Thumbs up for Svitac’s Graphic Novel Project!

Thumbs up for Svitac’s Graphic Novel Project!

Great feedback from visitors to our Graphic Novel exhibition means a big ‘thumbs up’ for all who took part in the 10-week project! The public exhibition of young people’s work based on the internationally popular art form was the third and final phase of the project, and judging by the results — check out our picture gallery below — they had a great time learning new skills and developing their talents.

Graphic novels provide an excellent medium for developing creativity, confidence and self-expression amongst young people living in areas of social or ethnic tension, specifically post-conflict. As well as making new friends across social divides, students gain experience of working in teams, communicating ideas, and finding creative ways to overcome their differences.

In the initial six weeks or Phase I of the Svitac project local art teacher Vladimir Tomic taught a group of 14 university-age students the techniques involved, from graphic design and story-boarding to production. Then for the next four weeks, Phase II, members of the group turned instructors themselves, each mentoring two younger teens as they attended workshops in the art form. From the start, they showed great enthusiasm for the project, says Vladimir.

Students had two themes from which to choose – ‘My Town’ and ‘My Perfect Day’ – but above all, whether they chose to write fiction or from real-life, they were encouraged to allow their imaginations to range freely. Importantly, they were told that there is no such thing as bad drawing, “only images that they create, and the world they create is their own”, Vladimir explains. “The stories were a base around which their inner emotions and creativity were to be expressed.” What was crucial was to build children’s self-confidence so they could write and draw from the heart.

Drawing a Graphic Novel 2015

Project co-ordinator Edina Vosanovic says the course brought benefits to all involved and fulfilled Svitac’s goal of fostering cultural linkages between young people of different faiths and social backgrounds, not just in Brcko District but between Firefly’s partners in Palestine and Bosnia. ‘The exhibition got a great feedback from many guests, family members and friends of the participants and the audience was thankful for the great stories, beautiful drawings and a strong spirit of teamwork”, says Edina. What’s more…it was fun!