This series of events will look at how comics and zines can be tools of expression whilst improving literacy and overall wellbeing. During the week you can drop in and take part in a workshop with Comics Youth, take a look at comics created by young people and find out more about the mental health and wellbeing impacts comics can have.
Wednesday 17 October 11.00-17.00: 'How are you feeling today?' Minicomics workshop
Comic book making workshop that will explore movements in mental health and how this makes us feel.
Thursday 18 October 10.00-17.00: Graphic Narrative workshop
Drop in, draw and write about how you feel about mental health services within the Liverpool City Region.
Friday 19 October 10.00-17.00: Isolation Zine workshop
Zines or ‘DIY magazines’ can be about anything. This drop in workshop will provide inspiration and instruction on how to create submissions for our ‘Isolation’ zine, to be published in the New Year. Join us to learn how to make your own zine using a mixture of folding techniques, drawing, writing and collage.
Saturday 20 October 10.00-17.00: Isolation Zine workshop
Themed around Isolation we will explore the questions, What does Isolation mean to you? Why does isolation affect mental health? What steps can we take to reduce isolation? Using the medium of zine making to explore and communicate personal ideas, thoughts and feelings.
Saturday 20th October 11.30-12.45: Graphic Novels with Bryan and Mary Talbot
Come and hear collaborative writers, Costa award-winners Bryan and Mary Talbot, demonstrate the power of the graphic novel to communicate complex material in an accessible way. Emotionally charged biographical details, tangled historical events or the contemporary challenges of climate change – whatever the subject, the graphic novel’s unique combination of word and image can render it compelling. Book a place here.
Sunday 21 October 10.00-17:00: 7 Hour Comic Challenge
Contribute towards a 24-page comic book story about the potential impact comic book creation and arts therapy can have on the mental health of young people.
About Illustrating Futures
Illustrating Futures is a collaboration between University of Liverpool and Comics Youth. Comics Youth deliver comic and zine workshops for disadvantaged children and young people aged 8 - 25 within Merseyside and Knowsley. The workshops aim to help young people improve their literacy and overall wellbeing, and provide them with the tools to express themselves. David Hering is a Lecturer in Contemporary Literature at the University of Liverpool who has taught and convened classes on the history of comics and graphic novels.