Insider Art Raises Over $4,000 For Female & Non-Binary Retailers
by James Ferguson
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the comic book industry pretty hard and retailers are hurting. Creators, publishers, and distributors have worked to raise money to help out. One such fund, Insider Art, helmed by Shelly Bond and Jen King, has been hard at work since April, raising over $4,000 for 28 female and non-binary retailers around the world.
The editorial team led by Bond and King and including Mariah McCourt, Kris Simon, Sofie Dodgson, Nicole Boose, Chrissy Williams, Elizabeth Brei and Megan Brown, has raised funds in three different ways: A digital comics anthology called Insider Art, Insider Art fabric, and auctions of exclusive artwork, signed prints, and collectibles from female and non-binary creatives.
The Insider Art digital anthology is available on Gumroad right now. You can name your price, but the suggested donation is $9.99. It features work from 142 female and non-binary creators from around the world including Jill Thompson, Stephanie Hans, Lilah Sturges, Janet K. Lee, Trina Robbins, Myriam Bloom, Jessi Jordan, Amanda Gonzalez, Tini Howard, Chynna Clugston Flores, AJ Mendez, Aimee Garcia, Sam Maggs, Sweeney Boo, Margaux Saltel, Vita Ayala, and more. It clocks in at 270 pages and features stories about creativity during isolation, positivity, cli-fi (climate fiction), empowerment, and pure fun and games. They intend to make the book available in print too.
Shelly Bond says:
Thanks to everyone who graciously donated $10 or more for this digital compendium of summer fun. Insider Art represents the best of comics and its collaborative arts community, pulled together with skill and flair during a global pandemic.
The Insider Art fabric is available in three cat jam patterns in a variety of colors from Spoonflower.com. Jen King is running auctions on eBay and there are loads of really cool items to choose from.
