Veronica is a graphic novelist with a long history of community engagement. She has published 3 graphic novels, and won the Doug Wright “Nipper” award for her book Fugitive Days. Veronica launched the “Comic Creators Meet-up” in 2024, a free monthly meeting of local artists of all levels of experience to develop community that has become the "Foghorn Comics Collective". Her previous experience in non-profit work was as a founding member of the Spryfield Community Association, where she chaired the “Fun Committee”; helping to build an outdoor movie theatre and program free movie screenings until she retired her chair in 2020.
Sal is an award-winning children’s author and YA graphic novel editor with extensive experience in literary event planning. As the former marketing manager at Conundrum Press, they organized book launches, coordinated signings at major festivals, and pitched artists for panels and programming. Sal has also presented at festivals and led workshops on writing for children and graphic novels, bringing expertise as both a creator and event organizer.
JJ Steeves is a Nova Scotia-based illustrator, cartoonist, and arts educator. Treasuring the mundane in order to foster intimacy between art and viewer is especially important as JJ explores the significance of our daily patterns. JJ’s work is largely influenced by street art, comics and zine culture. As a facilitator JJ has designed arts programming for NSCAD University's Extended Studies Department, The MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, The IWK Health Centre, and Halifax Public Libraries. JJ’s comics, writing and illustrations have been published by The Coast Alternative Weekly, The Link: Concordia’s Independent Newspaper, Broken Pencil, Gaspereau Press, and Conundrum Press.
Rebecca Roher is an award-winning cartoonist, educator, and community arts facilitator based in Nova Scotia. She led comics workshops and mentorships across Canada and internationally, working with youth, graduate students, and community groups through programs at Toronto Public Libraries, Bridgewater Library, Red Clay Arts, and the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture. Roher has collaborated with medical professionals and grassroots organizations to create comics that support health education and social awareness, and her residencies have often included public programming and participatory projects. Alongside her artistic practice, she teaches comics at NSCAD University.
Vivian Zhou is a critically acclaimed graphic novel creator and illustrator. She has previously organized and lead multiple free comic making workshops through the Halifax Public Libraries, including workshops at Tantallon Public Library, Woodlawn Public Library, Captain William Spry Library, Keshen Goldman Library, and Halifax Central Library. She is the creator of the Atana graphic novel series.