In Fall 2024, William & Mary Libraries invited students to use visual media to explore an instance of student activism for the inaugural W&M Libraries Draw the Line Comics Contest.
This week, we celebrated the winners of the contest; Icarus Landaker ‘27, Kara Park ’26, Rachel Kwon ‘26, and Fátima Vidal Rivera ‘26. Students, faculty, and staff gathered on Wednesday, February 5th, to view the brand-new exhibit displaying their comics in the lobby of Swem Library and to hear the artists talk about their inspiration.
Research & Instruction Librarians and organizers of the contest, Rachel Hogan and Liz Bellamy, kicked off the reception by thanking everyone involved in the execution of the contest, including library staff, faculty who helped judge submissions, and VCU Libraries who inspired the project with their own annual comics contest.
The theme of the 2024-25 contest (student activism) was inspired by the work and legacy of Marilyn Kaemmerle ‘45, a William & Mary student who spoke out against segregation at the university. In February 1945, The Flat Hat published an editorial by editor-in-chief Marilyn Kaemmerle, entitled “Lincoln’s Job Half-Done....” She called for Black students to be permitted to attend William & Mary as equals to all other students and for work to be done to “educat[e] ourselves away from the idea of White Supremacy.” The article caused immediate controversy and led to Kaemmerle’s forced resignation from the Flat Hat. Learn more about her legacy and work.
In the Draw the Line Comics Contest, the winning submissions explored instances of student activism that represented their personal identities and experiences and expressed the activism work that is still left undone.
Submissions were judged by Rachel Hogan, Liz Bellamy, Associate Dean for Collections and Content Services Laura Morales, Associate Chair of Art & Art History and Associate Professor of Art John Lee, and Director of Creative Writing and Associate Professor of English Jon Pineda.
Visit the Draw the Line Comics Contest in the lobby of Swem Library until May 31st, 2025. Icarus Landaker’s comic will also be available in the short story dispenser in Swem Library. To view the winning submissions online, visit our Comics Contest Repository Collection.
The Winners
Best Overall: Icarus Landaker for “Safety Pin” A story of students protesting for the protection of trans rights in Virignia schools
Best Story: Fátima Vidal Rivera for “Protests at the University of Puerto Rico” A story of student protests to fight colonialism and cultural erasure
Best Visuals: Rachel Kwon and Kara Park for “APIA: A Major Success in Student Activism” a story of the Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Studies Program at William & Mary inspired by 1990s-era student activism