Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) is making some changes: They’ve brought on a new Festival Manager, Aleesha Nash, and are planning to move the festival’s date to Spring.
Nash was brought on part of a reorganization for the non-profit festival, and will be responsible for administrative activities including marketing, fund raising, grant management, and community outreach as well as working with CXC’s board, committees, volunteers, vendors and special guests.
As part of her mission, Nash will oversee the festival’s move from its traditional Fall date to a Spring date, with the next event planned for April 15-18, 2027.
My two cents: While the spring is also very crowded time for comics events, the fall dates posed significant challenges for the show, including conflicts with SPX and NYCC. Even more, the entire city of Columbus becomes obsessed with the Ohio State University football team’s schedule in the fall, and that posed logistical challenges.
CXC celebrated its eleventh year in 2025, and the festival takes over the rest of the town with exhibits, and the expo itself, including events at the Billy Ireland Museum, all celebrating the history of comics and small presses. Jeff Smith, one of the CXC founders, praised Nash in a statement. “So happy to announce Aleesha Nash is joining us at CXC. She is a creative member of our central Ohio community, and we look forward to entering our second decade with her!”
CXC board member Rafael Rosado added, “I’m delighted to welcome Aleesha to the CXC family. As an accomplished artist and storyteller, she brings the creativity and fresh perspective that will guide the festival to exciting new directions.”
A Columbus native, Nash has experience in stage and screen as well as administrative experience, and she was a writing fellow and character designer for Fred Rogers Productions. Nash currently teaches illustration at Columbus College of Art and Design and creative writing through UCLA Extension. .
