The South Coast Writers Centre presents 'Just Write', a two-week program of writing workshops, hands-on creative activities and events for 12-18 year olds these Autumn school holidays. Don't miss your opportunity to be inspired by award-winning authors and talented writers and creatives at Ulladulla, Nowra and Sanctuary Point Libraries, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, and Wollongong Library.

All the events are free, but registrations are required.

BYO: pen & paper, lunch, snacks and drinks to all workshops.

◍ Making Zines & Mini Comix with Louie Joyce ◍

12 April 11am-2pm at Shoalhaven Gallery
13 April 11am-2pm at Ulladulla Library

A deep dive into zine making and zine culture, the perfect place to explore your creativity and passions! Participants will learn about the history and significance of zines and be guided through visual storytelling, drawing, collage, folding and binding exercises to get them started on their own zine making journeys!

◍ How to Write a Short Story with Rhys Lorenc ◍

14 April 1pm-4pm at Nowra Library

Dive headlong into the craft of writing short stories with Rhys Lorenc. Rhys will teach you how to structure your short story and share his tips for developing a strong central character.

◍ Zine Launch Parties ◍

15 April 10.30am-11.30am at Nowra Library

See the Just Write zine projected, hear short readings from contributors, and pick up a copy. The zine will be launched by SCWC Director Sarah Nicholson & Young Writers Program Teacher Rhys Lorenc. Stay for zine colouring & making activities. Bring your own zine to swap! The Just Write zine will also be available to be borrowed from the library via BorrowBox.

Live young readers will include Mila Martijen, Billie Finnegan, Scarlett Pawson, Stella Cournane, Leif Donnelly and Jessalyn Smith.

18 April 4pm-6pm at Wollongong Library

See the zines from the South Coast Writers Centre Young Writers Program projected, hear short readings from contributors, & pick up a copy. Stay for a zine swap, zine colouring & making activities! Zines will be launched by Young Writers Program Director Helena Fox & Young Writers Program Teacher Rhys Lorenc.

◍ Turning Stories into Illustrations with Julie Sydenham ◍

18 April 11am-2pm at Shoalhaven Gallery

Join artist and children's book illustrator Julie Sydenham for this introductory workshop and learn how to plan, storyboard and create illustrations. You can bring a short story you have already written, or even an idea for a story, to use as your inspiration. Julie will take you through her own process and offer advice on how to achieve the best outcome for different story types, what materials to use, and explore different style choices. You will illustrate one spread as part of the workshop.

◍ Make Your Own Zine with Buse Tirpanci ◍

19 April 11am-2pm at Shoalhaven Gallery
~~20 April 11am-2pm at Sanctuary Point Library~~ CANCELLED

Zines are an excellent way express your thoughts and ideas. They are small-circulation, handmade works and approachable for all, regardless of skill level. In this workshop, you'll explore the many possibilities of zinemaking and learn about zine culture in Australia. You'll be provided with all materials and instructions to create your own zines, as well as information on how to continue exploring the world of zines beyond the workshop.

◍ Sense of Place Poetry Workshop with Nicole Smede ◍

21 April 11am-2pm at Shoalhaven Gallery

Join poet Nicole Smede to explore 'place' and our connections to environments. At this workshop you will be led through reflective poetic exercises and word painting techniques to celebrate our stories.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Louie Joyce is an award-winning comics creator and illustrator based in Wollongong. His comics include Haphaven (Winner of a 2020 Silver Ledger Award, shortlisted for the 2019 Aurealis Awards, Best Graphic Novel, published by Lion Forge), Past the Last Mountain (Winner of a 2017 Silver Ledger Award), Astral, A Life in The City and self published books MISHMASH & HODGEPODGE. Louie's illustration work has been exhibited internationally and he works with a wide range of clients creating illustrations for storyboards, animation, publishing and concept development. He also teaches creative art and storytelling classes.

Rhys Lorenc is a local writer, teacher, graduate of University of Wollongong (with a double major in Creative Writing and English Literatures) and art nerd, with a particular interest in speculative fiction. A long-time member of the Young Writers Program, Rhys co-founded the Young Writers Collective with Helena Fox in 2020 and has been leading workshops for both the Collective and the YWP for over two years. His writing can be seen in the Young Writers Collective anthology Uncommon Words, and in Altercation Magazine.

Julie Sydenham is an Australian artist based in Milton, NSW. After working as an art teacher, Julie has spent the last decade of her career concentrating on illustration and has collaborated with many writers to publish her beautiful children's books.

Buse Tirpanci is an artist working on Wallumettagal land. She has published over a hundred zines titles in the last three years, drawing on her experiences of every day life and sharing these stories with readers. The zines are created in a mix of traditional and digital styles, incorporating collage, experimental mark making and drawing.She has previously run zine workshops by herself and with a collective, supported by organisations such as the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, the Waiting Room Project, and Rainbow Families. Buse has a BFA (Textiles) and is particularly drawn to alternative print processes like cyanotype.

Nicole Smede is a multi-disciplinary artist of Worimi and European descent, living and creating on Wodi Wodi Country. Proud of her heritage, Nicole’s work explores a reclamation and reconnection of ancestry and Country, through language, poetry and song.

This School Holiday program is presented in a partnership between the South Coast Writers Centre, Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery and Shoalhaven Libraries. It is part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.