The Midwest Region of the Graphic Artists Guild provides an ever-expanding range of resources and opportunities for Guild members in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and International members whose backgrounds span various artistic disciplines and skill levels.
We are here to provide a voice for students, associates, and professional artists so we can improve our profession together.
Join us on Social Media:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/graphicartistsguild
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gaguild
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/graphicartistsguild/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphic-artists-guild

November
08nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
12novAll DayMidwest Region Meet-up
Time
Event Details
The leaves are falling, the deadlines are looming — and the Midwest creative crowd is gathering. Join the Graphic Artists Guild Midwest Region for a cozy, autumn-inspired virtual
Event Details
The leaves are falling, the deadlines are looming — and the Midwest creative crowd is gathering.
Join the Graphic Artists Guild Midwest Region for a cozy, autumn-inspired virtual meetup. It’s a relaxed hour to connect with fellow creatives — no agenda, no pressure, just good conversation.
Settle in with your favorite fall treat and swap stories, ideas, and inspiration with fellow creatives — all without leaving your couch.
15nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Time
Event Details
Attendees will learn how to interpret their business finances, identify gaps in their financial systems, and use their numbers to make more confident decisions about pricing, spending, profitability, and growth.
Event Details
Attendees will learn how to interpret their business finances, identify gaps in their financial systems, and use their numbers to make more confident decisions about pricing, spending, profitability, and growth. Creative businesses face a unique challenge: the work that generates revenue often gets the most attention, while the financial infrastructure supporting it gets pushed aside. A designer may have a full calendar but very little cash available. An illustrator may have several profitable projects but no clear picture of which clients generate the best return. A studio owner may increase sales without realizing that expenses are growing faster than revenue. This webinar explores the space between making money and building a financially sustainable business.
Presenter:
Ayanna Jones
Founder of SolarPencil | Financial Systems & Business Operations Consultant
Ayanna Jones believes that creativity and good business should go hand in hand. With more than a decade of experience in accounting, operations, human resources, and project management, Ayanna helps creative entrepreneurs build the financial and operational foundations they need to run successful, sustainable businesses.But her connection to the creative community goes beyond her professional experience.
A longtime art supporter and collector, Ayanna has spent more than a decade building relationships with artists and supporting the work they create. She understands that behind every creative business is a person balancing their passion, livelihood, clients, and the many responsibilities that come with running a business.
Through her company, SolarPencil, Ayanna brings a practical, thoughtful approach to bookkeeping, financial systems, and business operations. She enjoys helping business owners untangle complicated processes, organize their finances, and create systems that make running a business easier and more rewarding.
Her philosophy is simple: artists and creative entrepreneurs should have the freedom to focus on what they do best, without feeling overwhelmed by the business behind it. Whether she’s helping a business understand its numbers, improve its workflows, or build a better foundation for growth, Ayanna’s goal is always the same: to make the business side of creativity a little less complicated.
Because making great work is only part of building a great business.
18nov7:00 pm8:30 pmShow Off & TellShow off, Share, and Schmooze with the Graphic Artists Guild!
Time
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp. All
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp.
All creatives are welcome. Whether you want to show off your work (and enjoy some oohs and ahhs), or just participate in the tell part, come and schmooze with us!
Got new stickers in your store? Working on a website? Designing a business card? Come share with us!
We meet monthly at 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT).
Sign up for one event, or as many as you’d like!
Limited space available.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
22nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
29nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
December
02dec7:00 pm8:00 pmTown HallGET YOUR FEELINGS OUT
Time
Event Details
GET YOUR FEELINGS OUT Come one, come all, members and non-members of the Graphic Artists Guild, and professional creative community! We want to have honest discussions about the state of our
Event Details
GET YOUR FEELINGS OUT
Come one, come all, members and non-members of the Graphic Artists Guild, and professional creative community! We want to have honest discussions about the state of our industry. Increased job loss, displacement from AI, rampant copyright infringement, a competitive gig economy with even narrower margins and universally rising material costs, the creative community is getting squeezed hard right now from all sides. We don’t need an elephant in the room, we need to find real solutions to our shared concerns.
We at The Guild understand the realities of working small business creatives, and want to know what you are up against so we can become the advocates you need in a Trade Organization. Our community is comprised of working creatives helping to drive small business, non-profits, and higher ed.
Your lived experience in navigating this challenging time allows us the opportunity to share our available resources to support the community. From creative community support, to advocating on Capitol Hill for your creative rights, to helping you negotiate a contract concern, The Graphic Artists Guild is here to help you thrive in your creativity.
Learn what we’re working on, how we can help you right now, and how you can get involved! Our monthly town hall is facilitated by the South Region Rep, Lennie Gray.
06dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
13dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
16dec7:00 pm8:30 pmShow Off & TellShow off, Share, and Schmooze with the Graphic Artists Guild!
Time
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp. All
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp.
All creatives are welcome. Whether you want to show off your work (and enjoy some oohs and ahhs), or just participate in the tell part, come and schmooze with us!
Got new stickers in your store? Working on a website? Designing a business card? Come share with us!
We meet monthly at 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT).
Sign up for one event, or as many as you’d like!
Limited space available.
20dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
27dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Regional Representative:
Lane Kendall
midwest-rep@graphicartistsguild.org
When you become a member of the Graphic Artists Guild, you will become affiliated with one of five Guild Regions and start receiving communications from the national office and your regional admin, including:

- Your copy of Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
- Guild eNews email newsletter with articles about advocacy, webinars, and more
- Quarterly updates about member benefits
- Advocacy updates about pending copyright legislation

EAST REGION
DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV, International

MIDWEST REGION
IA, IL, IN, KY, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, International

NEW ENGLAND REGION
CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, International

SOUTH REGION
AR, AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, International

WEST REGION
AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, WY, UT, WA, International
Upcoming Events
08nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
12novAll DayMidwest Region Meet-up
Time
Event Details
The leaves are falling, the deadlines are looming — and the Midwest creative crowd is gathering. Join the Graphic Artists Guild Midwest Region for a cozy, autumn-inspired virtual
Event Details
The leaves are falling, the deadlines are looming — and the Midwest creative crowd is gathering.
Join the Graphic Artists Guild Midwest Region for a cozy, autumn-inspired virtual meetup. It’s a relaxed hour to connect with fellow creatives — no agenda, no pressure, just good conversation.
Settle in with your favorite fall treat and swap stories, ideas, and inspiration with fellow creatives — all without leaving your couch.
15nov1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Time
Event Details
Attendees will learn how to interpret their business finances, identify gaps in their financial systems, and use their numbers to make more confident decisions about pricing, spending, profitability, and growth.
Event Details
Attendees will learn how to interpret their business finances, identify gaps in their financial systems, and use their numbers to make more confident decisions about pricing, spending, profitability, and growth. Creative businesses face a unique challenge: the work that generates revenue often gets the most attention, while the financial infrastructure supporting it gets pushed aside. A designer may have a full calendar but very little cash available. An illustrator may have several profitable projects but no clear picture of which clients generate the best return. A studio owner may increase sales without realizing that expenses are growing faster than revenue. This webinar explores the space between making money and building a financially sustainable business.
Presenter:
Ayanna Jones
Founder of SolarPencil | Financial Systems & Business Operations Consultant
Ayanna Jones believes that creativity and good business should go hand in hand. With more than a decade of experience in accounting, operations, human resources, and project management, Ayanna helps creative entrepreneurs build the financial and operational foundations they need to run successful, sustainable businesses.But her connection to the creative community goes beyond her professional experience.
A longtime art supporter and collector, Ayanna has spent more than a decade building relationships with artists and supporting the work they create. She understands that behind every creative business is a person balancing their passion, livelihood, clients, and the many responsibilities that come with running a business.
Through her company, SolarPencil, Ayanna brings a practical, thoughtful approach to bookkeeping, financial systems, and business operations. She enjoys helping business owners untangle complicated processes, organize their finances, and create systems that make running a business easier and more rewarding.
Her philosophy is simple: artists and creative entrepreneurs should have the freedom to focus on what they do best, without feeling overwhelmed by the business behind it. Whether she’s helping a business understand its numbers, improve its workflows, or build a better foundation for growth, Ayanna’s goal is always the same: to make the business side of creativity a little less complicated.
Because making great work is only part of building a great business.
18nov7:00 pm8:30 pmShow Off & TellShow off, Share, and Schmooze with the Graphic Artists Guild!
Time
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp. All
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp.
All creatives are welcome. Whether you want to show off your work (and enjoy some oohs and ahhs), or just participate in the tell part, come and schmooze with us!
Got new stickers in your store? Working on a website? Designing a business card? Come share with us!
We meet monthly at 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT).
Sign up for one event, or as many as you’d like!
Limited space available.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
02dec7:00 pm8:00 pmTown HallGET YOUR FEELINGS OUT
Time
Event Details
GET YOUR FEELINGS OUT Come one, come all, members and non-members of the Graphic Artists Guild, and professional creative community! We want to have honest discussions about the state of our
Event Details
GET YOUR FEELINGS OUT
Come one, come all, members and non-members of the Graphic Artists Guild, and professional creative community! We want to have honest discussions about the state of our industry. Increased job loss, displacement from AI, rampant copyright infringement, a competitive gig economy with even narrower margins and universally rising material costs, the creative community is getting squeezed hard right now from all sides. We don’t need an elephant in the room, we need to find real solutions to our shared concerns.
We at The Guild understand the realities of working small business creatives, and want to know what you are up against so we can become the advocates you need in a Trade Organization. Our community is comprised of working creatives helping to drive small business, non-profits, and higher ed.
Your lived experience in navigating this challenging time allows us the opportunity to share our available resources to support the community. From creative community support, to advocating on Capitol Hill for your creative rights, to helping you negotiate a contract concern, The Graphic Artists Guild is here to help you thrive in your creativity.
Learn what we’re working on, how we can help you right now, and how you can get involved! Our monthly town hall is facilitated by the South Region Rep, Lennie Gray.
06dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
13dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
16dec7:00 pm8:30 pmShow Off & TellShow off, Share, and Schmooze with the Graphic Artists Guild!
Time
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp. All
Event Details
Join us for our informal monthly gathering to show off some recent work, get feedback on works in progress, or do some fun drawing exercises to keep your skills sharp.
All creatives are welcome. Whether you want to show off your work (and enjoy some oohs and ahhs), or just participate in the tell part, come and schmooze with us!
Got new stickers in your store? Working on a website? Designing a business card? Come share with us!
We meet monthly at 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT).
Sign up for one event, or as many as you’d like!
Limited space available.
20dec1:00 pmFreelance FandangoVirtual Meet-Up for All Creatives
Time
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the
Event Details
Every Sunday 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 11 a.m MT / 10 a.m. PT
Cartoonists, illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, writers, creatives: Freelance Fandango is going virtual for the duration, and everyone is invited!
Freelance Fandango started out as get-together of freelance creatives in the Tacoma area. Now FF has gone virtual. They’ve invited the Guild to sponsor them and spread the word. Join Freelance Fandango for a Zoom meeting to share your experience and news. Show and tell is a regular feature, so have your art supplies handy and turn your webcam on.
***Freelance Fandango will not be held on major US Holidays.
