This year's poster

File this post under “better late than never” but you still have time! This Saturday, May 21, you can attend the 10th annual Olympia Comics Festival — and here’s why you should. I love to see the growing emphasis on growing and eating local food. I think most people are on-board with the concept that it is important to shop locally, when you can (local comics shop Danger Room, is a key sponsor, btw). And Olympia is an region that values a local art scene — and comics are an important part of that.

The main events run in downtown Olympia from 11 am to 6 pm. The morning session runs from 11 am to 1 pm at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave. SW, Olympia, WA) with spotlight sessions on honored guest artists. From 1:30-6 pm, Olympia Center (222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, WA) hosts free seminars, workshops, discussions and vendors.

This year’s guests of honor are Paul Chadwick (http://www.paulchadwick.net/), Megan Kelso (http://www.girlhero.com/), and Larry Gonick (http://www.larrygonick.com/). Chadwick has won multiple Eisner Awards, a top honor in the field. Gonick became a New York Times best-selling author with titles such as The Cartoon History of the Universe — melding of academic history and playful illustrations. Kelso has won two Ignatz Awards and received a Xeric Foundation grant for her self-published Girlhero.

Now that comics’ influence has spread to movies, TV, books, videogames and more, I don’t think we really have to make the case for them as an art form anymore. But the stage is still dominated by the big superhero publishers and the handful of indies that have managed to secure reliable distribution networks. Local comics are more than that.

The spirit of the ‘zine lives in the modern indie comics scene and many communities boast an active host of artists. Not every community boasts Chelsea Baker. Local artist and comics doyenne, Chelsea is a guiding force behind the festival. That’s not to denigrate the many tireless volunteers who have been involved — although Chelsea is the first person to give me cause to use the word doyenne in an article.

On Saturday night be sure to check out the guests of honor signing at Danger Room Comics (201 4th Ave. W, Olympia, WA). Additionally, A showing of comic art debuts at The Northern art gallery (321 4th Ave. NE) Saturday night and runs through the third week of June.

For more information visit www.olympiacomicsfestival.org.