Lake Erie Ink, the Cleveland Heights nonprofit that encourages youth to discover and express their voices through the written word, wants young people ages eight to 18 to amplify their creativity during the 13^th annual Kids’ Comic Con this Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 at the Cleveland Museum of Art Community Art Center in Clark Fulton and the Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression and the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) in University Circle.

The event will bring young artists and storytellers together for an immersive experience featuring hands-on workshops, guest artists, an Artists’ Alley, and more.

Kids’ Comic Con is not just for comic lovers—the weekend will provide a space for young creators to explore storytelling, character design, drawing, and artistic expression in an inclusive environment.

Amplify 2025 Comic Con“It’s really a space for youth and teen creatives that are interested in comics to come and be with each other,” says Charisse Bailey, Lake Erie Ink’s director of programs.

Registration has been extended until today, Tuesday, March 4, but walk-ins are welcome on both days.

Comic Con kicks off with a Teen Party at MoCa on Friday, March 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students in grades six through 12 are invited to a night of fun featuring a cosplay contest, trivia, games, and hands-on creative activities with guest artists. Additionally, Loganberry Books will be selling books at the event.

The Community Arts Center will host a full day of activities Saturday, March 8 at the Pivot Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Doors open at 9:15. The keynote, “Comics Change Cleveland” with Dawn Arrington, founder of Comics at the Corner, and Valentino Zullo, Anisfeld-Wolfe Scholar at Ursuline College and board member of the Siegel & Shuster Society, begins at 10 a.m.

Guests can anticipate the popular Artists’ Alley, walk around the gallery, enjoy hearing the guest speakers, check out the vendors, and attend workshops like “Adventure Stories with Anna Kopp.”

Some of the 24 workshops taught by local adult artists include activities such as clay character creation, illustration, storytelling, and creating a mini comic book. Walk-in participants may have limited workshops based on availability.

“It’s a space to have fun and for them to be themselves and explore different art mediums,” says Bailey. “It’s a great way to spend their Friday and Saturday.”

For more information, and a complete schedule of events, visit Lake Erie Ink’s Kids’ Comic Con 2025 page. Many Kids Comic Con programs and events are free. However, Friday’s Teen Party and Saturday’s Comic Con workshops and Artists Alley tickets are $10.

In addition to partners CMA and moCa, Comic Con is sponsored by Superscript Comics and Games in Lakewood, Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio City Burrito, and Mac's Backs.