Chicago Alternative Comics Expo

@cakechicago.bsky.social

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The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE) is a celebration of independent comics! 🍰 www.cakechicago.com/

Graphic reading "Program schedule is live on our website! May 2 & 3 2026 / CAKE / 4626 N. Knox Ave."
Headshots of Liz and Maddie with the following information: 10th Annual Cupcake Award Mentors: Liz Sux & Maddie Dennis"
Headshot of Steenz with the following information: "Special Guest / Steenz / CAKE May 2 & 3, 2026 / Irish American Heritage Center / 4626 N Knox Ave."
Headshot of Jeremy Tinder with the following information added: "Special Guest / Jeremy Tinder / CAKE May 2 & 3, 2026 / Irish American Heritage Center / 4626 N Knox Ave."
Headhost of Jamila Rowser with the following information added: "Special Guest / CAKE / May 2 & 3, 2026 / Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave"
Headshot of Ashley Robin Franklin with the following text around it: "Special Guest / Ashley Robin Franklin / CAKE, May 2 & 3, 2026 / Irish American Heritage Center / 4626 Knox Ave."
Graphic reading "Special Guest / Abby Kcaen" with a photo of Abby and the following event information: "CAKE / May 2 & 3, 2026 / Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave"
Graphic reading "May 1, 2026 / Cupcake Award Minicomic Release Party / 6:30 - 8:00 PM / Skunk Cabbage Books / Join us for the inaugural comics reading event celebrating the 2025 Cupcake Award Winner: Mili St. John debuting And Up!, They Sprung! / More readers to be announced - stay tuned!"
Graphic reading "Thank you / Awesome Foundation Chicago Chapter for the grant supporting the cupcake award! Thank to their generosity, we're able to partner two emerging artists with mentors this year."
Graphic reading "10th Annual Cupcake Awards / Apps Due 4-11 / CAKE's award for emerging artists! / Winners receive a $400 micro-grant + professional mentorship!"
Garfield as a collection jar
CAKE Auction promo poster highlighting Comics! Raffles! Readings!
CAKE Art Auction Saturday mar 21, 7-10p. A sci-fi scene where a figure in yellow coveralls is flipping the switch to activate a large green pad with the glowing text “Orignal Artwork” above it
Two figures announcing the opening of exhibitor applications for CAKE 2026
CAKE save the date image featuring two cloud-shaped figures. One is exploding in rainbows
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Role Playing Game Zine Library: Using Table Top Role Playing Games to Jumpstart Creativity. With the Wizards of Wizard Staffing Co. Sunday, 3:45 - 4:45, McGinty Room
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo. Printing Consultations with Print Ninja. Get in-depth answers about printing your next project and advice on things like: saving money, file prep, and software recommendations at a free thirty minute one on one! Sign up now! Saturday, 12:00 - 2:00 and 3:15 - 5:45.
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Create Your Own Vat Spawn Character. A workshop with Marie Enger and Mel Georgiou. Saturday, 2:15 - 3:15, Room 311.
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Figure Drawing with Izzy & Babs: A Workshop with Babs New and Isabella Rotman. Sunday, 3:30 - 4:30, Room 311. Must be 18 years old or older to join.
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Forms Of Feeling: Storytelling With Formal Comic Elements A panel with Malachi Ward, Eddie Campbell, and J.E Paeth. Moderated by Lee Onysko. Sunday, 1:15 - 2:15, McGinty Room.
CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Surrealism as Strength: A Workshop with Angie Hewitt Saturday, 11:45 - 12:45, Room 311
A colorful and calm Chicago lakefront scene, featuring cool, freaky monsters enjoying reading comics. CAKE 2025 takes place June 28th - 29th at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, 60630. CAKE is a weekend long celebration of independent comics. Masks Strongly Encouraged! Special Guests: Malachai Ward, KOREANGRY, Angie Hewitt, Caroline Hu, Geneva Bower, & Max Huffman
THANK YOU (a montage of images from our art auction) $2,721 raised See you at CAKE 2025!
Cartoonist Molly Colleen O’Connell wearing a moon mask
Cartoonist Jaime Dear behind the CAKE podium pointing at their comic!
An American flag: a sign that says “cake art auction” and a podium that says CAKE