I’m thrilled to be illustrating two new picture books by the wonderful, Tara Lazar beginning with Party Animals, due out in Spring 2025 from Disney-Hyperion. I’ve been a fan of Tara and her books for a long time, so this is an honor. Not to mention I come from a long line of party animals, so the subject matter suits me perfectly!
[*Full disclosure: this announcement is a little late to this space. I’ve been busy drawing parties!]
It’s such a good feeling to be back at book festivals surrounded by readers and my fellow book creators! I hope to see you at these upcoming events in 2023:
Westchester Children’s Book Festival
White Plains, NY | April 29, 2023
Hudson Children’s Book Festival
Hudson, NY | May 6, 2023
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Chappaqua, NY | September 30, 2023
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
It’s hard to believe, but 2023 is just around the corner. For all you teachers and librarians out there, I’ll be participating in World Read Aloud Day again, which is on February 1st. I’d love to connect with you and your students for a reading, or to discuss my illustration process. As usual, the wonderful Kate Messner has graciously organized us all here. I hope to see you on WRAD!
UPDATE: MY SCHEDULE FOR WRAD 2023 IS FULLY BOOKED.
Cat and Duck are getting back together again. I’m happy to report my latest picture book gig, You Make Me Sneeze, a sequel to 2016’s You Are Not a Cat! , to be published by Astra Young Readers. Once again, I’m team up with the wonderful Sharon G. Flake, author of the much-beloved and awarded Y.A. novels The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In.