A 17-page 7.5 x 11 comic created by Steph Doby and edited by Nick Jackson, Issue #1, May 2024 Developed by Project Onward Stephon Doby (b.1989) makes comics, drawings and paintings inspired by high school memories, teen dramas, anime, sports, and romance. His work strives to be inclusive across the categories of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and disability status. Doby was born and raised on the west side of Chicago, until the blizzard of 2014, when he moved to Lincoln Park. Doby is currently hard at work expanding the "Dobyverse," which includes the stories of Alter Gender, Mermaidopolis, Special Girls, and Team Spirit. He's been an artist at Project Onward since 2010. Since 2004, Project Onward has become a leader in the field of disability arts for its innovative blend of accuracy, artistic excellence and social engagement. Project Onward is a studio and gallery dedicated to the creative growth of adult artists whose lives are impacted by mental illness and developmental disabilities. Their non-profit studio is inclusive and embraces artists with a wide range of life experiences. Some are self-taught artists who have Autism, while some are formally-trained artists who have bipolar disorder. There are other artists with challenges that are equally complex. However, all of them willingly explore the innermost recesses of their minds to create powerful works of art. Project Onward supports the endeavors of more than 60 extraordinary artists. Many have received accolades for artistic excellence. Artworks created at our studio in Chicago are widely exhibited, and can be found in private, and corporate collections throughout the world. Most of the artists live on low incomes and can’t afford to pay for studio space, or purchase supplies. So there is no cost for them to be a part of Project Onward. Their studio seeks the support of individuals and organizations who are willing to help their artists continue their amazing journeys by “paying it forward” through financial contributions and volunteerism.
