COMIC CULTURE POWERS teaches cultural awareness, tolerance, and critical thinking via easily-digested skill-sets such as cartooning, storytelling, and writing. All programs and workshops feature instruction from local industry professionals as we explore the fabulous powers of our Bronx stories and diverse mythologies; all tailor-made for children, teens, adults, and elders.
The artform of cartooning is most beautiful when used to communicate ideas and feelings, and has the power to dissect and reconstruct reality. Ivan proudly claim comics as his life’s work and mission. 25 years of working as a teaching artist in his communities have shown him many collective burdens and shortcomings. Cartooning, deceptively simple and enticing, functions as a gateway to writing, sequential storytelling, critical and abstract thinking, design, and even business planning. It can foster greater ethnic, gender, and multicultural understanding. Comics (and animation) are easily consumed by the viewer; important in this era of quick-fix digital media. The cartoonist and afficionado can learn to dissect and evaluate the messages of pop culture. Although the mainstream comics industry eschewed diverse and multicultural points of view, by actively teaching our youth to create and consume their own stories, we also empower self-validation. By fostering the creation of diverse communities of practitioners of sequential media, we allow significant and colorful contribution to our shared American mythology. Cartooning also has value in enabling later-in-life skill-building and greater cultural appreciation. This art-form, along with its powerful associations, is part of our collective upbringing, and is a starting point for fruitful discussions. Understanding and creating art based on our shared pop culture can give context to our own places in history. Creating these classes and art events allows me to give something valuable to my community, and helps me ensure this art-form stays alive, vibrant and accessible.
