ARTS Castlebar’s teenage comic-book heroes

AT THE DRAWING BOARD?Creating comic strips at The Linenhall.

Castlebar’s teenage comic-book heroes

Anton McNulty

Words often paint a picture, and a picture can say a thousand words. Blend the two, and you have one powerful tool for communicating a message. Kawaii Comics, a group of young comics creators in Castlebar, is testament to this.
This autumn, the group of teens came together to work with Achill-based artist Maeve Clancy. The idea? To explore graphic reportage and the use of comic form as a mode of expression in non-fiction contexts.
Over eight weeks, the group explored the nuts and bolts of graphic reportage, including story writing, character design, comic layout, preparing roughs, finishing art work, and the use of graphics-editing software. Mayo News journalist Ciara Moynihan also provided a session on journalistic research and interview techniques, which the teens found highly informative.
At the core of the project was the creation of a comic, which profiles a selection of organisations available to young people in Co Mayo. The comic features the work of six of the Kawaii Comics members, and the organisations featured are Castlebar Order of Malta, Snugboro Scouts, Comhairle na nÓg, Mayo Youth Orchestra, Round Tower Foróige and the Castlebar NoName Club.
From the outset the project received much interest, and the organisations involved were very generous with their input and support. Davitt College very generously provided access to its computer facilities for the technical session with the group.
Having spent some time with the young artists, Ciara Moynihan was impressed with the work in progress that she saw. “The work I saw was exceptional, and the level of interest they showed in reporting and interviewing was truly heartening. The concept of comic reportage is a very interesting one, and it’s great to see the next generation embracing storytelling through a blend of words and visuals. A massive well done to all in Kawaii Comics, and to Maeve Clancy,” she said.
Orla Henihan, Arts Access Officer, Linenhall Arts Centre, was also full of praise for the initiative: “This was a fantastic project, and a wonderful opportunity for the Kawaii Comics members to work with a professional practising artist in the field of graphic reportage.
“We were delighted to support them in securing funding for the project through the Arts Council’s Young Ensembles Scheme, which aims to support groups of young people between the ages of 12 and 23 to create ambitious and original work together in any art form. It was a joy to have such focused creative work going on each Saturday in our Community Arts Room here at the Linenhall Arts Centre, and the group were a real pleasure to work with.”
Kawaii Comics are Patrick Corless, Lee Davitt, Melissa Duffy, Anna Dreimane, Jane Faull, Jason Gallagher, Chloe Hawe, Emily Nolan, Amy Ruane, and Rebekah Ryan.

An exhibition of large-format prints of the comic is being presented at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, from Saturday, December 13, to the end of January 2015. The official launch of the comic and the exhibition takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Saturday, December 13, at 3.30pm. All are welcome.