We wrote about this event back in the fall of 2008 and word has it, it was a big success. In light of that news, we thought it would be cool to have one of the founders on, Pat Wilshire, to discuss the show's inaugural year and future plans. Pat and his wife Jeannie seem to have started something really special in their hometown of Altoona, PA, and we're super excited that he took some time out to talk with us.
As we mentioned in that other blog post, IlluXCon was designed to be more of an illustration "symposium", not a convention. The goal, as Pat describes it, was to create an intimate mingling between artists, students, collectors and anyone else with a desire to learn about and celebrate, art. Membership (yes, that's right) is limited to maximize the one on one time for not only the attendees, but also for the guests. This is the kinda show where an artist who wants to hear a lecture from a peer, can get up from their table—and go hear it! Kinda neat!
Last year's guest list, well—it was a doozie! Boris Valejo, Julie Bell, Patrick Jones, John Jude Palencar, Ian Miller, Bob Eggleston, Justin Sweet, Michael Whelan and Greg Hildebrandt were some of the stellar names that were on-site that November weekend. And from what we hear, most of 'em will be returning in 2009.
In the interview with Pat, he gives us the lowdown on his background as an art collector with The llustration Exchange, why he and Jeannie started IlluXCon, some of the challenges they had making it happen, and what lies ahead for this awesome event.
**For this first episode of the New Year, we played a snippet of U2's kick ass song.
Click here to download the show.
Thanks Swain and Dwight for another great interview. Hope to meet you both in person at IlluxCon '09.
Happy New Year!
p.s. I like the Purple Rain font on your header.
Posted by: Christopher Soprano | January 03, 2009 at 04:56 AM