The National Caricaturist Network is an international non-profit trade association. Its purpose is to promote of the art of caricature, educate the public and the media about the art of caricature and to provide its members with helpful information about caricture as an as artform as well as a profession. The NCN currently has close to 500 members from around the world, and is growing every day. Members receive our quarterly magazine, Exaggerated Features, which has articles about caricaturing, featured artists tips and stories as well as other useful information about caricature illustration. The NCN annual convention is held each year in a different location. The conventions features a guest speaker, lectures, seminars, competitions, awards and the camaraderie of your peers in the art of caricature drawing.
The NCN is a professional association but welcomes anyone interested in the art of caricature. Associate and student memberships are available at discounted rates for those who wish to simply be a part of the organization or who want to learn more about becoming a professional caricaturist.
The NCN was formed in 1989 by Wallace "Buddy" Rose. Buddy created a forum for caricaturists by providing a quarterly newsletter and annual convention. The original goal was to create an organization that would seek out charitable and mutual benefits for united artists. It operated briefly as a booking agency until filing its application in compliance with article 5154a making it a trade union in 1994. In 1995 the new constitution was ratified in San Antonio, TX, the NCN was granted non-profit status, and the first election was held. In 2005, the NCN was changed into a non-profit, unincorporated association.
The association boasts some of the most recognizable names in the industry as members and friends of the NCN. Jack Davis, Sergio Aragones, Mort Drucker and Tom Richmond of Mad Magazine, Jan Op De Beeck, Sam Norkin, Rudy Cristiano, Bruce Blitz, C.F. Payne, Pancho Willmarth, Mike Peters, Steve Silver and Sebastian Krüger have all been keynote speakers and members. Many NCN members are accomplished as artists not only in caricaturing, but in other artistic fields as well.
Ben Heine by David baillod
