Over six months, students took an inspiring journey as they crafted a comic book focused on flood protection in Richmond. Part of the City of Richmond’s Engaging Artists in Community Program, this initiative featured cyanotype prints and drawings guided by artist Andrea Hoff. Eighty students collaborated together to create their unique comic.
Starting in January, weekly field trips had students exploring flood protection measures along the dyke, rain or shine. They gathered materials and developed narratives to convey their experiences. Utilizing cyanotype printing — a photographic technique — the students created distinctive illustrations for their comic.
After three months of field trips and creative sessions, they diligently finalized the pages of their comic book, titled "Hidden Stories of the Bioverse." On June 11, community members joined the students and Andrea Hoff for a celebratory launch event, unveiling their collaborative creation.
This project not only deepened the students’ understanding of environmental issues but also sharpened their artistic and storytelling abilities. Their dedication resulted in the creation of their first published book. 