The first Cheltenham library comic con was an amazing success. Starting with the parade setting off from the Arcade to the Library where many people dressed as their favourite characters, this is known as cosplay. Nowadays, cosplaying has almost reached mainstream status. This was proven as the parade was greeted by smiles as onlooking
people asking to take photos of them, with them. then at the Library the Comic Con got into full swing. With professional publishers creators and workshops.

Kevin Painter said ”it was a perfect day from the enthusiastic library volunteers, the professionals, the cosplayers and of course the public who attended as it was fun for all the family and of every age. And thanks to the Beano and the Phoenix comics who sent free comics for the younger children to enjoy who attended workshops”
Kevin who was taking the comic book workshops and part of the cosplay panel interview team added
”Comic books and graphic novels are actually good to promote education and stimulate minds. And it’s an amazing medium if anyone has challenges such as dyslexia as it levels the playing field for all readers best of all it’s a fun way to get people reading. I would like to thank Tom Graham one of the librarians who took this challenge forward in his always enthusiastic manner. The cosplay team (Iconic Legends,) who are great ambassadors posing with the public and also for a great panel interview afterwards, and of course the many people who attended and shared in the fun. It is hoped that this will now become an annual event and later in the year there will be the launch of the 451 comic initiative in Tetbury”

The pages that explain the 451 initiative. If you would like more information then please email Kevin Painter at comics451@icloud.com or even ring or text him on (07745) 716547. And in true comic book  Style, there’s even a variant for the first page

 

The 451Initiative has many facets. A new free centre/museum will be a home to display and exhibit original Art and comics from our past and heritage as Well as art from the exciting new generation of graphic novel illustrators.

There will also be residential Workshops. Outreach/touring workshops for Schools Libraries and selected bookshops.
There already has been highly successful workshops. The workshops will teach and inspire new artists, and raise awareness of comic book they will be discovering the art of visual storytelling, creating characters using only imagination and learning how to tell stories in a comic/graphic novel form

Comic Convention with Cosplay later this year (summer/autumn 2019)The 451 comic con/expo will be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience and will include not only loved comic books but other aspects of this popular genre that deserve wider recognition

The 451 graphic novel comic book awards. The 451 awards will be based on the premise of the libraries summer Reading challenge. The challenge will be to read five graphic novels during the summer and then vote on your favourite, story, artwork, and thought-provoking. This will be run with Gloucestershire library service and Waterstone books.

There will be a reading room complete with its own Graphic Novels to enjoy.this will be used to help with 451 awards and will include many independent books that are not in the mainstream.

 

The 451Initiative has many facets the center/museum will be a home to display and exhibit original art and comics from our past our childhood heritage. Many of us grew up and too many, our first experience of owning art and literature was a comic when the world was simpler and everything fitted in little boxes. The project will involve as well as having the open center, it will research into the history of our comic book history which will end up as a printed book and also online by the team/curator. As well the center will be hosting workshops where people will be encouraged to create their own characters and also pay homage to characters of yesteryear, so this really will be the epitome of a living ongoing museum and by raising the profile of this art form it will also assist in keeping it alive and also inspire others to use it as an educational tool.( This is an educational tool this art-form assist anyone with a learning disability as the picture style format makes it easier for the reader to read the small sections of text)

For years, it has been a misconception that comic books cannot help children improve reading skills. Because comics are mostly pictures and graphics, people think that it doesn’t equate to reading at all. However, recent studies show that there are benefits in reading comic books and graphic novels.

How comics have evolved is a true reflection of our own society and as such an integral part of our own heritage. Most of us will have a favorite comic character and in the rest of the world the creators are treated as celebrities and have similar projects to celebrate their own heritage

This really will be one of the most talked about projects and everyone has a chance to get involved, as everyone has an opinion and a favorite character. How often can you discover an artistic golden age only after its long over? Right now, a creative renaissance is occurring in a medium that had been mired in triviality for the better part of a century, and for the question What is a graphic novel? to be a thing of the past (consider the corollary — “What is a novel?” “What is a movie?” “What is television?” Never heard of them.)

there will also be

• Comic Convention;
• The graphic novel comic book awards;
• Cosplay;
• Reviews of graphic novel and comics;
• Production of a graphic novel;
• Outreach/touring workshops for schools Libraries and selected bookshops;
• (To help with literacy;)

The Comic Art Centre will include
•Exhibits of original artwork
•Exhibits of original comics
•Reading room to enjoy reading comics and graphic novels
•Research and compiling the history of comics and its Art
•Workshops( exploring how to draw and create)

An accomplished attraction located in the heart of Cotswolds the Tetbury Comics Art Museum honors the creators and heroes of the 9th Art. This will be a regularly renewed permanent exhibitions and a diversified programme of temporary exhibitions that will enable visitors to discover the countless aspects of comics Art. Where you can encounter a world where creativity has no limits. Temporary and permanent exhibitions will transform this Art Nouveau gem into a living and attractive temple. It is a dynamic and exciting place.

There already has been highly successful workshops, the first being in Tetbury Goods Shed Art Centre, Cheltenham Library, and Westonbirt School Everyone had a fantastic time Family confirming it was a real community event for every age from primary school children to retired people.

The workshops will teach and inspire new artists, and raise awareness of comic book art based in Tetbury and other various Towns, to teach and inspire new artists, new creators.

* To complement this and expand, there will be courses, information interviews, and reviews, in fact, all things comics, both at the workshops and with an online website that will teach and share comic book information again with a whole new audience.

* They will be discovering the art of visual storytelling, creating characters using only imagination and learning how to tell stories in a comic/graphic novel form. Exploring storytelling and character development participants will design their own comic book story, turning personal identity into an odyssey.

* An illustrated comic book/graphic Novel utilizing new talent and skills with a fresh approach to the genre utilizing the diversity of styles, will be produced.

 

No event would be complete without what is now known as Cosplay where people are very serious about their fun. Costumes are made worn and shown by adults and children alike. This really is always one of the most enjoyable aspects of any comic event/convention, that will be enjoyed by any visitor, and for the cosplay attending there will be some brilliant backdrops across the location for amazing photographs.

We will welcome and admire the endless creativity of cosplayers and cannot wait to see the creations and characters you will bring to our event We have some brilliant backdrops across our Town and neighboring attractions amazing photographs
Our convention venues/ Backdrops include:
​
• Tetbury Town Market House
• Tetbury police Museum(with waxworks and real cells
• Our Town Heritage Trail and locations
• Millennium green with cattle pens
• Nearby Westonbirt Arboretum, Cherrington Lake etc etc

 

initially, this will be a comic award that will be voted on by readers from libraries, readers from shops. Via survey monkey sponsored by first publishing on their website. There will be categories such as best adventure drama, best superhero, best funny, best reprint/anthology and of course every section will be the best artist and best writer categories will be a special lifetime achievement award for long-term writers and artists.
the 451 comic book/graphic novel awards
These will be awards based on votes from readers who are will be able to vote at their libraries, at local Waterstone’s…….
There will also be awards for funniest comic and graphic novel, best adventure comic graphic novel, and a special section of the top five independent small press comics. These will be voted on by an independent panel.

The 451 comic con/expo will be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience and will include not only loved comic books, but other aspects of this popular new genre that deserve wider recognition,and dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.encapsulating all things comics.
and will include.

Would you like to support 451 work in the community?
As a Friend of 451 you will be making a vital contribution to our festival – at the heart of which is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to sequential art and storytelling. there are many ways you can become involved, by sponsorship donation help in kind or even just ideas or support in principle.
As a patron of the Initiative or festival, your friendship will enable us to continue our educational and outreach programme
To do this you can contact us directly by email at comics451@icloud.com or telephone 07745716547. or you can purchase an existing piece of art or commission something more exclusive

 

Hello  Hello Hello Tetbury has new Police Officer, permanently based at the Council Offices.  in a project by the Town Council to install a ‘Banksy’ type image of a Policeman the Council commissioned a larger-than-lifesize image on a solid backing board attached behind the original gate to the side alleyway.The Artwork was provided for free by local artist Kevin Painter who is the newly elected Deputy Mayor. The Council  had to obtain Listed Building Consent for this project.The Office Team has already received enthusiastic praise from the public.
Councillor Sandra Ball, the newly-elected Mayor of Tetbury, said “We are delighted to welcome a new Police Officer to Tetbury; we look forward to seeing a reduction in the crime figures!” Kevin said ”To give a piece of Art to your hometown is humbling and rewarding, and it’s great to see your artwork escape from page into the real world.’’ ”Already people are having their picture taken with it, which is a flattering as artist but great as a tourist attraction for our Town’’

 

The workshops,will teach and inspire new artists, and raise awareness of comic book art,and will teach and inspire new artists, creators.  they will be  discovering the art of visual storytelling, creating characters using only imagination and learning how to tell stories in a comic/graphic novel form.

* to complement this and expand, there will be courses, information interviews and reviews, in fact all things comics, both at the workshops and with a online website that will teach and share comic book information again with a whole new audience.

*they will be  discovering the art of visual storytelling, creating characters using only imagination and learning how to tell stories in a comic/graphic novel form. Exploring storytelling and character development participants will design their own comic book story, turning personal identity into a odyssey.

* An illustrated comic book/graphic Novel utilising new talent and skills with a fresh approach to the genre utilising the diversity of styles, will be produced.

 

 

 

The  INITIATIVE

Initially this will be a comic award that will be voted on by readers from libraries, readers from shops. There will be categories such as best adventure drama, best superhero, best funny, best reprint/anthology and of course every section will be best artist and best writer categories will be a special lifetime achievement award for long term writers and artists.