May 16, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

White River Junction –  Though over 3,700 miles apart, The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) in Vermont and The Graphic Storytelling program at The Animation Workshop (TAW) of VIA University College in Denmark, have a lot in common including a dynamic curriculum taught by some of the best cartoonists working today that nurtures up and coming visual storytellers.

Beginning in 2018-2019 academic year, they will have one more thing in common: the students.

Annually, several CCS students will visit Denmark and do a workshop in the spring or fall semester alongside students at TAW. CCS will welcome their students in the summer session here in Vermont. CCS summer faculty have included CCS alumni Tillie Walden ′16, Beth Hetland ′13, Melanie Gillman ′13, and Luke Howard ′13.  The Graphic Novel and Cartoon Studio workshops attract students from around the globe and provide an intensive experience and opportunity to develop and publish comics. Other CCS summer instructors include Jon Chad, Paul Karasik, and Jo Knowles.

“Partnering with TAW provides CCS students a unique international study abroad experience in one of Europe’s most lovely historic city.” –Michelle Ollie, president of CCS.

The Graphic Storytelling program was established in 2013 and shares a lot of the basic teaching philosophies with The Center for Cartoon Studies. Both schools foster learning in a collaborative studio environment. In addition, many CCS faculty and alumni have taught courses in Denmark at TAW, including Andy Warner ′11, Sophie Goldstein ′13, as well as faculty Alec Longstreth, James Sturm, Michelle Ollie, Sophie Yanow, and Jason Lutes. Other guest instructors of note at TAW have been Paul Karasik, Jessica Abel, Matt Madden, Ed Piskor, Ghostshrimp, Steve Seagle and Madelyn Rupert.

“Partnering with CCS provides a way for us to expand upon the global cultural experience for our students.” -Peter Dyring-Olsen, head of VIA Graphic Storytelling says. “We urge our students to engage globally and not limit themselves to their country of origin. Working together with CCS will give them the chance to get first hand experience with the life of a cartoonist in a different country.”

Graphic Storytelling is a four-year bachelor program and is the only Danish degree in cartooning. The program is located at The Animation Workshop (TAW) in Viborg, Denmark. It is a part of VIA University College’s School of Business, Technology and Creative Industries and has expertise in the areas of education, culture, communication and business development. To this effect, it benefits from a strong international network of artists, professionals, companies, funding institutions and partner schools. For more information: animationworkshop.via.dk. Alumni have published work at Image Comics, Boom Studios, The Nib and several other places.

The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) is America’s premier cartooning school and studio located in the historic village of White River Junction, Vermont. CCS programs include a two-year Master of Fine Arts Degree, one- and two-year certificates in cartooning, and annual summer workshops. Faculty and visiting artists include many of today’s most celebrated cartoonists. CCS has received national acclaim for its work and prominent mention in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. For more information: cartoonstudies.org