Society of Illustrators facts for kids
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| Formation | February 1, 1901 |
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| Founders | Henry S. Fleming, Otto Henry Bacher, Frank Vincent DuMond, Henry Hutt, Albert Wenzell, Albert Sterner, Benjamin West Clinedinst, F. C. Yohn, Louis Loeb, and Reginald Birch |
| Purpose | Encourage high ideals through exhibitions, lectures, education, and by fostering a sense of community and open discussion. Its mission is to promote the art and appreciation of illustration and comics, as well as their history. |
| Headquarters | 128 E. 63rd Street New York City, U.S. |
| Fields | Illustration and Comics |
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Executive Director
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Arabelle Liepold |
| Subsidiaries | Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art |
The Society of Illustrators (often called SoI) is a special group for artists in New York City. It started in 1901 to support and celebrate the art of illustration.
Since 1959, the Society has held an annual art show. In 2012, it joined with the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA). Now, the Society also helps promote the art of comics.
Besides its own Museum of American Illustration, the Society also hosts the yearly MoCCA Festival. This festival is a big event for independent comics.
Contents
History of the Society of Illustrators
How the Society Started
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The Society of Illustrators began on February 1, 1901. It was founded by nine artists and one businessman. The businessman, Henry S. Fleming, helped with legal advice and managed the Society's money for many years.
The nine artists who started the Society with Fleming were Otto Henry Bacher, Frank Vincent DuMond, Henry Hutt, Albert Wenzell, Albert Sterner, Benjamin West Clinedinst, F. C. Yohn, Louis Loeb, and Reginald Birch.
Their main goal was "to promote generally the art of illustration and to hold exhibitions from time to time." At first, women could only be "Associate Members" starting in 1903. These included Elizabeth Shippen Green and Florence Scovel Shinn. However, women were not allowed to be full members until 1922.
Helping During World War I
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During World War I, Charles Dana Gibson was the president of the Society. Members helped the war effort by creating many original posters.
One famous poster was James M. Flagg's Uncle Sam recruiting poster. They also made posters to encourage people to buy War Bonds, which helped pay for the war.
Since photography was difficult during the war, eight Society members became Captains in the Engineers. They were sent to France to sketch the war scenes. After the war, the Society even ran a school for soldiers who were injured.
Between the World Wars
In 1920, the Society became an official organization. In 1922, women were finally allowed to become full members.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the Society put on "Illustrator's Shows." These were fun events where artists and their models acted, sang, and designed sets. Famous performers like the Cotton Club band also joined in.
In 1939, money from these shows helped the Society buy its current home. This building is located at 128 East 63rd Street in New York City. Norman Rockwell even donated his painting Dover Coach to be a backdrop for the bar in the new building. This painting is still there today.
Helping During World War II
During World War II, the Society again helped with the war effort. They created a huge number of posters. Society members also visited hospitals to sketch wounded soldiers. These drawings were sent to the soldiers' families to cheer them up.
The Illustrator's Jazz Band was formed to entertain the wounded soldiers. A band with the same name still plays at Society events today.
After World War II
In 1946, a special fund was created to help artists who were struggling.
In 1954, the U.S. Air Force started a program with the Society. They sent Society members around the world to draw and paint the Air Force's activities. This program is still going on today, and thousands of paintings have been created.
In 1959, the Society held its very first Annual Exhibition. Famous artists like Bob Peak helped choose the artworks. This show led to the first Illustrators Annual book being published.
In 1981, the Society opened its doors to the public. It created the Museum of American Illustration, which holds regular art shows.
The 21st Century
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In 2001, the Society celebrated its 100th birthday! The U.S. Postal Service even released stamps featuring "Great American Illustrators." That year also included a special art show called Prevailing Human Spirit to remember 9/11.
In August 2012, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) joined the Society. The Society now helps support the MoCCA Festival.
Anelle Miller was the executive director from 2007 to 2023. She improved the exhibition spaces and started many new programs for the public. Arabelle Liepold took over this role in June 2023.
The Society of Illustrators publishes an annual book of illustrations. It also holds competitions for student scholarships and gives out awards for excellent illustration work. The Society has also worked with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation since 2001 and the New York City Board of Education since 1999.
Presidents of the Society
As of 2023, Leslie Cober is the president of the Society of Illustrators.
Here are some important past presidents of the Society:
- Charles Dana Gibson (1904–1905, 1909–1920)
- Albert Sterner (1907–1908) — He was one of the founding members!
- George Hand Wright (1926–1927)
- Wallace Morgan (1929–1936)
- Harold von Schmidt (1938–1941)
- Albert Dorne (1947–1948)
Museum of American Illustration and Exhibitions
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The Museum of American Illustration opened at the Society in 1981. The Society has a large collection of nearly 2500 artworks. These include pieces by famous artists like Norman Rockwell, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, James Montgomery Flagg, Bob Peak, and Bernie Fuchs. These artworks are shown in different displays throughout the building.
The Museum hosts the Annual Illustration show and smaller exhibits about illustration and comics. In recent years, the main galleries have shown many popular and acclaimed exhibitions, such as:
- R. Crumb: Lines Drawn on Paper (March 23 - April 11, 2011)
- Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and his Work (June 11 - August 17, 2013)
- The ZAP Show (March 2 - May 17, 2016)
- Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration 1917–2017 (March 1 - June 3, 2017)
- The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece (February 28 - June 30, 2018)
- Illustrating Batman: Eighty Years of Comics and Pop Culture (June 12 - October 12, 2019)
The Society also has a gallery on the second floor just for MoCCA. This gallery often shows smaller exhibits of comic book art.
Awards and Recognition
The Society of Illustrators started its Hall of Fame program in 1958. This program honors "distinguished achievement in the art of illustration." The first person to be recognized was Norman Rockwell. Former Society presidents choose artists for their important contributions to illustration. Every year since 1958, one or more illustrators have been added to the Hall of Fame.
In 2001, two more awards were added: the Dean Cornwell Recognition Award and the Arthur William Brown Achievement Award. These can be given out every year.
In 1965, the Society created the Hamilton King Award. This award is given each year to one Society member.
In 1981, the Society started the Student Scholarship Competition. This competition has continued every year since then. The highest award given to a student is the Zankel Scholarship Award. It was created in 2006 to honor Arthur Zankel, who supported higher education.
