SPRINGFIELD – Local artists whose work includes sequential art will be featured at an exhibition at The Bing Arts Center, at 716 Sumner Ave.

Artists Marc LaPierre, Dillon McGuire, Michael Valade, and Sabrina Zaremba will display their work at the show that will open on April 23, with an artists’ reception from 5 pm to 7 p.m., and will run through May 28.

Brian Hale, executive director of the Bing Arts Center, defined sequential art as “images that serve a narrative purpose of some sort.”

He added that comic books, graphic novels and comic strips are all examples of sequential art.

Some of the artists involved in the exhibition have been part of the art center’s annual comic convention, the Bing Comic Con. This year, the one-day show is scheduled for Oct. 22 and Hale sees the exhibition as a sort of preview of coming attractions.

The show, he noted, falls within the Bing’s mission to present a wide variety of local art in numerous mediums.

“We try to be as eclectic as we can,” Hale said.

McGuire told Reminder Publications, “I am an illustrator currently enrolled in The Low Residency MFA in Illustration at the Hartford Art School to further develop my freelance illustration career and teaching career. At a young age comic books were a huge influence on my style, in particularly the inkers. When I was in my sophomore year of college I was first introduced to Bernie Wrightson's illustrated version of ‘Frankenstein’ and from that point on I had been inspired to pursue a career in sequential art and learn more about story telling through the means of illustration. These days my inspirations come from my travels, everyday life and I am often sketching people on location with a ballpoint pen and a brush pen. You can find these sketches and other updates on my website Dillonillustration.com and on twitter.com/I_Just_Ink for daily updates.”

LaPierre enjoys experimenting with different styles and tools, constantly challenging himself and pushing his limits. He has provided art for many varied clients including Oni Press, Kevin Smith’s SModCo, and Roger Corman’s Rodeo Productions. His sequential art can be regularly seen on the web comic The SuperFogeys at SuperFogeys.com.

Valade, a native of Springfield, actually once worked at the Bing Theatre. He works as a freelance artist, illustrator, and comix creator. He has used his techniques as a traditional pen and ink cartoonist to produce work for clients such as: metal bands Medicated Savage and The Black Heart Epidemic, businesses like Gamehunter and Most Excellent Collectibles, in addition to numerous commissions for private collectors. View his work at www.valadecomix.com.

Zaremba is a native and life-long resident of Springfield who has pursued and developed her interest in art since kindergarten. She received her bachelor of arts from Westfield State University and has been prominently featured in local exhibitions for her portraiture and comic art. She has produced work for Breygent Marketing and is now in the process of completing her full-length graphic novel “Rabbit Hole” for release this year. Follow her on twitter @brinacat80 and view it at www.zaremba-arts.com.

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