Columbus-based graphic novelist Mel Gillman will present an artist talk and workshop at The Annex. They will guide students through writing and drawing a personal story on the topic of nature, plants, or foraging— in particular, thinking about plants that have left a meaningful impression on them at some point in their lives, even if only in small ways. The workshop will include a generative writing and drawing activity to produce a short diary comic, and students will have an opportunity to share their work for feedback.

Gillman specializes in LGBTQ books for kids and teens. They are the creator of the webcomic and graphic novel As the Crow Flies, published in 2017 by Iron Circus Comics, and winner of the 2018 Stonewall Honor Award. Their newest book, Stage Dreams, was published by Lerner/Graphic Universe in 2019. They are currently working on two new graphic novels, as well as teaching at Columbus College of Art and Design, the Center for Cartoon Studies, and California College of the Arts.

This event is organized in collaboration with Mellon Science and Nature Writing Fellow Frances Cannon and co-sponsored by Kenyon’s Science and Nature Writing Program.