Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris “Uncle Staple” Nicholas.
Hi Chris “Uncle Staple”, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is an annual event in Austin that features independent creators of comics, zines, art, crafts and games. It’s a way for those creatives to connect with each other, and with an audience who appreciate their work.
A brief history: Back in ’03 a friend and I started self-publishing our own comic books. In our efforts to get them into people’s hands we met a lot of other folks around Austin and other Texas cities who’d been doing the same thing, some of them for years. The main way for these creators to distribute their work was by tabling at conventions. At that time the conventions that focused on independent comics and art were few, and located in other, far away cities, thus incurring costs of travel and lodging on top of any convention fees. I soon realized that there was plenty of talent locally and regionally so why not just have the show here?
I gathered some interested folks and we took about a year to plan the first STAPLE!, and held it at the old Elk’s Lodge in March of 2005. It went better than expected, and with the exception of a five year pandemic break, has continued to grow and evolve.
One of the most important evolutions is our mission to provide informative and educational programming during the event that is useful to folks interested in pursuing a creative career. We’ve been able to upload a lot of those panels and presentations to our YouTube channel, so they are available to everyone for free!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finding affordable event space in Austin has always been a challenge, and we’ve had to move the show to a variety of locations since it started. We’re very fortunate that St. Edward’s has been a gracious host for the last two years. The staff & faculty there are outstanding and very supportive of the STAPLE! mission. Looking forward to our next show there on April 11 & 12, 2026!
The pandemic of course put everything on hold. Venues were closed and it wasn’t safe to gather. As that situation changed, it wasn’t clear to me how to move forward until a faculty member at St. Ed’s who was a fan of STAPLE! reached out and invited me to check out their space. Needless to say it has worked out great!
Another big challenge in a city as replete with entertainment options as Austin is cutting through the noise to get the word out to folks and let them know that STAPLE! exists. This was compounded as people moved away, and new folks who weren’t aware of it arrived.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the founder and lead organizer of STAPLE! my work is mainly communication and logistics. Getting the word out and getting everything set up to run as smoothly as possible. Making sure everything is working behind the scenes so that the creators can shine.
STAPLE! is about building community and celebrating independent creators. No celebrities or movie stars there, just lots of talented folks making awesome stuff. Over the years it’s gained a reputation as having a great atmosphere and being one of, if not the, friendliest comic con in the country.
I’m proud of the community that’s arisen out of it and am touched and inspired by the reaction we’ve received. My favorite thing is when someone goes as an attendee, gets inspired to make something, and then gets their own table at the show the next year.
What matters most to you?
Fostering the open spirit of community among the artists and fans. Providing programming and resources useful for folks pursuing creative endeavors. Keeping STAPLE! affordable for the creators who set up there, and for the attendees (so they still have money to buy the art from the artists).
The next STAPLE! will be held in the Mabee Ballroom at St. Edward’s University on April 11 & 12, 2026.
For more info go to www.staple-austin.org, Follow us on social media and sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://staple-austin.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stapleexpoaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stapleaustin
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stapleexpo.bsky.social
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unclestaple/videos
- Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/170855769@N03/
Image Credits
Amy Jones
