Joel Feenstra

Wacom is at Lightbox 2022 — with BRIC, 9B, and CAA!

October 6, 2022

Lightbox is back!

Lightbox Expo is back! From October 14-16, 2022 at the Pasadena Convention Center, this “celebration of the artists and creators behind our favorite films, animation, games, TV shows and illustrations” will be taking place in person for the first time in years.

Wacom will be at Booth #801, but we’re also partnering with the BRIC Foundation, the 9B Collective, and the Concept Art Association for some incredible activities you won’t want to miss.

Who are the BRIC Foundation, the 9B Collective, and the Concept Art Association?

bric foundation logo

In too many creative fields, women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups have a difficult time breaking in. The BRIC Foundation‘s mission is to increase representation of women and other underrepresented groups in the entertainment, gaming, media & tech industries.

It runs one of the only youth apprenticeships for gaming and visual effects, work with school districts to improve educational standards, and runs a powerful summer animation internship.

Diverse perspectives are crucial when creatives are conceptualizing the worlds they are building. The 9B Collective is the first Black-Owned concept art studio, with a mission of shifting the Entertainment landscape by working towards true inclusivity both in front of and behind the camera.

It runs a mentorship program, works with studios to do name-blind hiring to create opportunities for talented newcomers, and brings artists of color together. 9b’s artists work in feature films, animation, television, video games, graphic design, and more.

9B logo
9B logo

Diverse perspectives are crucial when creatives are conceptualizing the worlds they are building. The 9B Collective is the first Black-Owned concept art studio, with a mission of shifting the Entertainment landscape by working towards true inclusivity both in front of and behind the camera by running a mentorship program, working with studios to do name-blind hiring to create opportunities for talented newcomers, and by bringing artists of color together. Their artists work in feature films, animation, television, video games, graphic design, and more.

bric foundation logo

Concept art is an integral part of creative projects across multiple industries, but concept artists rarely get the recognition they deserve. The Concept Art Association is an organization committed to elevating and raising the profile of concept artists, their art and their involvement in the entertainment industries.

They do this through community-building events, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy work, as well as by running the annual Concept Art Awards!

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What’s happening at Lightbox?

At Wacom’s booth, we’ll be hosting a number of presentations, workshops, and demos, including ones we’re partnering with BRIC, 9B, and the CAA for. They’re also hosting a few other events and activities, too:

fantasy drink and draw

Drink & Draw

The CAA and 9B Collective come together for a fantasy-themed Drink & Draw the Thursday evening before lightbox. Join other artists using all kinds of media, from traditional to Wacom tablets, to enjoy some libations, create community in advance of the Expo, and create some art! Live costume models will be in attendance.

Details:

  • Thursday, October 13th, 7pm-10pm PT
  • Der Wolf, 72 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA

Workshops at Wacom’s booth (#801)

Producer and Artist Roles in Production Pipeline

Friday, October 14, 3-4pm

Mike Uwandi, an art director and concept artists for film, TV, and games, is also a co-founder of 9B Collective. Along with Christina Diem Phan, a senior art producer, they’ll discuss what exactly an “art producer” is and how producers and artists work together to create.

Conveying emotion and story in illustration

Saturday, October 15, 11am-12pm

Samuel Garcia, a visual development artists in live action film and video games and member of the 9B Collective, will deliver a workshop on conveying emotion and story in illustration.

Costume Concept Art for Film and Television

Saturday, October 15, 2-3pm

Maggie Chan, TV and film costume concept artist and CAA member will conduct a live demo of her process.

A step-by-step painting of stylized character portrait

Sunday, October 16, 11am-12pm

Omar Gomet, visual development and character design artist and CAA member, will conduct a step-by-step character portrait demo.

Live creature sketching in 3D

Sunday, October 16, 3-4pm

Josh Herman, studio art director at Wizards of the Coast, will sculpt 3d creatures live via suggestions from the audience at this demo.

mike-uwandi-profile-image2
bric foundation logo
omar sharif gomet headshot
BRIC creative academy at lightbox

BRIC Creative Academy

BRIC’s Creative Academy a two-day intensive project challenge for teams to ideate, develop, and produce new content.

It’s open to any high school students in the LA area, and during Lightbox participants will be guided through Artist’s Alley and given support in networking with creative professionals. All participants will also receive a One by Wacom tablet!

shop wacom tablet stack 1

Shop Wacom Products

Visit the Wacom eStore to find the perfect tools for your next project.

The Concept Art Awards

Concept art is an integral part of creative projects across multiple industries, but concept artists rarely get the recognition they deserve. That’s why the Concept Art Association was formed, and why they host an annual Concept Art Awards every year at Lightbox Expo! Wacom is proud to be a sponsor of the event for another year.

Nominated concept artists from twenty-five categories across film, games, series, and animation will be honored by their peers and curated judges, along with a celebration of lifetime achievements to the pioneers of the field.

This event will celebrate the finalists in multiple categories, present two lifetime achievement awards, and Wacom will be presenting its annual Wacom Community Icon Award!

Details: 

concept art awards
concept art awards

Concept art is an integral part of creative projects across multiple industries, but concept artists rarely get the recognition they deserve. That’s why the Concept Art Association was formed, and why they host an annual Concept Art Awards every year at Lightbox Expo! Wacom is proud to be a sponsor of the event for another year.

Nominated concept artists from twenty-five categories across film, games, series, and animation will be honored by their peers and curated judges, along with a celebration of lifetime achievements to the pioneers of the field.

This event will celebrate the finalists in multiple categories, present two lifetime achievement awards, and Wacom will be presenting its annual Wacom Community Icon Award!

Details: 

abeni jones headshot

About the author

Abeni Jones is a former graphic designer, illustrator, and educator, and current writer, who bought her first Wacom tablet in 1999. She’s passionate about video games, design, and the great outdoors.

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