Picture + Panel: We Are What We Cook

This month, Picture + Panel serves up a conversation about food and family with Robert Mgrdich Apelian and Shaina Lu, whose graphic novels explore the intersections of culture, community, and comestibles. Anthony Baum, the Somerville Arts Council's culinary coordinator, will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. About the Creators <a href="http://robertapelian.com/">Robert Mgrdich Apelian</a> (he/him) is an Armenian American author-illustrator based in Everett, Massachusetts. He's an avid reader of seinen manga and is especially passionate about making the most of comics as a storytelling medium. A primary goal of his work is to celebrate the diversity and cultural excellence of the Middle East and to portray it as something other than tragic and war-torn.​ <a href="http://shainadoesart.com/noodlebao">Shaina Lu</a> (she/her) is a queer Taiwanese American community artist exploring the intersection of art, education, and activism. She graduated from Wellesley College and Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she studied arts in education. When she’s not creating community art, she works with young artists and makers in Boston’s Chinatown. Most important, she drinks juice every day, and she is full of sugar.

Boston Figurative Arts Center

Picture + Panel: Grief and Loss

This month, Picture + Panel confronts the weight of loss with Tom Hart and Jesse Mechanic. Discussing two beautiful graphic memoirs, we explore how comics can transform unspeakable loss into art that remains. All BCAF events are free to attend.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. About the Creators <a href="https://www.tomhart.net/">Tom Hart</a> is a critically acclaimed Eisner-nominated cartoonist and the Executive Director of The Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville, Florida. He is the creator of Daddy Lightning and the Hutch Owen series of graphic novels and books. The Collected Hutch Owen was nominated for best graphic novel in 2000 and has received a Xeric Grant. Tom has taught sequential art at the University of Florida and at NYC's School of Visual Arts. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessemechanic/">Jesse Mechanic</a> is an opinion columnist, essayist, and artist. He has published work in Mother Jones, In These Times, HuffPost, Truthout, and other publications. Jesse enjoys woodworking, the television show Cheers, and working diligently to dismantle the various oppressive systems that define our world. The Last Time We Spoke is his debut graphic novel.

Picture + Panel: Surviving Childhood

This month, Picture + Panel confronts the weight of difficult childhoods with Melissa Mendes and Travis Dandro. From rural America's hidden cruelties to urban poverty's daily slights, we explore their comics transform family trauma and addiction into art that breaks generational cycles. Author and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Christopher Willard will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. Melissa Mendes grew up in rural Western Massachusetts, where she currently lives and works. She started making comics in 2002 at Hampshire College and got her MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2010. Melissa was the recipient of the 2010 Xeric comics self-publishing grant for her book Freddy Stories. In 2014 she began creating and self-publishing the Ignatz-nominated comic The Weight, now a graphic novel, inspired by her late grandfather's life. Travis Dandro was born in Leicester, Massachusetts. He started publishing his first comic strip, Twerp, in the local weekly newspaper when he was 13 years old. In 1996 Travis graduated from Montserrat College of Art with a degree in fine art. Since then, his comics have appeared in dozens of college newspapers in the United States and Canada, and his first graphic novel, King of King Court, won the Lynd Ward Prize for graphic novel of the year. He currently lives in Belfast, Maine, with his sons.

Picture + Panel: Insects with Peter Kuper and Allison Conway

This month, Picture + Panel crawls into the fascinating world of insects with Peter Kuper and Allison Conway. Join us for an antenna-raising conversation that explores tiny creatures with enormous impact! Whit Farnum from the Farrell Lab at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. About the Creators <a href="https://www.peterkuper.com/">Peter Kuper</a> wrote the Eisner Award–winning Ruins and critically acclaimed adaptations of Alice in Wonderland, Heart of Darkness, and Metamorphosis. He founded the political anthology World War 3 Illustrated, writes and draws Mad magazine’s Spy vs. Spy, and taught Harvard University’s first class dedicated to graphic novels and comics. <a href="https://www.allistrations.com/">Allison Conway</a> is an illustrator and comic artist living in Brooklyn, NY.  She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration in 2016. She has published two other books, The Lab, published in 2020 with Top Shelf Productions and The Island, published in 2023 with Fieldmouse Press. She grew up by a swamp in the woods of Lake Geneva, WI and has always had a passion for animals and organisms of all shapes and sizes.

Picture + Panel: Culinary Cartooning with Sarah Becan and Jarrett Melendez

This month, Picture + Panel serves up a delectable discussion with Sarah Becan and Jarrett Melendez. Join us for a feast of ideas as our guests stir up conversation about cooking, baking, and the art of culinary storytelling. Milk Street chef Rayna Jhaveri will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space. About the Creators <a href="https://sarahbecan.com/">Sarah Becan</a> is a comics artist, author, illustrator, and designer based in Chicago. She is also the creator of I Think You’re Sauceome, a food-centric autobiographical webcomic. Her work has appeared in various publications, including Saveur, Eater, Organic Life, StarChefs, and Tasting Table. She illustrated the cookbook The Adventures of Fat Rice and is the coauthor and illustrator of the comic book cookbooks Let’s Make Ramen!, Let’s Make Dumplings!, and most recently Let's Make Bread!, published by Ten Speed Graphic. <a href="https://www.jarrettwrites.com/">Jarrett Melendez</a> grew up on the mean, deer-infested streets of Bucksport, Maine. A longtime fan of food and cooking, Jarrett has spent a lot of his time in kitchens, oftentimes as a paid professional! Jarrett is a regular contributor to Bon Appetit and Food52, and is the author of The Comic Kitchen, a fully illustrated, comic-style cookbook. When not cooking and writing about food, Jarrett usually writes comic books and has contributed to the Ringo-nominated All We Ever Wanted, Full Bleed, and Murder Hobo: Chaotic Neutral.

Aeronaut Brewery

Picture + Panel: Seriously Funny with Emma Hunsinger and Caitlin Cass

This month, Picture + Panel invites you to discover the role humor plays in reflection and understanding. Join us for an engaging discussion with Emma Hunsinger and Caitlin Cass as they delve into comics and comedy. Boston Globe columnist Meredith Goldstein will moderate. Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space. <a href="https://www.emmahunsinger.com/">Emma Hunsinger</a> is the creator of the autobiographical comic “How to Draw a Horse,” which was nominated for an Eisner Award and included in the prestigious annual “Cartoon Takeover” print edition of the New Yorker. Emma Hunsinger graduated with an MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. She lives with her family in Vermont. <a href="https://www.caitlincass.com/">Caitlin Cass</a> is an American artist whose comics often reckon with America’s thorny history. Cass’s work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Lily, and The Nib. She was a 2018 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellow in Fiction, and her 2020 solo exhibition “Women’s Work” was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art, Illustration, and Time-Based Media at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Picture + Panel: Queerness and Pop Culture with Maurice Vellekoop and Cathy G. Johnson

This month, Picture + Panel dives into an electrifying discussion with Maurice Vellekoop and Cathy G. Johnson about the intersection of queerness and pop culture. QT Library executive director Emily Talley will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space. About the Creators <a href="https://www.mauricevellekoop.com/">Maurice Vellekoop</a> was born in 1964 in a suburb of Toronto. A prolific artist and illustrator, he has worked non-stop for the last three decades. In addition to publications, his corporate clients include Swissair, Abercrombie &amp; Fitch, Air Canada, Smart Car, LVMH, and Bush Irish Whiskey. He lives on Toronto Island with his partner Gordon Bowness. <a href="https://www.cathygjohn.net/">Cathy G. Johnson</a> is a cartoonist and educator in Providence, Rhode Island. The Breakaways is her third graphic novel, after Gorgeous (2016) with Koyama Press and Jeremiah (2015) with One Percent Press. Cathy has also published shorter comics work with publishers such as Silver Sprocket and Youth in Decline. In addition to creating artwork, Cathy works as an educator in the New England area, serving many local communities within schools and community centers.

Picture + Panel: Mental Health with Cara Bean + Jonell Joshua

This month,&nbsp;Picture + Panel&nbsp;opens up a profound and compassionate conversation about mental health between Cara Bean and Jonell Joshua. Graphic Medicine advocate Matthew Noe will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space. About the Creators <a href="https://www.carabeancomics.com/" target="_blank">Cara Bean</a>&nbsp;is the author of&nbsp;Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health&nbsp;and&nbsp;Draw 500 Funny Faces and Features. She provides interactive workshops on creativity with people of all ages and backgrounds in various public forums. Cara is passionate about drawing and believes that the simple act of doodling on paper can lead to the investigation of complex ideas. When she is not teaching, she makes comics that delve into poetic self introspection, playful storytelling and topics relevant to teens and teaching. Cara is currently working on comics projects that speak directly to kids and address mental health. Cara lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their dog Raisin. <a href="https://www.jonelljoshua.com/" target="_blank">Jonell Joshua</a>&nbsp;found her calling for art at a young age -- precisely 2nd grade -- after she found her mother's art portfolio in the bedroom of her childhood home. Hoping to emulate her mother's talents, soon after, Jonell started drawing kid’s portraits in the cafeteria during lunch. In later years she dove deeper into the arts, continuing to create in and out of school, finding ways to express herself and connect with others. Today Jonell is an award-winning illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. Her professional work has explored a range of topics in editorial illustration and publication, including illustrating for Good Night Stories for&nbsp;Rebel Girls: 100 Real Life Tales of Black Girl Magic, The Queens of the Resistance series, and work featured in the film Selah and the Spades. She has worked with clients including&nbsp;The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine,&nbsp;and&nbsp;NPR.

Picture + Panel: On the Go with Lucy Knisley + Tessa Hulls

This month's Picture + Panel invites you on a journey with Lucy Knisley and Tessa Hulls as we delve into travel, bicycles, and the open road. Queers on Wheels founder Sandy Capecelatro will moderate. All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space. About the Creators <a href="https://www.lucyknisley.com/">Lucy Knisley</a> is the critically acclaimed, award-winning, New York Times bestselling comics creator of Stepping Stones, Apple Crush, Relish and Kid Gloves. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son. She specializes in personal, confessional graphic novels and illustration. Find her online at @lucyknisley.  <a href="https://tessahulls.com/home.html">Tessa Hulls</a> is an artist, a writer, and an adventurer. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Atlas Obscura, and Adventure Journal, and her comics have been published in The Rumpus, City Arts, and Spark. She has received grants from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, 4Culture, and the McMillen Foundation, and she is a recipient of the Washington Artist Trust Arts Innovator Award. Feeding Ghosts is her first book.

Aeronaut Brewing Company

Picture + Panel: Love and Obsession with Erica Henderson + Mad Rupert

This month’s Picture + Panel will feature a discussion between Erica Henderson and Mad Rupert about Love and Obsession—two intertwined topics that take over our minds and hearts. BCAF Board Member and Brookline Teen Librarian Robin Brenner will moderate.  All BCAF events are free to attend.  If you wish to pay it forward, a $5 suggested donation helps sustain BCAF's comics advocacy and educational programming in the Greater Boston area. More about Picture + Panel Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Aeronaut Brewing, Porter Square Books, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression. Book sales are provided at the event by Porter Square Books. All events at Aeronaut Brewery are for ages 21+. This event will take place in their 'Food Hub' space.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

bostoncomicarts

Experiences