The St. Louis Independent Comics Expo (SLICE) is back for its third year of arts programming. The expo will return to The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries on October 18, 2025, with monthly events and workshops leading to the expo beginning in April.

SLICE is St. Louis’s premier annual indie-print showcase, bringing together writers, artists, poets, and printmakers from St. Louis and beyond to showcase their self-published books, comics, zines, magazines, poetry, and more. As a nonprofit organization, SLICE supports St. Louis’s small press community through workshops, artist meetups, and its annual expo to foster independent print culture in St. Louis.

SLICE will kick off its third season with two free, public events in April. On April 12, join SLICE for a Portrait Drawing Party with Girl Louie at GemU Vintage, led by SLICE committee member Clarissa Stahl. On April 24, SLICE resumes its monthly Drink & Draw at Alamo Drafthouse City Foundry. Registrations for both events are now open.

Since relaunching in 2023 after STL SPEX’s three-year hiatus, SLICE has seen continuous growthin its programming and expo attendance. SLICE’s second year welcomed 900 attendees to the expo in October, where more than 100 artists from across North America exhibited their work.

SLICE’s slate of programming included collaborations with 22 local businesses and arts organizations, with more than 400 attendees total participating in events and workshops throughout the year. In addition to three special guests, SLICE invited three featured guests to participate in expo programming. SLICE also introduced the Local Best in Show Award presented by WashU’s MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture program.

Exhibitor applications for SLICE open on June 1 and will close on July 15. For more information and announcements on upcoming workshops, special guests, and more, visit SLICE’s website and follow SLICE on Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook.