Acclaimed graphic novelist to discuss writing, comics, sequential art Oct. 20-21
Sina Grace
The University of Central Arkansas will host acclaimed author and illustrator Sina Grace for a two-day residency Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 20-21, featuring events focused on writing, comics, graphic novels and sequential art.
“Sina Grace is a phenomenally talented and accomplished graphic novelist,” Dr. Thaïs Miller, assistant professor of creative writing, said. “While I was in graduate school, Sina came to speak at the University of California, Santa Cruz about his young adult graphic novel ‘Superman: The Harvests of Youth (2023).’
“The images and narrative throughout that book — and all of his books — are stunning, emotionally resonant and surprising. His work covers a wide range of topics and emotions, and his craft talks were entertaining and insightful, filled with humor and truth. Many of my current UCA students are interested in illustrated narratives, comic books, superheroes and young adult literature. I knew that Sina would be the perfect artist-in-residence for them to meet.”
Grace’s residency will feature a student interview with the editors of Arkana, UCA’s national literary magazine; a master class on writing for comics, graphic novels and sequential art; a public artist talk with a book signing; and a student-focused craft talk. All events are located on the UCA campus, open to the public and free of charge, with no tickets required for entry.
The full schedule for Grace’s residency is as follows:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 3:15 p.m. — Student Event: Interview with Editors of Arkana, UCA’s National Literary Magazine, Win Thompson Hall 331.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 4 p.m. — Student Event: Master Class on Writing for Comics, Graphic Novels, and Sequential Art, Win Thompson Hall 206.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. — Public Event: Artist Talk and/or Reading with Book Signing by Sina Grace, Art Lecture Hall, McCastlain Hall 14.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m. — Student Event: Craft Talk with Students, Win Thompson Hall 211.
Acclaimed author and illustrator Sina Grace is a USA Today bestselling, Ringo and GLAAD Media Award-winning writer and artist known for a prolific body of work that balances slice-of-life emotion with blockbuster action. His groundbreaking “Iceman” series at Marvel paved the way for Grace to reimagine Smallville and a teenage Clark Kent in “Superman: The Harvests of Youth” at DC, where he went on to work on characters including Shazam, Wonder Woman and the Teen Titans in the fall release “Renaissance of Raven.” His original works include “Ghosted in LA” at BOOM! Studios, “West Hollywood Monster Squad” at Abrams and the upcoming “Game On,” his middle-grade debut from Penguin Random House. Grace lives in Los Angeles.
More information about the residency is available by contacting Miller at tmiller34@uca.edu.
The UCA Artists in Residence program is funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. More information about the Artists in Residence program is available at uca.edu/go/artistsinresidence or by contacting Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at gayles@uca.edu.