Comics Club opens for next generation of artists and writers

Published On Fri 26 Feb 2016 by Grant Hill

Dundee Comics Creative Space (DCCS) will next week launch a new after-school workshop for aspiring artists and writers who dream of creating the next Desperate Dan, Ms Marvel, or Jake and Finn.

The first Comics Club will take place at the DCCS studio in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, from 4.30-6.30pm on Tuesday, 1st March. The Club will take place each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The workshops are free and open to all, whether the youngsters are artists, writers or simply interested in learning about comics, and regardless of previous experience. All materials will be provided on Tuesdays, which are aimed at 10-13-year-olds, and Wednesdays, for 14-17-year-olds, while each Thursday will be a book club night where all participants are invited to bring along comics to discuss.

Comics Club participants can work on projects with the in-house comics experts or on their own creations with help from the team. The first 10-week block of workshops will see the youngsters work towards a publication and exhibition of the comics created in the space.

DCCS Coordinator Damon Herd said, “Comics can be about anything – space battles, superheroes, fantasy, even journalism and true life stories. We welcome all styles of comics here at DCCS.

“Watchmen co-creator and DCCS patron Dave Gibbons has talked about the value of what we are doing here. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to work in comics and wished he’d had access to people who knew how to create them and were happy to share their knowledge with him. That’s what we are trying to create at DCCS – somewhere that young people can be inspired and helped to follow their passion and realise their talent.”

DCCS is a new social enterprise and studio project developed by the University of Dundee in collaboration with The Rank Foundation and the Dundee Place Partnership Scheme. The aim is to provide educational workshops and creative opportunities for various age groups (mainly secondary school age but also primary 6 and 7) and to encourage creative learning through comics.

Art Director Phillip Vaughan added, “We have a really exciting team of facilitators working in the space and they are keen to start working with young comics creators in the community, and to welcome anyone with an interest in comics.”

More information is available at www.dundeecomicscreativespace.com, www.facebook.com/DundeeComicsCreativeSpace/, and www.twitter.com/DundeeComicsCS.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk