Comics Workshop Activities

Here’s what we do during workshops & residencies..

Of course, we can always adjust plans to suit your needs!

DEMO SCHEDULES:
1-Day | Multi-Day

BEFORE your COMICS WORKSHOP = Preview topics & activities with students.

OPENING (INTRO) ASSEMBLY:

• [20-60 minutes] [usually in auditorium / library / gym / cafeteria / other large space]
• Introducing Marek, his artwork, some basic cartooning concepts & guidelines for the residency, and the overall schedule.
• (digital projector required)

WORKSHOPS: 

• [30-90 minutes per session]
• [1-2 classrooms combined / 12-30 students]
• [in classrooms / art room / library / other central location]
• Recommended = 3-5 sessions with each group.

INDEPENDENT WORK TIME:

Time between workshop sessions (in class or at home) for:

• drawing more pages
• doing research
• peer conferencing / feedback sessions (see below) 

FEEDBACK SESSIONS:

• Marek & volunteer artists read aloud from each other’s works-in-progress, as part of the P*I.E. Process.
• + Discussion
• + Revising & editing as needed.
• Feedback sessions occur as part of our WORKSHOP times, too.

READINGS & RESEARCH:

Some projects will require access to research materials & time for students to:

• Formulate questions & find answers
• Locate & study primary sources (esp. historical photos & artwork)
• Read other artists’ work, looking for ideas (= always a good way to take a break from a long, involved project!)

CLOSING ASSEMBLY:

• [30-60 minutes]
• [same place as opening assembly]  
• (digital projector required)
• 1+ assemblies (whole group, or by grade levels / grouped as appropriate) to highlight artwork by participants (finished comics or works in progress)!

OPTIONAL: Groups may want to celebrate completed projects with:

• Classroom publishing party: Students work together to fold / cut / staple / etc. copies of finished mini-comics.
• Comics Convention: Artists sit at tables with extra copies of their finished projects, signing them & giving them out to new readers (visiting classes & groups).