PRESS RELEASE
South Central Tennessee Workforce Board _ #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor _ Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: (931) 375-4201 Fax: (931) 381-7643
For Immediate Release
Date: March 22, 2010
Contact: Paige Liggett
Phone: (931) 375-4209
Fax: (931) 381-7643
Edgar Allan Poe Graphic Novel Workshop held at Maury County Public Library
Saturday, March 20th, was an evening filled with creativity and fun for 22 local youth ages 11-18 years of age. “The Big Read” has selected Edgar Allan Poe as the featured writer for 2010 and in his honor, agraphic novel workshopwas heldspotlighting "The Fall of the House of Usher". The workshopwas held at the Maury County Public Library andled by NYC comedy writer Nick Nadel and Boston animator Tim Finn. The workshop was free to participants, which was made possible through funding by the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance with a grant from “The Big Read” and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Artists, Nadel and Finn presented a brief overview of comic books, how they are written and they transitioned into talking about Edgar Allan Poe’s story “The Fall of the House of Usher.” "These kids understand the genre of comic books. They were already familiar with the story of the "Fall of the House of Usher", plus understand the language of comic books. I am pleasantly surprised by the number of genres I am seeing as they complete their works - comedy, drama, and suspense, for example. Again, they really understand comics!" Nick Nadel - Comedy writer and journalist – NYC
Then the really interactive part of the evening began when the two artists demonstrated how the youth participants could create their own comic book/graphic novel spread using “The Fall of the House of Usher” as inspiration. They worked with the youth to create a comic book page and they even threw in actual graphic novel techniques and terms. Finally, youth participants worked as teams or individually to create their own 2 page graphic novel interpretation of Poe’s story. When complete, there was everything from parodies to meta-fiction being created by these highly imaginative youth. At the end of the workshop, the creations were hung for everyone to admire. "I am so impressed with the high level of energy and how effortlessly the kids, writers and artists alike, threw themselves into the activity'." Tim Finn - Animation professor and graphic artist - Boston, MA
The work produced in the workshop will be on display in the Young Adult section of the library beginning later this week. For more information on “The Big Read” and Edgar Allan Poe, go to www.neabigread.org or contact the Maury County Public Library 931-388-6332
South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color,
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religion, age, mental or physical activity, veteran status or national origin in educational and employment opportunities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. WIA/LWIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Any inquiries and/or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Officer, South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor, Columbia, TN 38401. Funding is provided under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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020.JPG - PHOTO CAPTION: Gabe Brewer works with Nick Nadel to explain his sequence of art and story.
017.JPG – PHOTO CAPTION: James Johnson perfects his story and drawings.
018.JPG – PHOTO CAPTION: L-R - Austin Ernst and Joe Barnes brainstorm with Tim Finn, graphic artist and animation professor at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.