As a comics aficionado and an art teacher myself, i frequently tip my hat to James Sturm. The comic book artist, Xerix award winner, and cofounder of the Stranger is also the cofounder and director of The Center for Cartoon Studies. The school, located in White River Junction, Vermont is the only two year cartooning program in America. I’ve been tempted to enroll numerous times because the faculty and the ambitions of the school are so admirable.

I reserve special enthusiasm for Mister Sturm because his passion for cartooning stretches beyond his own work and his passion for teaching predates the school he founded and stretches even farther than his own classrooms. Which proves a maxim that I try to live by: Those who can, do teach.