Educational Background/Training

MA in Art Education from James Madison University. (2002) GPA: 4.0.
BA in Studio Art/ Art Education from James Madison University. (2001) GPA: 3.6.
Recipient of Crystal Theodore Service with Scholarship Award.

About the Artist/Ensemble

LAURA LEE GULLEDGE (she/ her/ we) is an artist, author, and teaching artist based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She explores visual storytelling at the intersection of words, pictures, movement, co-creation, wellness, and citizen artistry.

She has created three YA graphic novels with Abrams Books in the graphic medicine & magical realism genres. Her most recent work The Dark Matter of Mona Starr explores dealing with depression which she personifies as “The Matter.” She has also created an interactive book of Sketchbook Dares and a newly virtual adaptation of her Will & Whit graphic novel musical. Fun Fact: Laura Lee was the first woman ever nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Lettering for her debut Page by Paige.

Laura Lee has an MA in Art Ed from James Madison University and is currently a freelance teaching artist, designing both customized virtual and in-person Artner Rest*idencies for schools during the Covid era. She is a teaching artist through the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Virginia Commission of the Arts. #artnerlove

Educational Program Description

60-90 MIN WORKSHOPS

*My Main Author Presentation*
MAKING COMICS: I share how I got into making comics plus my process for writing & drawing graphic novels. I then do a drawing demo live where we design a character together! Depending on time, we can also write a 6 panel story and/ or students can start designing their characters. They receive handouts for then making their own mini comics.

SKETCHBOOK DARES: I share my origin story of working in sketchbooks for years. Then I share drawing activities from my published book of drawing prompts, share inspiration for your sketchbook practice, and make some drawings together!

DRAWING THROUGH DEPRESSION: I share lessons from The Dark Matter of Mona Starr about mood management through creative expression, Artnerlove, and self/ community care. Includes how to make a self care plan and drawing prompts.

DRAWING OUT SELF CARE: I talk about mood management & wellness while focusing on how to make a self/ community care plan you can implement indoor own life. Includes ways of drawing aspects of it out visually.

WEEK-LONG RESIDENCIES

MAKING A COLLABORATIVE MURAL: I can work with a whole grade to make a collaborative 8-10 panel large format comic as a paper mural installed on a wall of the school while also getting students started on making their own individual comics featuring original characters.

MAKING A COLLABORATIVE BOOK: I can collaborate with a single class of students to create a book or Zine compiling their assembled illustrated stories. The book can then be self published.

Audiences

• College/University Students
• Adults