The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists has long championed those who work for small and local newspapers, and once again in 2024 the AAEC is looking for the best in political cartooning. The Rex Babin Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Cartooning (named after the late Sacramento cartoonist) focuses on state and local editorial cartoons, an issue of great importance to Babin during his lifetime.
While his work was syndicated nationally, Rex Babin was a strong believer in the power of editorial cartoons to have real influence at the local level. As the cartoonist for daily newspapers in two different state capitals, he saw how effective satire could sometimes be when directed at targets across the street. His unique drawing style stood out among the work of his peers, and his fellow cartoonists elected him President of the AAEC in 2009.
“Rex Babin was one of the foremost practitioners of the local cartoon” said Jack Ohman, Babin’s long-time friend and current AAEC President, “and the AAEC once again honors Rex and his work with this Award.”
This year’s judges includes previous recipients Matt Davies, Steve Stegelin and Joel Pett. This year’s award will be presented during the AAEC joint convention with their Canadian counterparts in Montreal in October.
The deadline to enter is Friday, August 23, 2024.
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The Rex Babin Memorial Award for Excellence in Local Cartooning — Rules & Eligibility
• Any editorial cartoonist or graphic journalist who comments on or covers local, state or provincial events in the U.S., Canada or Mexico is eligible to enter; membership in the AAEC or ACC is not required.
• Please submit ten cartoons and a 150 word statement from the artist about their work and its impact.
• Cartoons must have been published between July 2023 and June 2024.
• Cartoons should be in a 300dpi jpeg format, and emailed to rexbabinaward@gmail.com.
• There is no entry fee.
• The judging criteria are:
1) Cartoons on a local or state subject that have a strong political or social impact;
2) Excellence in draftsmanship and ideas.
The deadline to enter is Friday, August 23, 2024.
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For more information on the award, contact Matt Davies at Matthew.Davies@newsday.com. For more information on the AAEC, go to editorialcartoonists.com.
