2026 Comics are LIT! Scholarship WINNERS
Chelsea Bitner
“I have always been an artist and a writer, but I never really tried combining those skills together until this project. When I did, I noticed that the scenes became more compelling than what they would be in a story or a painting—the symbolism showing through in color theory, the character development bringing deeper meaning to the expressions. This scholarship gave me the opportunity to explore the world of comics, challenging my writing and art skills and blending them together in a way that is more than the sum of their parts. I am grateful for this unique opportunity and am excited to experiment more with comics in the future!”
Aiden Stormer
“Being able to participate in this scholarship was a great opportunity for me. It helped push my art skills and learn new ones. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for the time and effort that goes into making comic.”
Marissa Leary
“To summarize my experience, I would say it was a challenge. I only found out about the scholarship a week or so before the initial deadline. I was lucky that the deadline was extended. The time crunch wasn't the only challenge, but also the reading material was just simply not something I enjoyed. But, I think these challenges are what made this such a valuable experience. I want to go into animation and I will be forced to work with tight deadlines and on stories I might not enjoy. This whole experience was very informative, and I am glad that I have been selected to receive this award.”
