In 2001 I initiated a youth-based publishing project of my own, with the assistance of Hobart council, Youth Arc (youth services) and Salamanca Arts Centre. A professionally-printed A5 zine with full-colour cover, it was released in Jan 2001 under the name BRAND NEW SHIRT, and showcased quality cartoon art by Tasmanian youth (ages 12 – 24). Most of the artwork was gathered from masterclass courses I ran at Salamanca Arts Centre and Youth Arc, as well as general submissions from across Tasmania. A core group of the older artists (Leigh Rigozzi, Sarah Howell, Nick Gross and Joshua Pringle) were selected to spend a week at my house on Bruny Island, to help in the final digital layout of the publication.
I continued with several other one-off comic zines based on courses I ran either as extended holiday programs or after-school classes. These were much more immediate and DIY, hand-photocopied but no less rewarding for the kids who contributed. Below are some excerpts from each.
HOLY DONKEY (C.H.I.P. holiday program, Melbourne 2002):
BRAIN SOUP (Moonah Arts Centre holiday program, Tas. 2002):
RANDOMONIA! (Taroona P.S. 6-week after-school program, Tas. 2006):
COMIX 2006 (Maranoa Heights Community Centre holiday program, Tas. 2006):
