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Opal22

21 November 2024

 

Opal22 Arts and Edutainment, in partnership with the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, is proud to launch the Culture Comics: Graphic Novel Competition. This nationwide initiative invites young people aged 12–18 to unleash their creativity by crafting original stories and graphics. Through two thought-provoking prompts, the competition aims to explore young people’s perceptions of Black culture while offering an educational platform to celebrate its richness on a national scale.

Meet the Judge
The competition will be judged by Bobby Joseph, a pioneering comic creator and the UK’s first Comics Laureate of colour. Renowned for his iconic works, including Skank Magazine and Scotland Yardie, Bobby’s influence extends to academia, where his graphic novel became the first of its kind studied in an English Literature MA course at King’s College London. His inspiring storytelling makes him the perfect mentor for this competition.

 

About the Competition
Participants will create original graphic stories inspired by themes relevant to today’s society.

For ages 12–15: Answer the prompt “Black Culture is…” Show us what Black culture means to you—whether it’s ancient mythology, unforgettable tales, or the funniest story you’ve ever heard. Let your imagination run wild!
For ages 16–18: Answer the question “Why Vote?” Show us why voting matters. From campaigning for a National Ice Cream Day to advocating meaningful political change—make your case with creativity!

Prizes & Opportunities

The top 50 creators will:

  • Attend an exclusive workshop with Comics Laureate Bobby Joseph in Leicester.
  • Have their submissions published in a Graphic Novel Anthology.
  • See their work displayed in a public exhibition in Leicester.

Entry Requirements

  • Eligibility: Open to ages 12–18 across the UK.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Entries must be no longer than two A4 pages.
  • Only one submission per participant.
  • Accepted formats: PDF, JPEG, or PNG.
  • Use any medium: pencils, pens, stick figures, or digital software.
  • AI-generated content will not be accepted.

Submit Your Work Here

Postal Submissions:

Address to:

Opal22

Studio 9, Phoenix Studios

253–255 Belgrave Gate

Leicester, LE1 3HU

Timeline:

  • Competition opens: 1st December 2024
  • Deadline for submissions: 2nd March 2025

What’s Next?
The competition officially launches on 1st December 2024, and we can’t wait to see what stories young creators bring to life.
Templates and guidelines will be made available to help participants get started, and entries can be submitted either digitally or by post.

For more information or to download templates, email us at info@opal22.co.uk. Let’s celebrate creativity, culture, and the power of young voices together!

Download the school pack Here

Download the pre-start story ideas Here

Download Comic Strip Templates Here

Submission Portal 

Funded by National Lottery Community Fund & Arts Council England

News updates

Tinaishe Rudolph

18 May 2023

On Tuesday 16th May 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh visited the African Caribbean Centre, Highfields, Leicester.

It was a Royal affair coordinated by Marcia Brown which saw community groups, leaders and members share space with the newly appointed Duke of Edinburgh. In true African Caribbean style His Royal Highness was welcomed to the sound of steel pan beating away. Members of Contrast Steel Pan gave a warm welcome as His Royal Highness made his way through the cafe and reception area. HRH Prince Edward took timeout to visit the crafts workshop taking place on the ground floor before being welcomed into the main hall up stairs.

Poet, The Orator and Singer, Morgan Munroe performed a collaboration on an original poem entitled History. Youth Music programme, Remit was in attendance to show HRH Prince Edward how to DJ their favourite songs with the Prince taking real interest!

Marcia and Alvin from the African Caribbean Centre guided HRH Prince Edward around the hall, introducing him to various groups and projects affiliated with the centre. Two university students responsible for assisting the delivery of the Windrush Compensation Scheme in the local area spoke to HRH Prince Edward about the scheme, and how we had come to be in such mess. It was refreshing to see a positive response to what can sometimes be a difficult conversation. HRH Prince Edward commented ‘why is it that politicians don’t seem to read history books?’ something that received a collective ‘uhmm’ and nodding of heads.

Morgan Munroe and Boston ‘The Orator’ Williams were introduced by Marcia as Opal22. The Orator gave an overview of the organisation and its aims. The conversation that followed covered subjects from the origins of the Met police to HRH Prince Edward’s most recent trips to the Caribbean. Shortly after speaking with Opal22 HRH Prince Edward concluded his trip to Leicester. Roads were once again blocked, people lined the streets to get a view and HRH Prince Edward (and the secret service of course) headed back towards the capital.

We hope he was sent on his way with the finest rum punch and a belly full of good caribbean food!

Follow us across our social media channels to see when pictures will be released.

 

https://linktr.ee/opal22

Instagram: @opal22artsanded

Twitter: @opal22artsanded

Casta Paintings

Tinaishe Rudolph

3 April 2023

Last weekend (Sat 1st April) our founder and Creative Director, Tara Munroe sat with the BBC’s Jennifer Harby to shed light on the Casta journey thus far.

Speaking from Leicester Museum and Gallery Tara Munroe said “I saw some paintings by the back door of the basement and, when I looked at them, I realised they weren’t like anything I had ever seen before.”I asked the curator at the time what was happening to them and he said they were probably going to get rid of them. “I said ‘Don’t do that’.”

 

That was the very beginning of what we have come to know as Opal22’s Casta project. The project studies a series of paintings known as Casta Paintings, one of the earliest forms of pictorial racial classification. Key tenets of the programme include restoration of the paintings, undertaken by Leicester Museum and Gallery, confirming provenance with the world’s leading authorities, and highlighting the narratives brought forth by bringing these paintings back into the public fore.

 

Read the full article using the link below.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-65092285

 

Special thanks to Jennifer Harby, BBC News.

Casta Paintings

Tinaishe Rudolph

10 March 2023

Michael Ohajuru, Art Historian, Senior Fellow of the Commonwealth Institute and panelist on the Casta, Caste and Classifications – An Academic Discussion shares his blog post on the event.

Michael Ohajuru travelled to Leicester to meet with Opal22, Ilona Katzew, Susan Deans-Smith and Professor Rebecca Earle. Upon arrival, Michael and the team visited the Conservator to see with their own eyes, the condition that the collection is in.

‘A great experience – honoured – to see how the paintings are being painstakingly, literally being brought back to life.’ – M. Ohajuru

Following a visit to the Conservators, Michael and fellow distinguished guests we’re invited to document their thoughts on camera. Stay tuned to our blog page for more snippets from Michaels journey and others who have entered the journey of Casta, Caste and Classification.

Video’s from the Casta, Caste and Classification – an Academic Discussion event will be available on the Opal22 Arts & Edutainment Youtube channel.

Read Michael’s full blog here shorturl.at/hsyY0