by Rachel James-Terry
Inside Jackson State University’s Gallery1, a quiet concentration infused the room; heads were bowed, pencils tightly clenched in small hands and eyes fixated on white sheets of paper.
Comic book illustrator Kwame Braxton moved patiently from child to child studying each picture with sage intensity and offering instruction. “I love what I do,” he said.
Students from Hinds County Public Schools – kindergarten to ninth grade – participated in the “Summer Art Institute” hosted by Gallery1, Jackson State’s Kids Kollege, the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Liberal Arts.
Over the course of six weeks, visual artists Kenan Mason taught the elements of pop art; Shambe Jones showcased woodcarving and T-shirt design; Zederick Wilson shared collage making; and Braxton presented comic book composition.
Director of Gallery1 Shonda McCarthy expressed the importance of the summer camp saying,“We don’t see too many more of these services offered in our community.”
The fundamental dualism of the institute serves to expose children to creative arts and constructive representations of themselves. McCarthy explained that the deliberate selection of all African-American male teachers for the camp was intended to combat the adverse portrayals of black men in the media.
“Kwame creates comic book characters of positive African-Americans. Unfortunately, we don’t see a lot of positive African-American images in a lot of comic book illustrations or animations,” said McCarthy.
At the age of 6, Braxton discovered his affinity for comic books. “I liked the way comics could blend literature and artistry at the same time. My Uncle Brian gave me the gift of teaching. He showed me how to draw and also showed me that artistry is not necessarily limited to just one form,” said Braxton.