Yvonne Wan started her Focus Comic Loves Glendale art program with one goal in mind — to uplift the voices of people with autism through a medium she loves. The free art program, she said, is meant to empower autistic artists and other creatives with disabilities and put their work in the spotlight.
“Autistic individuals have been fairly invisible in the media in the past decade,” Wan said. “The key for change is to have a pioneering project that can transform the way individuals see themselves and how societies perceive autism and disability in general.
“Representation is really important and important that we recognize that and allocate enough support to help this group.”
Focus Comic Loves Glendale students meet for up to four, free one-on-one or group sessions online or in person on Sundays in November at Glendale Main Library. Each 40-minute class features lessons on the art of storytelling with comics as a medium, translating a script into a comic strip and illustration techniques. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sharpen their presentation skills with industry professionals, such as Patrick Goddard and other special guests.
Students will be sorted into levels based on age — Beginner students are ages 4 to 7, Intermediate students are 8 to 12 years-old and Advanced students are ages 13 and up, with no limit.
Additionally, Wan leads walk-in classes at IT’SUGAR at Westgate Entertainment District, with upcoming sessions on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15. Visit focuscomic.com for comic session dates and times.
At the end of the program, Wan and her students gather at Samurai Comics Glendale for their graduation ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 22. The students will receive various gifts, including comics, quality art supplies and various items from different agencies including the U.S. Air Force, and receive recognition for their accomplishments in the program. Additionally as part of their graduation surprises, Wan and her intern, young, autistic artist Carson Schuler, will digitally color the black and white comic panels that students created in class.
Participants of all ages and experience levels can join through Nov. 19 by emailing their information to Yvonne@focuscomic.com. Art supplies are provided for in-person students.
Wan’s intern Carson Schuler is a young autistic artist who works with her on various projects, including Focus Comic Loves Glendale.
(Yvonne Wan/Submitted)
The program’s namesake originates from Wan’s original comic book character named Focus — an autistic superhero, clad in a discoball-like pattern. One of the popular strips that Wan and her students have depicted him in is titled “Overweight” — a four-panel strip in which the superhero has finished having lunch with a friend. As the two get in the car to leave, the vehicle tips over on Focus’ side because he had too much to eat.
His power, the creator said, is to “predict crime based on probability.” Wan said that he is sensitive to sound, but also powerful in his desire to help others.
“I created the autistic hero because at the time, I was writing letters to organizations trying to get them to change their employment practices to further support autistic individuals and because I have someone close to me who is on the spectrum,” she said. “It transforms how current and future generations perceive autism, disability in general.”
Students in the comic program typically illustrate comic strips depicting Wan’s original character, Focus.
(Yvonne Wan/Submitted)
According to Wan, the experience is slightly different for the younger kids than it is for the older participants. The comic strip program helps the younger artist build their confidence while the older students learn how to pursue a career in art and break into the industry.
As Wan continues to teach autistic artists what she knows, helping to develop their skills, she said that she hopes to dismantle the stigma surrounding disabilities.
“I want to promote autism awareness and acceptance through this program,” she said. “Autistic individuals are capable of doing amazing things and contributing to the community in amazing ways — they can be superheroes, too.”
If You Go…
Focus Comic Loves Glendale Graduation
WHERE: Samurai Comics — Glendale, 6808 N. Dysart Road, Suite 148, Glendale
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturday,
Nov. 22
COST: Free admission
INFO: focuscomic.com