On Tuesday, UTRGV’s Festival of International Books and Art hosted a discussion session called, The Future of Comic Studies in the RGV. The event took place in the library’s third floor.
Creative Writing Professor Jean Braithwaite hosted the event in efforts to inform students about the possibilities for studying or creating comics in the RGV.
Show what the possibilities are for studying comics or for creating comics in an academic environment.
Braithwaite says that these graphic novels, or comics, refers to a medium, not a genre. During the discussion Braithwaite discussed the appeal of comics and their future studies at UTRGV. Selected UTRGV students can be awarded scholarships for their graphic novels, Braithwaite stated. Graduate from the Creative Writing Department, Julieta Rivera tells us about the misconception that creating comics doesn’t make money.
Art doesn’t make money. I’m here to say it absolutely does. I have a full-time job as a Web Comic and I also have freelance jobs that I go off of and I make a pretty good living.
During the discussion session Braithwaite had a special announcement for UTRGV students.
We’ll have the best comics prize annually from now on. Starting this year, there will be a University wide best comics contest for any UTRGV student who wants to enter.
The winner of Braithwaite’s Best Comic contest will receive a cash prize and their work posted in a gallery. For more information on future contests and sessions visit utrgv.edu/creative-writing.
Reporter Hector Tamez
