For the third consecutive year, Faberllull is hosting a remunerated creative residency for three Catalan and Balearic illustrators, enabling them to develop projects proposed by three international publishers. The residency aims to foster the publication of Catalan and Balearic authors in foreign markets while encouraging international publishers to commission work from local professionals.
This edition welcomed the participation of publishers including Albatros Media (Czech Republic), Coccinella (Italy), Data Status (Serbia), Lecturita (Argentina), Metaichmio (Greece), Mixtvision (Germany), and Telos Editora (Brazil). In response to their proposed projects, nearly sixty people submitted proposals through the open call. Following the evaluation period, three of the publishers each selected one illustrator to begin a professional collaboration culminating in the Faberllull residency.
Until 10 October, the three selected artists will focus on developing the projects proposed by Coccinella, Mixtvision, and Telos Editora, which are overseeing the creative process through virtual meetings. At the conclusion of the residency, and based on the outcomes, both parties will decide whether to formalise their collaboration through a publishing contract, with the aim of bringing the work to print.
The selected illustrators
Júlia Quintana (Martorelles) is working on the creation of a children’s picture book for the Italian publisher Coccinella, written by Chiara Sorrentino; Glàfira Smith (Valldoreix) is collaborating with the German publisher Mixtvision on the development of an educational book about sunglasses; and Francesca Corso (Palma) is working with the Brazilian publisher Telos Editora to illustrate At My Home, an intimate and poetic text written by Clara Haddad about the idea of home.
Programme of activities
The three illustrators arrived yesterday at Faberllull and will remain until 10 October. During this time, they will alternate between individual work sessions, collaborative activities, and virtual meetings with the publishers. They will also receive a visit from Paula Esparraguera, of Ute Körner Literary Agency, who will speak about portfolio internationalisation at the Bologna Book Fair and the subsequent negotiation of contract models. In addition, Àfrica Fanlo will lead a workshop on character design and creative printing, and Tina Vallès will offer guidance on how to conceive, develop, and structure the narrative of a children’s picture book.
Tomorrow, Thursday at 6 p.m., Glàfira Smith will present her graphic novel Trufa at the Isop Bookshop in Olot. The event will take the form of a conversation with visual artist and Olot School of Art professor Mireia Coromina. Admission is free.
On Thursday of next week, 9 October, at 5:30 p.m., in the children's section of the Marià Vayreda Library in Olot, Júlia Quintana will narrate her tale La Castanyera while simultaneously drawing live scenes and characters from the story. At the end of the session, she will give away the drawings by random draw among the audience, and children will also have the opportunity to colour selected sheets from La Castanyera, illustrated by Quintana.
Also next week, Francesca Corso will present her work and discuss her career with students in the advanced illustration programme at the Olot School of Art.
