Couture, Cosplay to Blend at Sept. 27 Wildcat Comic Con
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
A contestant on Lifetime TV's "Project Runway" fashion-design series will be a presenter at this year's Wildcat Comic Con at Pennsylvania College of Technology, as well as a judge for the event's popular cosplay competition.
Pamela Ptak, a designer on Season 7 of the show, will join her husband, Marvel and DC Comics artist Scott Hanna, at the “con,” to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. The pair run the Arts and Fashion Institute in Riegelsville and regularly accompany each other to conventions across the country.
What is cosplay?
“Cosplay is when you dress up as a character from comics, anime, video games or any related genre," explained Tracey Amey, director of the college's Madigan Library. “You travel to conventions, and sometimes – as at this year’s Wildcat Comic Con – you can compete in contests. Some people purchase their costumes, but others find, as they meet other cosplayers and learn how they made their own, that they want to try it.
“Many of the costumes and makeup you’ll see at the 'con' this year have been made by the cosplayers themselves. For many, it’s not only a hobby they love, but they get to be creative while they do it.”
To fuel that creativity, Ptak will host a cosplay design workshop during the event – the third to be held at the college’s main campus in Williamsport.
“To have someone of Pamela’s caliber at our ‘comic con’ demonstrates just how popular and career-inspiring cosplay can be,” Amey said, noting the other judge will be Eric Stuart, a voiceover artist and musician previously announced among the lineup of presenters. “We’re also very excited about the changeup to our cosplay contest this year. We’ve really ramped up the excitement with a cosplay runway finale show, where adult contestants will have their moment to shine in front of two professionals in the industry.”
The cosplay contests are an opportunity for participants to show off their hard work and craftsmanship while posing in character for an audience. All graphic novel, manga, anime, video game, science fiction, steam punk and related genres will be allowed. The field will be open to the first 85 adults (age 13 and older) and 50 children (12 and under) who register on-site.
The adult contest will be held during closing ceremonies, between 4-5 p.m. in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. The children’s competition will be at 2 p.m. in Penn’s Inn, on the second floor of the Bush Campus Center.
Thanks to a sponsorship from Janway, cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in each. More details, including complete rules and contest guidelines, are available at the WCC cosplay page.
Admission to the 2014 Wildcat Comic Con is an all-inclusive $20 per person for pre-registrants and $25 on-site (children under 12 are free). The pre-registration price is effective for all online orders through Aug. 31. Tickets are available through the Community Arts Center box office at the registration site. (The Arts Center, in downtown Williamsport, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn College.)
Visit the Wildcat Comic Con website for more about programming and presenters, the vendor and Artist Alley area, and other attractions.
For information about Penn College, which is observing its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Pamela Ptak, a designer on Season 7 of the show, will join her husband, Marvel and DC Comics artist Scott Hanna, at the “con,” to be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. The pair run the Arts and Fashion Institute in Riegelsville and regularly accompany each other to conventions across the country.
What is cosplay?“Cosplay is when you dress up as a character from comics, anime, video games or any related genre," explained Tracey Amey, director of the college's Madigan Library. “You travel to conventions, and sometimes – as at this year’s Wildcat Comic Con – you can compete in contests. Some people purchase their costumes, but others find, as they meet other cosplayers and learn how they made their own, that they want to try it.
“Many of the costumes and makeup you’ll see at the 'con' this year have been made by the cosplayers themselves. For many, it’s not only a hobby they love, but they get to be creative while they do it.”
To fuel that creativity, Ptak will host a cosplay design workshop during the event – the third to be held at the college’s main campus in Williamsport.
“To have someone of Pamela’s caliber at our ‘comic con’ demonstrates just how popular and career-inspiring cosplay can be,” Amey said, noting the other judge will be Eric Stuart, a voiceover artist and musician previously announced among the lineup of presenters. “We’re also very excited about the changeup to our cosplay contest this year. We’ve really ramped up the excitement with a cosplay runway finale show, where adult contestants will have their moment to shine in front of two professionals in the industry.”The cosplay contests are an opportunity for participants to show off their hard work and craftsmanship while posing in character for an audience. All graphic novel, manga, anime, video game, science fiction, steam punk and related genres will be allowed. The field will be open to the first 85 adults (age 13 and older) and 50 children (12 and under) who register on-site.
The adult contest will be held during closing ceremonies, between 4-5 p.m. in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. The children’s competition will be at 2 p.m. in Penn’s Inn, on the second floor of the Bush Campus Center.
Thanks to a sponsorship from Janway, cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in each. More details, including complete rules and contest guidelines, are available at the WCC cosplay page.
Admission to the 2014 Wildcat Comic Con is an all-inclusive $20 per person for pre-registrants and $25 on-site (children under 12 are free). The pre-registration price is effective for all online orders through Aug. 31. Tickets are available through the Community Arts Center box office at the registration site. (The Arts Center, in downtown Williamsport, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn College.)
Visit the Wildcat Comic Con website for more about programming and presenters, the vendor and Artist Alley area, and other attractions.
For information about Penn College, which is observing its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
