Brand New Comic Exhibition opens at Seven Stories!
PRESS RELEASE
Brand new comic exhibition launches at Seven Stories
Comics: Explore and Create Comic Art at Seven Stories
Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
21 July 2017 – June 2018
On 21 July, Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle – launch their brand-new exhibition celebrating the creativity of comic book art. Gathering together an eclectic mix of original iconic comic art, alongside work by current children’s comic makers, this colourful family-friendly exhibition will run for a year before embarking on a countrywide tour.
The interactive exhibition will immerse young people and comic book fans of all ages in the stimulating and imaginative world of children’s comics before providing them with an opportunity to create their very own settings, characters and stories using playful props and costumes.
Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to see influential British comic icons such as Desperate Dan and Dennis the Menace as they were drawn in the 1940s and 50s, along with old friends Oor Wullie, Minnie the Minx and Roy of the Rovers.
Other famous characters being featured include Captain America, Wonder Woman, Superman and Hulk as drawn by Ian Churchill, the British artist and producer of comics for America’s two largest comic corporations – Marvel and DC comics.
Current British comic creators including Kate Brown, Jamie Smart and Laura Ellen Anderson will provide a unique insight into the creative process behind comic book making, featuring storyboards, sketches and 3D models.
Gill Rennie, Senior Curator from Seven Stories, said:
“Getting into comics is a great way to unleash your inner creativity. You can see from the amazingly diverse artwork on display in the exhibition that there are no limits – your story can go anywhere!
“It is thrilling to have been able to bring together artwork for such stars as Dennis the Menace and Superman. The skill and dedication of British comic artists through the years is truly inspirational.”
Just some of the fun, hands-on activities around the gallery include a random word generator, character creator, a giant roulette spinner to select comic settings, and a host of props, objects and special devices to inspire and create comic ideas. Visitors are also welcome to pull up a chair to read and share comics from Seven Stories’ very own comic book newsagent.
Throughout the opening weekend (22-23 July), families are invited to take part in fancy dress competitions, with the chance to win copies of top comics including The Beano and The Phoenix.
Exhibition supported by Wood Group and the Garfield Weston Foundation
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For media enquiries contact:
Jessica Dare
Media & PR Executive
0191 440 5749
jessica.dare@ngi.org.uk
About Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books
Seven Stories is The National Centre for Children’s Books – the only place in Britain dedicated to saving, celebrating and sharing our rich literary heritage for children.
Seven Stories’ home is a carefully converted listed warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne in North East England. The museum opened in 2005 and visitors can explore seven floors of galleries, creative spaces, a specialist children’s bookshop and a café. Everything Seven Stories does uses children’s books to inspire children and grown-ups to be curious, imaginative and creative. It strives to encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy a lifetime of reading for pleasure through inventive and immersive exhibitions and lively events and learning programmes.
- Seven Stories has built an extensive children’s literature archive covering the 1930s to the present day. It collects all that goes into the making of a book – first scribbles, dummy books, roughs, final artwork, letters and correspondence, drafts and finished manuscript. The work of over 250 British authors and illustrators, including Judith Kerr, Enid Blyton, Philip Pullman and David Almond is cared for in our Collection – and it is still growing.
- Over 70,000 people visit us every year, including 8,000 visits from school children. In addition, Seven Stories works with children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds through outreach and participation work. In 2015/16 over 25,000 children and carers took part in outreach activities to build book and story sharing confidence and enjoyment. Since 2005 over 800,000 people have visited Seven Stories.
- Seven Stories is increasingly known across the UK by its ambitious touring exhibition programme. More than 1.6 million people have enjoyed a Seven Stories exhibition on tour.
- Seven Stories is part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio and is an accredited museum with National status, recognising the national and international significance of its collections and the quality of the work in sharing these treasures through its exhibitions and its public and learning programmes.
Seven Stories is a charity, all the money earned and raised is used to safeguard the magic of children’s books for future generations to enjoy.
www.sevenstories.org.uk @7stories Facebook.com/7stories
