The otherwise quiet Mary Idema Pew Library burst with life Sept. 26-28 as students celebrated Grand Valley State University’s annual Laker Con.
Attendees of all ages participated in the comic convention’s events, including panel discussions, presentations and workshops. Artist booths took over first-floor study areas, replacing text books with zines, jewelry, posters and comics created by students and alumni. While attendees browsed the artist market, submitted votes for a cosplay contest and listened to panels, alumni also joined in, imparting knowledge to the current generation of Lakers.
For Veronica Schoemer, a 2021 alum, returning to Laker Con was not only about showcasing her work, but encouraging students to value their creative purpose. She commented on working in the animation industry, and stressed the importance of staying true to yourself rather than following trends that can strip art of its character.
“Art is such an abstract thing, and it does get commercialized,” Schoemer said. “I think that’s when people start to compare themselves to others because they are trying to think about what the masses would like, but at the end of the day, what’s really going to set you apart from other people is being yourself.”
Schoemer’s values are reflected in her artwork, as each piece is filled with life and unique flair. Unlike the commercialized art styles she spoke of, Schoemer refuses to adhere to standards that jeopardize the essence of her work. For many students in attendance, Schoemer’s perspective offered reassurance they should trust their own artistic path.
That same philosophy was on display in the work of S’Niyah Tate, a student-artist whose comics and zines resist trends, and display her distinctive voice. Tate spoke on how her identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and her perspective as an African-American woman shape her work. She noted her art aims to fill gaps left by mainstream media.
“What inspired me with the comics was my want to see stories like mine being told,” Tate said. “Everything is from a white perspective, and you don’t have anything specifically (about) people of color who are queer. When you add more intersections, the harder it is to find things that show the beauty of your story.”
Her work challenges the narrow lens of representation she sees in the media. As a Detroit native, the move to West Michigan, an area with a drastically different racial and LGBTQ+ population, was a culture shock for Tate. She expressed there weren’t many spaces in the community that celebrated or acknowledged her identity. Through these experiences, she began writing to offer stories that highlight both joy and struggle in ways that can feel real and relatable, catering to her own needs, as well as others.
“Many queer representations are unrealistically positive or super depressing,” Tate said. “I wanted to be the middle ground that acknowledges homophobia, but demonstrates how we can overcome it.”
Schoemer’s reflections and Tate’s storytelling illustrate how Laker Con functions as more than an art fair. It is a gathering where individuality is celebrated and authenticity is encouraged. The event emphasized how students and alumni alike are resisting conformity in creative fields, using their work to challenge dominant narratives and inspire others to create with honesty and purpose.
In a time when art can often feel detached from lived experiences, Laker Con stood as a reminder of the power in staying true to one’s vision, and that sharing stories can lead communities to flourish.
