TINLEY PARK, IL — Soundgrowler Brewing will host its third annual Comic and Cosplay Market on August 31. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the brewery, 8201 183rd St., and will feature a curated mix of local artists, comic book creators, vendors and cosplayers, as well as a cosplay contest.
The event will be held indoors in the brewery’s barrel room and outdoors in the parking lot, with over 50 artist spots planned. Each artist, aside from those selling comics or promoting their cosplay efforts, will offer themed items relevant to pop culture and decorate their spots with comic and cosplay motifs.
Organized by Streetz Artz Alliance, the event will showcase elements typical of pop culture and comic conventions, such as Perler art, cosplay accessories, original comic artists, comics, toy resellers, POP figures, and more. Additionally, some Streetz Artz Alliance regulars will be on hand selling handmade bread, drinking glasses, resin art, and clothing. Ten Cups Tarot will also be available, offering tarot readings for individuals, couples, and even pets upon request.
Participants are invited to enter the cosplay contest. An entry form will be available at the event. Participants will be asked for their name/name, character/cosplay, and any information they would like to share with the judges. The top three finishers will receive prizes, and a “Brewery Favorite” will also be selected. The contest begins at 4pm and will be judged by Jen Watson of Jen Watson Art, Scott Eckelberry (known on Instagram as darthscotti), a representative from Soundgrowler Brewing, and a member of the Streetz Artz Alliance.
The Streetz Artz Alliance is a group of 350 artists and artisans from the Chicago suburbs, northwest Indiana, and southern Wisconsin who participate in markets at breweries throughout the region. The group is dedicated to promoting local artists and encouraging community engagement through arts-centered events.
“This event rivals larger events like Fan Expo and ACE Comic Con because it’s more intimate, curated with minimal overlap, and features comic book creators from the suburbs,” said John Streetz, organizer of the Streetz Artz Alliance and curator of this event. “You don’t have to walk 20 miles to see everything the event has to offer, and honestly, the tacos and beer at Soundgrowler are the icing on the cake.”
Planned appearance at the comic and cosplay market
- Avijo Design
- Old stock container 73
- Belonio Doodles
- Cats, Crafts & Cooking
- Curvy Girls Comics
- Individual leather art by Decker
- Defective Comix
- FrankenWerks Studios
- Imps Crafting Caves
- Jen WatsonArt
- John Tamuli’s Art
- Jonathan GrimmArt
- Justin Castaneda
- Kodou’s Corner
- Leaf escape
- LMKillArt
- Master class for savory sweets
- Nethercraft
- Prismatic Pumpkins
- shabby chic
- Robin Monique Rios Art
- Serpent & Flame Candle Co.
- Skulls & Sketches
- SNJ Terrariums
- Wandering Spirit
- Ten of Cups Tarot
- The Ancestral Oven
- The Sapphire Ghost
- Do you want to pickle gourmet foods?
- Thomas Wells
Entry to the comic and cosplay market is free, and there is plenty of parking on site. All ages are welcome. The organizers are looking for other local comic authors and sellers who can apply for this event via an online form.
For more information, artist portraits and spotlights, visit the market’s events page.
