Our Summer Classes are Hot!

FYI - Even after two hours, students were still really involved. I asked our page (David) what he though and he felt that Darren was really good. He appreciated how knowledgeable he was regarding comic books in general, loved his "odd" examples, like how he taught in a really simple understandable way, gave really good comic strip examples of what he was talking about, and really simple step-by-step samples of how to turn simple shapes into dramatic figures etc. David thought the fact that Darren, someone in the field was doing the program and not a librarian made it so much more interesting (really like him as a presenter) [and] made them feel connected.

- Philecia Harris, Children's & Youth Adult Librarian at Silver Spring Library

Our classes have been nothing less than phenomenal this summer. With veterans Darren Soto and Keir Lyles and newcomers Tyrone Barnes, AWA has partnered with multiple non-profit and educational groups to use our comic book classes in the context of their own summer camps.

We partnered with Concerned Black Men and Savoy Elementary, Silver Spring Library, and Reading Camp Maryland. Whether creating real life superheroes or drawing characters all their own, the children thoroughly enjoyed our classes. And we've had fun as well! Check it out below.

Silver Spring Library - June 10, 2014

Using his patented teaching technique, Darren Soto shows kids how to create unique and dynamic characters. 

Savoy Elementary/Concerned Black Men - July 10, 2014

Focusing on real life heroes such as fire fighters and police officers, Keir Lyles provided students with coloring pages and taught them the fundamentals of drawing.

Reading Camp Maryland - July 14, 2014

After a fun and engaging one-day comic book class, Keir Lyles poses with his students. Tyrone Barnes instructs the same students in a lesson. 

There's still more to come! We have classes planned at Enoch Pratt and Bowie Library in September. Stay tuned!

Comic Strip Classroom!

Geppi's Entertainment Museum will host AWA's ​Comic Strip Classroom on July 19, 2014 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Come learn how to develop a story in three simple comic book panels from four established artists! Cost is included in paid admission for non-museum members and free for museum members. 

60 spots are available and reservations are recommended! Contact Andy Hershberger at handy@geppismuseum.com or call 410-625-7066 to register.

Geppi's presents all aspects of pop culture throughout American history in both an exciting and education manner that is unparralled. Come early for a chance to walk the museum before the event!

For more information, check out our press release here. 

UPDATE JULY 14, 2014

Due to unforeseen circumstances, AWA regrets to inform you that we must postpone our Comic Strip Class with Geppi Entertainment.  But don't worry! We have other events planned throughout the area, and fully intend to keep you up to date. 

After-School Program A Blast

A student hard at work learns
inking. 

When the bell rang at 3:00 PM signaling the end of the school day, some children deviated from their usual routine. Instead of going home to homework, television, or the computer, they stayed behind to discover and create their own world with just paper and pencil.

AWA recently completed three after-school programs in the DMV area. These programs - hosted at The SEED School and Savoy Elementary of SE Washington, DC; and John Hanson French Immersion of Temple Hills, MD - taught children the fundamentals of creating their own comic books and characters. In groups of ten, children not only learned basic drawing techniques, but also discussed what made their favorite characters unique and appealing.

Darren Soto provides instruction for the
game, "Who Am I?"

Instructors Keir Lyles and Darren Soto brought excited children into the world of art through set curriculum and engaging games. Soto presented the children at Savoy with two creating thinking drawing games called, “Who Am I?” and “3 Word Drawing.” During “Who am I?” a selected student came to the front and drew another person in the class. Other students had to follow along until someone guessed the selected subject. Students subtly realized they learned techniques to translate what they see into art and highlight the physical characteristics that make people unique.

In “3 Word Drawing,” Soto provided three random words that children must incorporate into their drawing in some way, shape, or form. This exercise taught creativity and forces students to think outside the box. It is one of the favorites of the class.

A student shows off his work.

We would like to thank all the amazing students for participating in this year’s after school program. We would also like to thank our partners with the school PTAs, Teachers, Program Directors, and Concerned Black Men. Most importantly, however, we would like the parents for allowing us a few hours after school with your fantastic kids. Your continued support is crucial to the success of our Programs, and we only have more to offer in the future. If you would like your child to discover art in an encouraging and fun environment, sign up for our Summer Camp today! Our first week of classes start June 23, and there is still room!

Awesome Con Recap

In only one short year, Washington D.C.’s premier three day comic book convention has grown leaps and bounds. The event, held at Walter E. Washington’s Convention Center, had thousands of fans come out to see artists, writers, and geek pop icons. Billie Piper (Doctor Who), actors from the Walking Dead, past Power Rangers, Sesame Street puppeteers, and a real life astronaut all brought joy to small and big kids alike.

Just as awesome as the down to earth guests were the original costumes and Cosplayers. Not only were there amazing costumes from comic books, but from manga, television, and other SciFi mediums as well. Parents even dressed up with their kids!

The Con allowed for great interactions and opportunities. Our friends at T.B.D. and Comic Cupcakes offered seven-minute drawings and beautiful superhero confectionery treats respectively. Artists like Chris Pyrate, Steve Conley, Ashley Gonzales, and Keir Lyles offered on the spot commissions and gorgeous prints for people of all ages, genders, orientation and, of course, interests.

But the highlight for AWA? Meeting Andrew Aydin and Congressman John Lewis of MARCH. The two graciously autographed copies of their best seller and interacted with their adoring fans. The duo was amazing to meet, and we hope our paths will cross again soon. All this would not have been possible without the efforts of Third Eye Comics and Awesome Conventions. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Awesome Con brings.

P.S. Our affiliates at Rockmere Comics were interviewed for about Awesome Con by the Washingon Hispanics, and we got a shout out! 

Awesome Con!

Join Us At: 

Booth Numbers T-5 and T-7

That's right! AWA will be at Awesome Con at the DC Convention Center April 18-20, 2014.

  

Come see our great artists in action (and leave with some of their work in tow!)

All Weekend: 

Ashley Gonzales

Darren Soto

Jamie Starr

Saturday: 

Special Guest Alejandro Bruzzese

Sunday: 

Face Painter Corey Morgan

And come see our friends, scattered throughout the Convention Center: 

Rockmere Comics - 422

PressPlay Entertainment - 422

Tyrone Barnes - E9

Keir Lyles - Apocrypha Comics - J-8
T.B.D. & Comic Cupcakes - L14
Chris Pyrate (at Third Eye Comics Booth on 4/19 signing featured summer shirts!) - 400

Get the map here.

Annapolis Book Festival

You've probably seen pictures on our Facebook about the event. (If not, go check them out here!) But we just had to tell you about the amazing time we had at the Key School!

Children gather around Phil Cho's while drawing at the Annapolis Book Fair. 

AWA was in the Comic Key section of the Book Fair. We had lovely artists selling their beautiful art, talks from Geppi Entertainment Museum and the Museum of Science Fiction, and art demos by Batman enthusiast Phil Cho (pictured above) and Character Design artist Darren Soto. We also had an area for kids to draw on paper or create their own Superhero Mask.

Great mask! 

Throughout the day, we met amazing people who showed their creativity and interest as soon as they walked through the door. We had three year old children who already knew their favorite superhero. There were mothers who walked their children through every character in the Bat Family. Fathers asked us for comic book recommendations - and even provided some of their own.

But the highlight of our day was definitely the Character Design Demo given by Darren Soto. Soto asked children to provide three words, and from there, would create characters based on the given vocabulary. When Soto challenged them to think outside the box with their words, they did not disappoint. "Belligerent" and "bellicose" ended up on the board - and they were provided by third graders!

From there, Soto asked the kids to draw the characters they created on the board. The art that emerged was phenomenal. From Moose C.E.O.s to a Spider-man (who was there!) fish hybrid, the kids did it all.

If you want more information about the Annapolis Book Fair, feel free to contract us, and we won't hesitate to tell you more. Our deepest thanks go to the organizers of event: Liz Glass, Ginny Nayden, and Stephanie Reisinger. Without their attention to detail, devotion, and enthusiasm, this would not have been possible. Our next event is Awesome Con, and it is sure to live up to its moniker, so come out! You don't want to miss the fun.

Superior Spider-man demands you to try to come!