Cityscapes, Comics + Collectibles: Sequential Storytelling Through Ephemera

This event will take place in the Clydeside Hall at The Briggait.

This workshop introduces the concept of sequential storytelling based around a common theme: ‘My Glasgow’.The workshop encourages participants to look closely at the materials that circulate through cities and daily life, and use the meaning ascribed to them to create stories that explore what Glasgow means to them.

Participants will work in groups to produce a short comic. You will be encouraged to work collaboratively, producing 1-2 panels per person and then putting them together.

By reworking ephemera into comics, participants will explore alternative ways of documenting cities and personal experiences, creating intimate ‘micro-archives’ that sit outside official records.

No prior comics or drawing experience is required; the workshop is process-led and accessible to a wide range of participants.

Boundaries discussion will be had before the session starts.

Structure of the workshop:

- A brief introduction to sequential art, comics language, and collage-based storytelling

- A guided ephemera “reading” exercise—examining objects for narrative clues, textures, and associations

- Storyboarding and narrative development using collected or provided materials

- Hands-on making: assembling a short comic or folded zine using collage, drawing, and text

- Optional group sharing and reflection

Participants will leave with a copy of their completed short comic or zine.

Bhavani Bala (she/they) is the Artistic Director and “ideas gal” of Kutty Press, a mini publishing experiment rooted in print, process and play. She is a Glasgow-based visual storyteller and facilitator from India whose comics and zines explore South Asian identity, mental health, and queer narratives, often featuring their cat, Kevin. She regularly exhibits at festivals, weaving together personal reflection, political critique, and community-driven storytelling. Through their printmaking and zine practice, Bhavani examines how history and the legacies of empire shape the present, while her facilitation work centres on community building through improvisational theatre.

This event will take place in the Briggait. You can find directions here.

There will be 15 attendees maximum, and the event will feature comfort breaks. During this event, attendees will participate in: whole group discussions, hands on activities, sharing work that has been created.

If you have any questions or access requirements, please get in touch with us via [email protected]

If you’d like a British Sign Language interpreter or Live Captioning at this event, please get in touch and we’ll arrange support. Email us at [email protected] to book - we’d love to see you there. Please book BSL and Live Captioning in with us no later than the 8th of May.

Find out more about access at GZF events and how to make an access request here.

All events will adhere to our safer spaces policy, which you can learn about here.

GZL pledges to support The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel. As part of this pledge we may participate in strikes called in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine. If this event falls on a strike day and is cancelled, we will work with event leaders to reschedule the event asap. Participants will also have the option of receiving an immediate refund for any ticket purchases and travel booked to attend.

After booking a ticket, you will be sent several reminder emails from Eventbrite leading up to the event. We will also send emails that share any resources that attendees will need access to, including any required materials.

Please email [email protected] if you have any issues

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