The Book Show at the School of Visual Arts

December 2, 2022

Illustration by Tae Kim, MFAI ‘23 | @jjangga_tjk

A scholarship has been established in honor of MFA Illustration as Visual Essay founder and longtime chair, Marshall Arisman, to provide financial support to future MFAI students. To make a donation, visit the Visual Arts Foundation website and include “Marshall Arisman Scholarship Fund” in the comment field.

This year marks my 5th teaching in the MFA Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts, and my 4th year curating “The Book Show,” an exhibition of work by our students. But it is also a first, as we forge on without the calm, steady guidance of our program’s founder, Marshall Arisman. A few weeks ago, as I helped the Class of 2023 install their work—the last group he taught—I tried my best to channel him. As I advised each student, I found myself repeating the same words I’d heard Marshall say so many times at big moments like this (and on occasion to me): “You should be proud of yourself.” And now I have to say it—I am proud. Proud of myself, but mostly proud that this group of kind, talented, thoughtful artists pulled through, presenting an enormous, impressive body of work. Their dedication is reflected on the walls and in the pages of each book.

The signage for the exhibition says, “Curated by Anna Raff”, but my teaching partner, Marshall had as much to do with the quality of the students’ work as I did. I was overruled when I asked to have his name added before mine as curator, as was our usual way. But I’m very happy that the next line reads, “Dedicated to Marshall Arisman.” I think Marshall would be proud too.

“The Book Show” is free to the public and open to through January 14, 2023. If you would like to attend, visit the MFAI Eventbrite site for times and vaccine requirements. To learn more, here’s a link to the SVA website.

Helen Ji, *Mural of Akabalon*, MFAI ‘23 | @helenjeeeee

Katy Freeman, *The Reunion*, MFAI ‘23 | @katyfree

Junjun Che, *Moonlit Night*, MFAI ‘23 | @junjundraws

Weston Wei, *Ignite*, MFAI ‘23 | @westonweiart

Xinyue Chen, *The Big Girl*, MFAI ‘23 | @maiyashu

SVA Summer Residency 2018

July 6, 2018

This month marks my fifth summer teaching in the School of Visual Arts Residency. Each year, a diverse group of students from around the world gather to immerse themselves in the New York illustration scene. As usual, this year's crop produced a stunning array of work. Here is just a small sampling from this terrific group. [Links to their instagram pages can be found with each image.]

Teaching at the SVA Summer Residency

July 9, 2017

This week brought to a close another June of teaching Illustration at the School of Visual Arts Summer Residency. Now in it’s tenth year, the residency gives artists a chance to immerse themselves in the New York illustration world through a rigorous program of coursework, as well as visits with professionals, organizations, and exhibitions.

Focusing on narrative illustration, my class guides students through the creation of a series of images inspired by a text of their choosing. As a teacher, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the development of these projects, from sketches to finished art, culminating with their Open Studios exhibition at the end of course.

Below is just a small sampling of work from this talented group.

For more information about SVA’s Summer Residency, click here.

The SVA Summer Residency in Illustration

June 30, 2016

Yesterday marked the completion of my third year teaching in the Illustration Summer Residency at the School of Visual Arts. Led by coordinator Viktor Koen, illustrators Paul Hoppe, Andrea Tsurumi, Lisel Ashlock, and myself, students absorb all they can from the New York illustration scene, while honing their skills in an intensive month-long program.

My class focuses on narrative illustration, for which students come armed with a short text of their choice to develop into a series of images. As in past years, they were a very international group—with only two from North America—and created projects that were as diverse as their home countries. All in all, the residency makes for a very rewarding gig for me. The photo above shows us celebrating all their hard work at last night's open studio reception, and below is a small sample of their work.

Women in Illustration at SVA

February 3, 2016

I'm thrilled to be part of an exhibition at the School of Visual Arts this month. "Women in Illustration" features the work of nine graduates of the Illustration as Visual Essay program who have authored or illustrated books in the past year. If you look at this list of talent, you'll understand why I'm pinching myself at being included: Dasha Tolstikova, Joana Avillez, Lisel Ashlock, Cecilia Ruiz, Sara Varon, Lauren Redniss, Natalya Balnova, and Yuko Shimizu.

Please join us for the opening reception Wednesday, February 10th at 6PM, at the SVA Gramercy Gallery, 209 East 23rd Street, New York, NY. If that's not convenient, the show is up from February 6th through March 3rd. For more information, please click here.