2026 Cupcake Award Winners

We’re very excited to announce the 10th annual Cupcake Award Winners: Jesus Blanco & Nasa Espinoza! Jesus will be mentored by Liz Sux, and Nasa will be mentored by Maddie Dennis. Thank you for volunteering as mentors, Liz and Maddie.

Jesus Blanco has decided to stay in Dekalb, IL for the time being. He likes to make neurotic comics about his fading, diasporic Mexican community nestled in the rural Midwest, but more importantly, he wants to make you laugh. Follow Jesus: @samerowisleader on Instagram, @issamerow on Bluesky, jesusblancoillustration.carrd.co

Nasa Espinoza is a cartoonist and printmaker, with a Texan soul that made their way into Chicago. They spend their time making comics that explore the quiet aspects of life, and mixing the right shade of pink. Follow Nasa: @nostalgicnasa on Instagram, espinnasa.com

The jury had a hard time selecting just two winners out of this year’s stellar applicant pool, and want to shout out some additional honorable mentions:

  • Alesha Williams

  • Alexandra Gallant-Lee

  • Anna Strzepek

  • Cam Collins

  • Cesario "Cee" Lavery

  • Kit Montgomery

  • melonfarm

  • Nicole Rodrigues

  • Sadie Levine

  • Sidne K. Gard

  • STEIN

Special thanks to this year’s jury: Mili St. John, Kevin Budnik, Kat Park, and Alex O’Keefe.

Keep an eye out for CAKE 2027, where Jesus and Nasa will debut their work 🧁

Charles Cake