Three Year 8 students have been selected to be a part of the inaugural Perth Comic Arts Festival teen anthology, Safia, Teodor and Nazario were among only six comics makers chosen from the state.
The anthology includes works created by six emerging comics makers between the ages of 13-15, showcasing their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it impacted their sense of self and identity.
The project, "Constructing Identity Through Comics" was proudly sponsored by Healthway, promoting the Drug Aware message and Propel Youth Arts WA.
Led by Kristina Turner and Sarah Low, the project was formed over a series of workshops with mentor Campbell Whyte and held at the Milktooth: School of Art and Stories. Alongside guest mentors, Lola Baldsing, Scott Higginbotham and Sarah Winifred Searle, these workshops guided artists through the process of making comics for publication.
The finished publication will debut at the Perth Comic Arts Festival where it will be highlighted in the panel talk 'An Anthology of Anthologies' on Saturday the 6th of August and be available to purchase at the Market Hall on Sunday the 7th of August.
It is hoped that this project will serve as a record of the experience that young people had during this tumultuous time and inspire the next generation of local comics makers to tell their stories.