Storytelling can take many forms from the oral tradition to the written word. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Nelson Public Library, budding and experienced cartoonists from ages seven to 100 can learn to tell better stories through comics. Cartoonist and illustrator Adam de Souza will lead two free workshops, one for children at 3:30 p.m. and one for teens and adults at 7 p.m.
In his workshop, Telling a Story in Four Panels, de Souza will show kids how to use the classic comic strip format as the basis for telling any kind of story. De Souza says, “Whether you love manga, superheroes or Garfield, this workshop will be a helpful reminder of the basics of writing your own comic!” This workshop for ages seven to 12 runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
De Souza’s workshop for teens and adults, Beginning with an Ending: Understanding Your Own Comic, is all about knowing where the story is headed.
“We cartoonists get so excited by our cool characters, ideas, conflicts and moments that we forget to think where a story is headed.”
The workshop will include a series of comic book storytelling exercises to identify what’s important in a story and help guide the creative process. To register email Heather at hgoldik@nelson.ca. The workshop for teens and adults starts at 7 p.m.
The workshops are sponsored by Vancouver Comics Arts Festival (VanCAF) to get more hands-on arts workshops and interaction with working artists to people outside the larger cities. “These workshops also provide more opportunities for under-served B.C. based creators to expand their own impact on the B.C. arts scene” says VanCAF education co-ordinator Isabella Laird. “We’re excited to see what people create in these workshops!”
De Souza has illustrated children’s books such as The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers by Jen Campbell and The Human Kaboom by Adam Rubin. He is currently working on his award-winning online comic strip Blind Alley as well as an unannounced YA graphic novel with Tundra Books.