Whether it’s Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, or something more indie like Monster of the Week or Kids on Bikes, tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) have never been more popular. It’s also never been easier to start making and sharing your own games. Join games designer Misha Grifka Wander for an intensive workshop on designing, playtesting, and publishing your own games. This workshop is best for people who have some familiarity with TTRPGs already, and are interested in designing their own game. Come prepared to share ideas, read new things, and even play a few little games!

Bio:

Misha Grifka Wander (they/he) grew up in Ann Arbor and attended college in Chicago, where they learned about making comics in one of America’s greatest cities for independent comics creation. They worked at arts nonprofits for a while, started designing games in 2019, and got a PhD in English in 2024. Since then, they have learned to combine their skills with narrative, image, and design to create a business as a freelance designer, artist, writer, and editor. They have worked with a number of companies and artists, including Plus One Exp, Far Horizons Co-Op, Storybrewers Games, and others. They have a passion for teaching, acquired while teaching English in grad school, and experience with a wide variety of creative practices, including a two-time Hugo Award finalist placement as an editor of Ancillary Review of Books.

(Choose your dates and price you are able to pay. Best to do both sessions as they build on each other)

Have you ever wanted to make your own comic, graphic novel, or webtoon, but you

weren’t sure where to start? Or have you started on your idea, but are now wondering

whether you’re headed in the right direction? This two-session class will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of graphic storytelling, including the terms, tools, and techniques you need to make your own comics stand out. Come learn about timing Through panels, visual rhyming, crow quills and Bristol board, and so much more!

The first session will focus on the building blocks of graphic storytelling and what you need to know to understand what makes a comic successful. In the second session, we’ll zoom in to the specific techniques that make a comic great, and discuss how we can improve our own work. The sessions build on each other, so please plan on coming to both!

Bio:

Misha Grifka Wander (they/he) grew up in Ann Arbor and attended college in Chicago,

where they learned about making comics in one of America’s greatest cities for

independent comics creation. They worked at arts nonprofits for a while, started

designing games in 2019, and got a PhD in English in 2024. Since then, they have

learned to combine their skills with narrative, image, and design to create a business as

a freelance designer, artist, writer, and editor. They have worked with a number of

companies and artists, including Plus One Exp, Far Horizons Co-Op, Storybrewers

Games, and others. They have a passion for teaching, acquired while teaching English

in grad school, and experience with a wide variety of creative practices, including a two-

time Hugo Award finalist placement as an editor of Ancillary Review of Books.

Date: Friday, September 18th

Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Cost: $25

Tarot has accreted a rich set of symbols around it over many years, making it a great addition to any storyteller’s toolset. During this workshop we’ll share examples of Tarot used in art and writing, look at lots of Tarot decks for our reference and edification, and finally put our new tools to work! Our facilitator will provide a few examples of Tarot decks that inspire him. Please bring your own Tarot cards and ideas to enhance our discussions!

Cost: $35 per part (can be purchased together or separately)

Date/Time: Sept. 20th and/or 27th, 12 to 3 p.m.

Part 1: Cyanotype
Madison Cantrell will first introduce the cyanotype process, its history, and share some artist examples. Cantrell and participants will then go on a short walk to gather natural materials to create with (but also feel free to bring in your own objects!). You will then be led to create five unique sun prints of your own to take home!

Part 2: Toning
Part 2 of this cyanotype workshop requires participants to bring in their own cyanotypes (your results from Part 1 or a cyanotype that has been dry for 1-2 days). Cantrell will lead participants through various cyanotype toning methods and there will be an opportunity to share your results with the group at the end of the workshop. Tea will be provided!

Our 2025–2026 Youth Retrospectives are here — and every copy purchased keeps our doors open.

This collection holds the rawest, most powerful work from the LGBTQ+ youth poets and artists in our program this year. These are stories written in real time, by real kids, finding their voice and their community through art.

Your purchase, your impact:

1 copy — $20
Covers material costs for one workshop: paper, pens, books, journals, and the art supplies that turn a blank page into a breakthrough.

5 copies — $75
Funds stipends for our high school student mentors and editors — the young people who show up every week to learn publishing, podcasting, production, and editing, while lifting up the next generation of writers.

10 copies — $150
Supports an entire season of free K–12 programming. Become a champion of literary and cultural arts access for young people, year-round.

Every copy sold is a workshop funded, a mentor supported, a young writer's voice amplified.

When you buy a copy, you're not just getting a book — you're fueling a movement.

Dzanc House runs free, year-round programming for LGBTQ+ youth writers, poets, and artists — no cost to families, no barriers to entry. That only happens because readers like you show up.

Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30-9 pm, we host figure drawing that is guided by local artist, Erika Chesky. It is broken down into quick impressions in the beginning and as the workshop continues you’ll have longer periods to time to draw with greater detail.

There are breaks throughout the night for the model but also for everyone participating! This leaves us with 2 hours of time to draw.

This workshop is open to all levels and the only way to improve in drawing is through maintaining a consistent practice! It is ok to come if you do not feel confident in drawing. Everyone is very kind and encouraging too.

Thursday, August 20th, 5-7:30 pm

Join us to create one of a kind cards on the Risograph with collaging.

This is a fun introduction to the Risograph & the brilliant possibilities of print in this medium.

You will create 10 cards to take home, leaving you with enough to trade with other participants if you choose to participate in a swap.

Thursday, August 27th, 5-7:30 PM

Whether you want to make a poster for your favorite band or an upcoming protest—this workshop will go over the layering and digital aspects of creating a poster.

You may bring a laptop or tablet to access Canva for creating your posters or we will have some supplies available for drawing out a poster to use the copy machine function. You may also bring your own supplies!

In the workshop we will go over the various elements that are important when working with riso—so come prepared to learn, experiment, and have fun!

Each participant will receive 10 riso prints and are welcome to trade with other participants if interested.

After attending at least one workshop, you are able to attend lab hours! You may bring your own paper to use with your projects—as long as it is not glossy. However, if you do not bring your own paper we will have paper available for purchase in house.

The current colors we have in house are blue, green, florescent pink, and black.

Cost breakdown

$15/hour

$2.75 /master stencil

Price per impression:

1-20: 35 cents each

21-50: 30 cents each

51-100: 25 cents each

101+: 20 cents each

For more than the initial hour reserved you will pay for the cost breakdown above and additional time on-site.