4 June – 4 July

Throughout June 2015 Hartlepool will become the home of world-renowned illustrators, cartoonists and comic artists for the Festival of Illustration.

Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD – an AOI Member college) is leading this major event that will attract thousands of students, artists, children and young people and families from across the north east and the rest of the UK to the free event.

The Festival also includes a number of events, which are free to attend:

• A major exhibition of international illustrators work at Hartlepool Art Gallery, including Ralph Steadman, John McCrea (Marvel), Will Simpson (Game of Thrones), Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo), Drew Millward, and Chris Mould amongst many others. The Gallery is at Church Square, TS24 7EX.
• Many of these artists will be taking part in the events on 5 & 6 June
• An illustrators market in Church Square, where visitors can buy work from exciting artists from around the country.
• Children’s workshops and storytelling in schools and libraries across Hartlepool
• Exhibition by the Book Sniffer in the Central Library including book launch.

The festival is a collaboration between CCAD, Hartlepool Borough Council and Seven Stories – the National Centre for Children’s Books along with significant support from major publishers and illustrators.