Bodypainting artist Mark Greenawalt will pay tribute to the late science-fiction author Robert A. Heinlein this Saturday at the 32nd Annual LepreCon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. Greenawalt will be recreating the artwork from several Heinlein novels on live nude models to promote awareness of the blood drive held by the Heinlein Society from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm.
Heinlein readers will recall that the National Rare Blood Club was an integral part of his novel I WILL FEAR NO EVIL and, in an appendix to the novel, he informed his readers that the organization he had written about actually existed and deserved their support. Mr. Heinlein traveled extensively to promote this important cause and frequently donated himself. This same novel referenced the use of bodypaint as clothing and featured a cover with nude model painted blue with white stars. This will be one of the covers brought to life through Greenawalt’s body art.
Robert Heinlein organized a blood drive in 1976 at MidAmericon, the 34th World Science Fiction Convention, with the help of other science fiction devotees and well-known authors. It started a tradition that has been carried on throughout countless conventions in his memory. This year the United Blood Services of Phoenix will be on hand at the Embassy Suites at I-17 and Greenway with hopes of exceeding donations from previous years.
Greenawalt’s bodypaintings have appeared in numerous national magazines and his clients have included Maxim, Playboy, Budweiser, and Camel. He is a fan of science fiction and has been a featured artist for the past several years at LepreCon as well as other conventions such as CopperCon, the Phoenix Film Festival, and San Diego’s ComicCon. His website at Future ClassX has an extensive portfolio of his intriguing art form.
LepreCon 32 – The 32nd Annual LepreCon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
May 5-7, 2006 at the Embassy Suites Phoenix North,
2577 W. Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ
Sponsored by Leprecon, Inc. an Arizona non-profit organization.
Full Official Details on the CON are listed below:
LepreCon 32 is the annual Arizona science fiction and fantasy convention with a strong emphasis on science fiction and fantasy art as well as science fiction and fantasy Film, literature, anime, and gaming.
LepreCon is an annual gathering of fans of science fiction and fantasy that has been happening in Arizona for over 30 years. Many artists, authors, scientists and others will be participating throughout the weekend with discussion panels, presentations, mass autograph session and more. We will be having an art show of several hundred pieces, the LepreCon Film Festival, Gaming, a track of film-making panels, a Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive & body painting (with Mark Greenawalt painting professional models to match up with classic Heinlein cover art), a charity auction to benefit The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA), and many other activities. The convention runs over three days, starting Friday afternoon and running through late Sunday afternoon. Many local groups are paticipating including The United Federation of Phoenix Star Trek club, The Phoenix Filk Circle, TARDIS, and The Southwest Costumer’s Guild.
Main guests appearing at the convention:
Artist Guest of Honor Alan M. Clark
Author Guest of Honor John Vornholt
Special Media Guest Bill Blair – The Alien Actor
Local Artist Guest of Honor Gilead
Music Guest Bill Laubenheimer
Special Tribute to Ray Gish
Many other local and national artists and authors will also be appearing including artists Mark Greenawalt, Pamelina H., Sarah Clemens, Liz Danforth, Susan ‘Dr. Arizona’ Gleason, Michelle Ellington, authors Lee Hogan/Emily Devenport, Ernest Hogan, Janeen O’Kerry, Adam Niswander, Diana L. Paxson, and Michelle M. Welch, We’ll also have ASU Planetary Geologist Dr. David Williams talking about the current NASA Planetary missions and Space Historian Hugh Gregory who will talk about other countries space activities. Michael R. Mennenga and Evo Terra of the popular science fiction podcasts & radio talk shows The Dragon Page and Slice of SciFi will also be appearing at the convention.
Events and activities highlights (A full schedule will be available at the LepreCon Website).
Friday: Meet the Pros reception, Artists’ Fingerpainting, Sci-Fi Jeopardy, Art Show Walk Through with Guests Alan M. Clark and Gilead, Modern Dance presented by ConFusion, and Filk Circle
Saturday: Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive and
Body Painting, Q&A with Bill Blair, Filk Concert with
Bill Laubenheimer, Space Science Update, Charity
Auction, Masquerade Ball, Filk Circle
Sunday: Movie Previews, ASFA Regional Meeting, Art Auction, Group Autographing
In addition, the following events are tentatively planned for sometime during the weekend:
There will be a weekend-long track of panels on making a short film including costuming and SFX make-up, scripting, and filming. There will be weekend-long tracks of art demonstrations and workshops including artist and family fingerpainting sessions, and modeling and
sculpting demos.
Ongoing throughout the convention: Hospitality Suite, Dealer’s room, Art Show, Gaming (Role Playing, Collectible Cards, Live Action Role Playing), and the LepreCon Film Festival.
Hours:
Friday 2 pm to 1 am, Saturday 10 am to 1 am,
Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Memberships:
Adults $45 for the entire weekend, $40
Sat/Sun. Daily rates are $20 Friday Only, $35
Saturday only, $10 Sunday only, Kids 7-12 half price-
Kids 6 and under free with adult membership
Location: Embassy Suites Phoenix North, 2577 W. Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ
