On Sunday, November 23, 2025, the Chicago Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) gathered for its annual holiday celebration at the iconic Chief O’Neill’s on Elston. Known for its warm Irish hospitality and rich Chicago history, the venue once again served as the perfect backdrop for an afternoon filled with art, laughter, and the timeless camaraderie of cartoonists.

This year’s festivities were organized by the chapter leadership team: Johnny Sampson (Chair), Matt Hansel (Vice Chair), and Rich Cruz (Henchman).
Their goal was simple: to create an event that blended creativity, community, and a sense of joyful mischief. And judging by the smiles in the room, they succeeded.

Memory, Mischief, and “Mandatory Fun”

The party opened with the distribution of Mandatory Fun activity books, designed to test both the artistic instincts and nostalgic recall of attendees. Each booklet challenged participants to draw classic and beloved characters – such as Pogo, Nancy, Betty Boop, and Linus – entirely from memory, along with a self-portrait in their own style.

The results? A delightful blend of accuracy, embellishment, and “creative approximations.” Laughter filled the room as cartoonists compared how much (or how little) they remembered about the nuances of these iconic characters.

It served as a playful reminder that even seasoned professionals can be surprised by what their muscle memory retains and what it hilariously forgets.

Click here to access some PDF files of the notebooks: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JVvVK3-h02LUkWOjNV-uC0eFhb8ROqKV?usp=sharing

Chalk Talks, Blindfolds, and Big Applause

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the chalk-talk session facilitated by Johnny and including the talents of Matt Hansel, John Hambrock, George Gant, and Bruce Quast. Using a giant pad of paper as their stage, they performed live drawings both in the traditional fashion and completely blindfolded.

The blindfolded sketches, in particular, brought waves of laughter and awe. Watching talented cartoonists attempt to create characters without seeing the page was a testament to both their skill and their willingness to embrace the unexpected.

Here are some images:

Spotlight on the Artists

Each attendee was invited to submit up to three pieces of their artwork for a curated slideshow. Johnny Sampson put together a quick slideshow presentation on the spot. He guided the showcase, giving every artist up to 90 seconds to share the stories, techniques, or surprises behind their featured work.

The diversity of styles – from comic strips and character designs to editorial cartoons and experimental illustration – highlighted the depth of talent within the Chicago chapter. This open-mic-style format let everyone shine, whether they were long-time professionals or newer voices in the community.

A Feast, Fellowship, and the Spirit of the Season

As with every NCS gathering, the art was only half the story; the fellowship made up the rest. Members spent the afternoon reconnecting, swapping stories, sharing appetizers, and enjoying a hearty meal of what can best be described as haute Irish cuisine.

There were toasts, laughs, and conversations that drifted joyfully between craft, career, memories, and pure silliness… precisely what a holiday gathering of cartoonists should be.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 holiday party reflected everything that makes the Chicago Chapter special: creativity, generosity, humor, and a shared passion for the art of cartooning. As we move into 2026, the chapter looks forward to more opportunities to create, collaborate, and continue enriching Chicago’s vibrant cartoonist community.

Here’s to another year of imagination, ink, and inspiration with the NCS Chicago Chapter!