Comic Creators Camp

Calling all kids who love to draw and create stories and comics! In this camp, professional cartoonist Mister Smart will share the skills of making your own comics. He will guide campers through the entire process, including character design, story creation, drawing techniques for backgrounds, page layouts, dialog, and more. Although the skills campers will practice are real, the camp itself is not a class! It's a fun week for kids who love art and storytelling, and includes break times for snacks and outdoor play. At the end of the week, campers will take home with their own graphic novel or comic!

Campers can find inspiration for their artwork in the historic James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home, and its large collection of nineteenth-century illustrated books and magazines. They will head "behind the ropes" and enjoy special access to the different rooms and handle some of the 100 year-old books from our extensive library.

Who: For campers 3rd grade through those entering 7th grade.

When: July 13-17, 1pm-4pm.

Where: 528 Lockerbie St., Indianapolis, IN 46202

Josh Smart has been a professional cartoonist in Indianapolis for 23 years. He works with the Indiana Pacers & Fever drawing mascot cartoons for their kid’s club programs as well as caricaturing at their home games. Previously, Mr. Smart was an art director at a marketing firm working with clients such as Pepsico, The American Red Cross, Hardee’s, Kroger, Subway, Frito Lay, & many more. Recently, Mr. Smart started guest teaching with Professor Watermelon (aka. Chadwick Gillenwater) and fell in love with the creative energy the kids bring with them to class every day. Mr. Smart is now a cartoonist, caricature artist, art director… and a teacher of cartooning and comics for after school clubs and summer camps!

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Host or Publisher James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home