For the New Art in the Neighborhood high school artists, the restrictions of the pandemic provided an opportunity to hone foundational drawing skills and lean into their creative approaches to narrative. Using cartoonist and author Lynda Barry’s book Making Comics as their guide, they immersed themselves in drawing, storytelling, and collaboration. Through Barry’s insights, methods, and exercises they learned the practice of creative routine and active, sustainable art making. Special guests Sarah Paulsen, Dan Zettwoch, and former CAM Director of Education Tuan Nguyen introduced different techniques and approaches to utilizing comics as an art form.

New Art in the Neighborhood: Making Comics is organized for the Contemporary Art Museum
St. Louis by Jason Vasser-Elong and José Garza, current and former Museum Educators, respectively.