious stories about a group of artists seeking adventure in Montana.
KitBash3D’s GameDay stage at LightBox Expo is jam packed with three days of industry all-star artists from movies and video games like Avatar, Halo, Star Wars, Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us Part II, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and so much more! Legendary Artists like David Levy, Jama Jurabaev, James Paick, Sparth, Vitaly Bulgarov, Beeple, and many more will bring live world building, tag team demos, career development interviews, giveaways, an interactive chat, and a new contest, right to your home in real time!
Many of the programs throughout the weekend will include interactive or downloadable elements to enhance the learning experience, all of which will be available from the LightBox Expo website.
“LightBox Expo Online will be an unforgettable way to discover all the artists and exhibitors who are participating in the event,” said LBX Creative Director, Bobby Chiu. “We’ve created an experience that is unlike anything else out there. The virtual artist alley and show floor works on any web browser, your phone, and is even compatible with VR headsets for a truly awesome experience.”
Registration for LightBox Expo Online is open to anyone with an internet connection worldwide! There are four tiers for attendees to choose from. As little as $1 gets you full access to the whole weekend, while the highest tier, $40, gets you an tote bag featuring with artwork created for LightBox Expo Online by renowned Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, as well as an exclusive print by concept artist, and LightBox Expo Creative Director, Bobby Chiu, and much more! For more information, please visit www.lightboxexpo.com.
With general admission only $1, this is an inexpensive way to see some great international talent and perhaps learn something new. Just remember that all times given are Pacific Time and plan accordingly. Does Lightbox EXPO Online seem like something that might interest you? If you check it out, let us know what you think, here at Geek Vibes Nation.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
