It’s a busy day on the third floor of Camosun College’s Young building, where the soon-to-be graduates of the comic and graphic novels certificate program put the finishing touches on their 24-page portfolios.

They’ll be presenting their work alongside professional comic and graphic artists at the Camosun College Comic Conference, also known as 4C, on Sunday.

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The conference is open to the public from noon to 5 on the third floor of the Young building at the Camosun College Lansdowne campus. Admission is free.

Organizer Ken Steacy said the event is about more than highlighting student projects.

“The focus is on students and their work, but it will also help people understand the incredibly diverse and varied applications of these visual storytelling skills.”

The conference will provide discussion grounds for artists, publishers and fans, as well as teachers and students.

Scott Chantler, who wrote and illustrated Two Generals, a graphic memoir based on his grandfather’s experience in the Second World War, will give the keynote address.

Also speaking are Canadian Comic Book Hall of Fame inductees Katherine Collins, a.k.a. Arn Saba (Neil the Horse), Deni Loubert (Renegade Press), Sam Logan (Sam & Fuzzy) and Simon Roy (Jan’s Atomic Heart).

Nine local artists will also have displays with examples of their work and books for sale: Nelson Dewey, Gareth Gaudin, Janine Johnston, Glen Lovett, Glen Mullaly, Renée Nault, Ash Vickers and Ken and Joan Steacy.

A “comics jam” workshop will provide a crash course in the comic-making process.

“We’ll show the process of how a comic is created, from writing, pencilling, inking and colouring,” Steacy said.

And members of volunteer organization Superheroes of Victoria will pose in their costumes for a life-drawing session.

Steacy said the inspiration for the conference came from the Toronto Comic Art Festival, which drew about 18,000 attendees last year.

“We wanted to build something akin to that. Of course, Victoria doesn’t have the population that Toronto does, but we love Victoria and we’re so delighted we have a program here at Camosun,” he said.

The conference is a good way to encourage conversation about the form, beyond the school, he said.

Ken and Joan Steacy launched the comic and graphic novel certificate program in September 2012. Students can pursue six “career paths”: Comic books, comic strips, web comics, graphic novels, storyboards and edutainment comics.

Steacy said interest in visual storytelling is growing.

“Libraries and bookstores are filling up with graphic novels, this wonderful collision of words and pictures that have gained ascendancy as both a form of literature and art.

“We’re just seeing more and more widespread acceptance of visual storytelling as a communication form,” he said.

asmart@timescolonist.com