Artist Alley

Welcome to Mandel Fan Fest 2025! 

Select any image to learn more about these amazing artists and vendors.

501st Legion Everglades Squad — We are bad guys doing good in South Florida.

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Alison Wheeler — @FangirlFlail — Alison Wheeler, aka Fangirl Flail Cosplay, is a passionate cosplay advocate who believes cosplaying is a great way to support mental health through creativity and self-expression. Hand making most of her cosplays from upcycled materials including thrift store finds, bed sheets and even pool noodles, her cosplays range from sinister Sith Lords to a punk Beetlejuice. Alison believes cosplay fosters creativity and confidence – and is thrilled to be at Mandel Fan Fest.

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Anthony Burks — anthonyburkscollection.com — Anthony Burks is among the most unique conceptual artists in America, known for his mixed-media pieces using colored pencils, watercolor, and ink and characterized by his unusual choice of colors. Whether depicting birds, animals or people, his works explore themes of strength and beauty in nature and culture. A mentor and arts advocate, he co-founded A.T.B. Fine Artists & Designers, where he curates shows for other artists. He also continues to exhibit and curate across Florida and beyond.

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Fostered Comics — fosteredcomics.com — Fostered Comics inspires creativity in children impacted by the child welfare system by collecting and distributing comics, books, toys, and art supplies to local foster and adopted children. Their free events include superhero meet-and-greets, DJs, and art activities. Their mission: to spark joy and imagination through reading and art.

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Freddy Hennevelt — hennevelts.com — Creating art since childhood and largely self taught, Freddy Hennevelt has explored various mediums over his career and now primarily focuses on sculpting and painting fantasy and wildlife. Drawing inspiration from nature hikes in Europe and America, Freddy captures wildlife through sketches and photographs, where fantasy art allows boundless creativity. He co-founded Hennevelt’s Gallery, where he sells his art online, at shows and through commissions, and also teaches sculpture at the Mandel Public Library, where he shares his passion for art and storytelling with others.

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Gabrielle Howard — californiablendsart.com — Gabrielle Howard is a comic book creator and artist who began selling her superhero-inspired art at age 15 at local comic conventions and quickly expanded to showcase her work across the United States. Combining her love of storytelling and visual art, she founded Californiablend to showcase her creative vision. In 2021, she self-published her comic series Luminous Sage, which follows the journey of a bioluminescent on a mission to restore the ocean's health. Her work combines storytelling, faith, and artistic passion, earning her recognition at conventions across the U.S.

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Heidi Hess — heidicreates.net — Heidi Hess is an author, editor, and artist with a love for dark fiction. Her latest short story collection The Chronicles of Chaos joins her debut, The Short End of Madness. She also edits for Cosmic Times Publishing and contributes to local publications, including AroundWellington.com. Heidi is currently organizing the fourth annual Read It Write It Festival in Palm Beach County. She is most likely on her third cup of coffee (at whatever hour you read this).

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Itzet Marquez — itzetshop.com — At just 17, Itzet Marquez is a self-taught seamstress and entrepreneur with a passion for photography and film. You can often find her at local markets where she shares her creativity through handmade backpacks, jewelry, and accessories. When she’s not there, find her online where she posts about her 10 cats, her trips to Universal Studios and a behind-the-scenes look of her growing small business.

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Jay DeSilva — @jaydcollectibles — Jay DeSilva is a longtime toy dealer and founder of JayDCollectibles, “Home of the Hard to Find.” If you couldn’t find a toy in the ‘90s, it’s likely because Jay already bought it. With a focus on high-quality collectibles from Star Wars to Marvel Legends, Jay sells at conventions and online platforms like eBay, WhatNot, and Instagram. He’s been a trusted name in the hobby since the 1990s.

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Jeff Carroll — linktr.ee/jeffcarrolllinks — Jeff Carroll is a trailblazing Black sci-fi author that pioneered the Black speculative fiction movement, an award-winning filmmaker, and safe sex educator. His works span over 15 novels, multiple films, and comics, including the cult hit Gold Digger Killer. He is Called “The Anti-Playa” by the Sun-Sentinel, he is also known as Yo Jeff the Hip Hop Dating Coach where he promotes healthy relationships. Jeff is also a high school English teacher and lives in South Florida.

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Manny Cartoon — @mannycartoonstudio

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Martin T. Pierro — CosmicTimes.net — Martin T. Pierro began his entertainment career at the age of 12 by publishing a comic fanzine titled Metropolis Times (later renamed Cosmic Times). During the following years, he studied and worked in live theater, video, music, television, and film. In 2009, he returned to this first love: bringing his vast knowledge of the entertainment industry to his current work in the field of comic book production. Beyond his duties as publisher/editor, Martin created and wrote Cosmic Times' first series Arthur: The Legend as well as the critically successful series of one-shots - Decisions. Under his leadership, Comic Times has grown to become a well-known indie comic publisher known for a wide array of diverse titles.

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Mei O’Malley — instagram.com/thedoormann — Born in China and raised in the United States, Mei O’Malley is a West Palm Beach-based comic artist with a background in fine arts from institutions like Armory Art Center, Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Maryland Institute College of Art. When not working at a veterinary hospital, Mei is busy working on their passion project called 5050, a comic about young adult life in Florida. They draw on a refurbished iPad using Procreate, fueled by humor and heart.

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Naomi Francisco — Instagram.com/milans_mind — Naomi Francisco is a multidisciplinary artist from Riviera Beach, Florida. Working across digital media, painting, and crochet, she explores personal and cultural narratives through texture, color, and form. A studio art major at the University of South Florida, Naomi has been creating art for more than a decade, continuously evolving her practice to reflect both intimate experiences and broader community connections.

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Nickie Hennevelt — tinydoors.org — Nickie Hennevelt, a sixth-generation Floridian, has been immersed in art since childhood, marking her first sale at just nine-years-old. Nickie is now a full-time artist, educator, and arts advocate passionate about infusing creativity into the community. She co-founded Hennevelt’s Gallery and founded Tiny Doors West Palm Beach, and is frequently found teaching diverse art classes at the Mandel Public Library and workshops at The Peach. She also advocates for the arts through the No More Starving Artists Foundation. A true creative force, Nickie inspires others through her art, teaching, and even her passion for all things Disney.

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RetroHouse Comics — retrohousecomics.com

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Sarah Seado — lorianhollow.com — Sarah Seado is a rising voice in gothic fiction, known for her supernatural thriller series The Houses of Lorian Hollow, a hauntingly lyrical supernatural thriller. Her debut, The Soundtrack to Your Scream, introduced readers to her lyrical prose and genre-blending style. Seado’s captivating storytelling and emotionally rich characters have earned her recognition at book festivals, events and workshops across Florida.

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Tiffany Young-Proano — oktayo.com — Tiffany Young-Proano is a digital and glass artist first inspired at a young age by Japanese anime classics like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. Her passion for anime and creativity led her to launch an online art shop featuring her unique, anime-inspired works. While she enjoys exploring new media, her current focus blends digital techniques with vibrant, expressive designs.

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Tim Guillen — https://www.discogs.com/user/dj_coin_laundry — After collecting vinyl and cassettes for years, Tim Guillen decided to start selling from his collection, which specializes in electronic, instrumental rock, and folk. He began collecting in the late ’90s while attending Florida State University and has since built a reputation among collectors. Tim shares his passion through online selling and local music communities.

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comic drawing of wizard casting spell

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