Comic art teaches kids about Black History
Students in Grade 4 to 8 took part in the workshop, another celebration of Black History Month this February on Tuesday morning.
It was a workshop conducted by three brothers, known as the Blac Ice family. Siblings Anthony and Justin Stanberry and Jermaine Smith started a company eight years ago called Freeze DNA and published the first Canadian black super-hero comic book series called Blac Ice.
Since its publication and the inception of their business, the brothers can take credit for publishing several other children's books in addition to teaching kids across the country how to draw comic art.
"The program started as a way to bring kids back to their local library," said Justin Stanberry.
By 2005, the three had teamed up with the Ontario Arts Council to offer comic book camps. The camps were such a success that they started talking to different organizations about presenting a one-hour workshop that teaches kids the fundamentals of comic art.
Their 'Create Your Own Comic Book' helps children, especially boys, develop their literary skills.
"It encourages them to develop their own stories," Stanberry said.
Their aim was to introduce children to positive heroes. Blac Ice, is based on the brothers' lives - with a few twists of course.
"It's about three brothers who develop these super powers," said Anthony Stanberry. "As they grow up, they realize their powers. Their quest in life is to, in a nutshell, save the world."
The workshops are extremely popular among the kids.
"What's always surprising about this is the result is always the same: The kids get a lot from it. They have a good time," he said.
Some Carleton students took naturally to drawing comic characters like Sponge Bob Square Pants and Garfield. Others admitted it was tricky. Even Vice-Principal Gary Pieters got in on the drawing action.
"What these artists have done for us is to teach us that everyone has a skill," he told the kids.
The brothers raffled off copies of their comic books to the students.
For further details, visit www.freeze-dna.com.
