Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival

England's Top Tudor Town Hosts Top Cartoonists

• What: A lively weekend for cartoon aficionados, plus a three week gallery exhibition of the best cartoons.
• When: Annually in mid April (April 24-26 in 2009, exhibition April 1 -26)
• Where: Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre
• Admission: Most events are free
• Website

The pretty Shropshire town of Shrewsbury (pronounced "Shrovesbury") becomes the scene of prolonged merriment and wit every year when famous cartoonists from all over the world arrive to share their art with the public.

The Shrewsbury International Cartoon Festival, which takes place every year on a weekend in April (April 24-26 in 2009), attracts at least 40 well known cartoonists and caricaturists, who work on giant hordings in the public square, conduct workshops for adults and kids and offer cartoon clinics for budding artists. Almost all the events and activities are free.

A highlight, in 2008, was expected to be the "reverse caricaturing" where members of the public put their faces through a hole in a giant canvas and the artists go to town drawing the body of your dreams - or theirs. Events include an exhibition of cartoonists best work at the Bear Steps Art Gallery (March 31-April 26 in 2008) and a month long, selling exhibition at the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery (beginning March 26 in 2008).