Some international comic creator guests of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which took place last month, attracting hundreds of comic fans to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District, also took part in local outreach work with schools during their visit to Britain.
At the start of term, Year 8 pupils at Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale had the exciting opportunity to work with Patricia Ramos, an educator, illustrator and comic artist from Metro Manila, Philippines. As part of an artist exchange between the Lakes International Comic Art Festival and Komiket, a festival in the Philippines, in partnership with the British Council, Patricia led creative workshops exploring environmental issues linked to climate change during her visit to our school.
During the sessions, students used a variety of art materials to create short four-panel comics, highlighting local concerns and showcasing their artistic skills. Their work demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of the challenges facing the community due to environmental changes.
The students’ impressive creations were on display at the Windermere Jetty Museum, featured as part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival weekend. This has been a wonderful experience for our pupils, combining creativity, learning, and a deeper connection to important local issues.
These workshops were part of an exchange. UK creators Mollie Ray and Lucy Sullivan had been out to the Philippines earlier in the year. The session was facilitated by Hester Harrington, LICAF Outreach & Education, and was a task she had originally designed as part of ongoing British Council projects.
“It was a great workshop session and the youngsters created some seriously poignant comics," she commented. "Amazing ideas!”
Patricia Ramos is an illustrator, author, and educator based in Metro Manila, Philippines. After graduating from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts in 2017, she became a part-time art teacher for students in the 1st to 3rd Grades. Her work includes children's books, comics, and for several local companies including Zenutrients, and the Jollibee Group Foundation. She's also currently the President of the Philippines' first and only organisation for children's illustration, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan.
Patti creates art with digital media and gouache, and is influenced by childlike wonder, vibrant colours, dynamic brushstrokes, Filipino culture, and feminism.
• Patricia Ramos is online at patriciaramos.art | Facebook: @artofpattiramos | Instagram: @artofpattiramos
