12/17/2025
Aleesha Nash has been named Festival Manager for Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC), the citywide festival celebrating cartoon art that celebrated its eleventh year in September. CXC recently reorganized to create this position which is responsible for administrative activities of the non-profit including marketing, fund raising, grant management, and community outreach as well as working with CXC’s board, committees, volunteers, vendors and special guests.
“So happy to announce Aleesha Nash is joining us at CXC,” said Jeff Smith, creator of the popular BONE graphic novel series and one of the founders of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus. “She is a creative member of our central Ohio community, and we look forward to entering our second decade with her!”
Columbus native Nash’s commitment to storytelling is evidenced by her artistic work which ranges from stage and screen to animation and includes serving as a writing fellow and character designer for Fred Rogers Productions. She has extensive administrative experience in event promotion, marketing and grant writing. Nash currently teaches illustration at Columbus College of Art and Design and creative writing through UCLA Extension.
CXC board member Rafael Rosado emailed, “I’m delighted to welcome Aleesha to the CXC family. As an accomplished artist and storyteller, she brings the creativity and fresh perspective that will guide the festival to exciting new directions.”
Nash begins work January 1. Because of fall scheduling challenges, CXC is moving to a spring festival date, with its next expo scheduled for April 15-18, 2027. Nash will take an active role in reworking the event’s festival calendar and expanding CXC programming.
