Four young La Porte artists recently completed the 15-session Fall after-school program, The Comic Book ProjectTM, sponsored by the La Porte Park and Recreation Department and coached by Debra Sawyer, local arts educator. On Friday December 29th at 3 p.m., their very first published comic, "The Defenders of La Porte" was introduced to the world at Monroes Collectibles, a very cool comic book store in La Porte. And, to everyone’s surprise, Batman of Michiana (Gary Bingaman) showed up to endorse their book and award them with Batwings. Their comic book, “The Defenders of La Porte,” is a superheroes story created by Margaret Hobbs,13, Conrad Miselwicz,11, Cameron Lewis,10, and Ethan Messacar, 9. The young artists learned teamwork while combining skills such as reading, writing, brainstorming and conceptualizing ideas to create characters and a story that may indeed have a sequel. Last heard, all four artists are signing up for the 2018 Comic Book Project™ program to create new adventures, new characters and stories.
The Comic Book Project (www.comicbookproject.org) is a world-renowned kid-driven literacy initiative that has engaged more than 200,000 learners in a creative process leading to academic achievement, social awareness, and community development. It was developed in 2001 by Michael Blitz at the Center for Arts Education Research at Columbia University's Teacher's College.
The 2018 after-school programs are:
- Comic Book I is for kids 4th–6th grade/ages 9-12, 15 sessions, 4:00 – 5:30 pm. Mondays & Tuesdays January 8 through February 26.
- Comic Book II for kids 7th-10th grade/ages 13-16, 15 sessions, 4:00 – 5:30 pm. Mondays & Tuesdays March 5 through May 7.
The cost is $150 for 15 sessions, 2x a week, and is limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is required.
Also offered is Kidz Arts, an after-school arts program.
Classes are held at the Cummings Lodge in Soldiers Memorial Park. For more information or to register, contact the La Porte Park and Recreation Department’s office, 250 Pine Lake Avenue, or by phone (219) 326-9600.