Introducing our 2026 Festival cartoonists in residence
We are SUPER EXCITED to introduce our eight Cartoonists in Residence for Nickel 2026. Each one will be watching a handful of screenings from this year's lineup and making new work in response — drawings, comics, illustrations. From now through the end of the festival (June 22–28), they'll be sharing it all on our Instagram @nickelfestival
Andrew Hawthorn is a radio host, author, illustrator, and journalist. His work has appeared on CBC News, VOCM Radio, StarTrek.com, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mythology from the Rock from Engen Books, and The 19th Annual Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, from St. Martin's Griffin. He lives in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador with his wife Ainsley Hawthorn. @hawthornandrewj
Angie Sutherland is a St. John's-based pixel artist, game developer, and filmmaker. She has worked on several games including Ravendawn and Rocket Rumble, as well as a few animated shorts! She loves blending art with technology, and can often be found selling her work in the vendor areas of the local convention scene. @rsvpasap_
Brenda Mabel Reid (they/them) is a non-binary multidisciplinary artist. They grew up in rural Ontario and recently relocated to St. John’s, NL! They have a background in architecture, and their arts practice explores friction between place, care, and social expectation, often through means they find humorous. Their practice includes printmaking, sculpture, installation, textile, comics, performance and audio. Brenda is also 50% of the Loosey Goose Collective. Headshot by Ritche Perez.@brendamabelreid
Dylan Dixon is an illustrator residing in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland. He has a deep passion for all forms of art, with a focus on figurative and character work. He works digitally and traditionally, with gouache and ink being two of his favourite mediums. Dylan takes inspiration from nature, humans, and creatures. He has a deep love for Newfoundland, its art scene, and its residents, and aims to show this love in his artwork.@drd_draws
Elijah Janka Martel is a multidisciplinary artist, zinester, and comics illustrator based in St. John’s, NL/Ktaqmkuk. Elijah is best known for live drawing at events ranging from rugby games to conferences to queer burlesque nights. Elijah’s comics have been featured at the Nickel since 2024 and they’re delighted to be back for another thrilling year! @elijahjanka
Evelyn Roitner is a multidisciplinary artist, and illustrator based in St. John’s. She graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Design in Illustration. Through drawing, painting, mixed media and ceramics, she explores themes of identity, storytelling, place and personal mythologies. See more of her work @electric.fawn on instagram and at evelynroitner.com @electric.fawn
Jonathan Adams is an itinerant language teacher, translator, writer, and illustrator. His miniature comic strips, "Eucalyptus Mulch," "Rats in Tuxedoes," and "Love Among the Unensouled" were published in "The Bottom Line" in The Scope magazine. He has lived in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and The Yukon. His debut collection of poems, "Elevator Etiquette," is forthcoming. He is currently based in Uzbekistan. eucalyptusmulch.blogspot.com @T1GER_SHR1MP
Paula Boffo is an Argentine cartoonist and animation filmmaker, part of the OJO RARO collective whose shorts Santa Sombra (2022) and Luz Diabla have screened at Sundance, Annecy, and Sitges. As a comic artist she has been published by Penguin Random House and exhibited in France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Argentina. Luz Diabla is playing the Nickel on Friday June 26 at 10pm. @sukermercado
