My trip to Cornell College was a three day delight. Graciously hosted every step of the way and greeted by some sharp students eager to create “wormholes” in their graphic storytelling narratives. In workshop over two days we walked through my shared works like “Andromeda” and DR163 and broke down their layers (emphasizing the important role history plays in our present and future, Sankofa principal) and collaboration highlights. And I’m always one to give real life industry tips, not just show ” theory face”. The projects students delivered from my writing/illustration prompts were diverse explorations of plot. A simple “going to the coffee shop” scene took the form of COVID lockdown e-life, futures on a space station, German folklorish beasts that haunt dreams, to name some. The college now carries copies of both Insider Art and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers, home to “Jean”.

If you are an institution (or know one) that would like to add layers to your own courses on comics and prose narratives that incorporate colonized and anchored pasts, comic book realism, and collaboration skills in art partnerships, do be in touch

( s.pitsirilos@ gmail. com )

Here’s what Dr. Rebecca Entel, Professor of English and Creative Writing, Robert P. Dana Director of the Center for the Literary Arts at Cornell College, had to say about the workshop:

“Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos offered our undergraduate writers and artists an inside look at the making of her own stories, her collaborations with artists, and the business side of comics. She led students through carefully-planned activities to create their own stories, artwork, and “wormholes” to history that inspired and excited them. Her thoughtfulness in planning and inviting teaching style made our workshop a great success. She was also very generous, offering to remain in touch with the workshop participants.”