Society of Illustrators facts for kids
 |
|
.jpg)
The society's headquarters in New York City since 1939
|
|
| Formation | February 1, 1901 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
Executive Director
|
Arabelle Liepold |
| Subsidiaries | Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art |
The Society of Illustrators (SoI) is a special group for artists in New York City. It started in 1901 to support the art of illustration. Since 1959, the Society has held a big art show every year.
In 2012, the Society also began promoting comics when it joined with the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA). Besides its own Museum of American Illustration, the Society hosts the yearly MoCCA Festival. This festival is a showcase for independent comics.
Contents
History of the Society
How the Society Started
The Society of Illustrators began on February 1, 1901. It was started by nine artists and one businessman. The businessman, Henry S. Fleming, helped with legal advice. He also served as the Society's Secretary and Treasurer for many years.
The nine artists who helped found the Society 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 could not become full members until 1922.
Helping During World War I
During World War I, Society members helped the country. With Charles Dana Gibson as president, they created many posters. One famous poster was James M. Flagg's Uncle Sam recruiting poster. They also made posters to encourage people to buy War Bonds.
Taking photos was hard during the war. So, 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. A member named Norman Mills Price wrote down the Society's early history in 1927 and 1939. His notes are kept in the Society's archives.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Society put on "Illustrator's Shows." These shows featured artists and their models as performers. Professional musicians and entertainers also joined in. In 1939, money from these shows helped the Society buy its current building. This building is at 128 East 63rd Street in New York City.
Helping During World War II
During World War II, the Society again helped with the war effort. They created many posters to support the country. Society members also visited hospitals to sketch wounded veterans. These drawings were sent to the families to cheer them up.
The Illustrator's Jazz Band was formed to entertain the wounded. A band with the same name still plays at Society events today.
After World War II
In 1946, a special fund was started to help artists who needed support. In 1948, the Society helped create the first "Code of Fair Practice." This code helps artists and art directors work together fairly. It deals with issues like who owns the rights to artwork.
Since 1954, the U.S. Air Force has sent Society members around the world. They document the Air Force's activities through art. This program continues today, with thousands of paintings created.
In 1959, the Society held its first Annual Exhibition. This show featured 350 original artworks. It also led to the first Illustrators Annual book. 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
In 2001, the Society celebrated its 100th birthday. The U.S. Postal Service even released stamps featuring "Great American Illustrators." That year, the Society also held a special exhibition called Prevailing Human Spirit after the 9/11 events.
In August 2012, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) joined the Society. The Society now supports the MoCCA Festival. Anelle Miller was the executive director from 2007 to 2023. She improved the museum and started many public programs. 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 awards for excellent illustration work. The Society has worked with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation since 2001. It has also partnered with the New York City Board of Education since 1999.
Leaders of the Society
As of 2023, Leslie Cober is the president of the Society of Illustrators.
Some important past presidents of the Society include:
- Charles Dana Gibson (1904–1905, 1909–1920)
- Albert Sterner (1907–1908) — he was a founding member
- George Hand Wright (1926–1927)
- Wallace Morgan (1929–1936)
- Harold von Schmidt (1938–1941)
- Albert Dorne (1947–1948)
Museum of American Illustration and Art Shows
.jpg)
The Museum of American Illustration opened at the Society in 1981. It was started under the leadership of John Witt, who was the Society's president. The Museum has a large collection of nearly 2500 artworks. These include pieces by famous artists like Norman Rockwell, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, and James Montgomery Flagg. These artworks are shown in different displays throughout the building.
The Museum hosts the Annual Illustration show. It also has smaller exhibits about illustration and comics. In recent years, the main galleries have shown popular exhibitions, such as:
- R. Crumb: Lines Drawn on Paper (2011)
- Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and his Work (2013)
- The ZAP Show (2016)
- Will Eisner: The Centennial Celebration (2017)
- The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece (2018)
- Illustrating Batman: Eighty Years of Comics and Pop Culture (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 in 1958. This award honors "distinguished achievement in the art of illustration." Norman Rockwell was the first person to receive this honor. Former Society presidents choose artists for their important contributions to illustration. Every year since 1958, new 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.
In 1965, the Society created the Hamilton King Award. This award is given every year to one Society member.
In 1981, the Society started the Student Scholarship Competition. This competition has been held every year since then. The highest award for a student is the Zankel Scholarship Award. It was created in 2006 to honor Arthur Zankel, who supported education.
