Robyn Phillips-Pendleton is a visual storyteller, educator, designer, curator, and author, and her work has been showcased at national and international exhibitions. Notably, she co-curated the “Imprinted: Illustrating Race” exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum, which will travel nationally through 2026. Additionally, her roles as a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Illustrators NY and the Board of Trustees of the Norman Rockwell Museum underscore her significant contributions to the field.
Robyn’s active participation in various boards and organizations demonstrates her commitment to the illustration community. She serves as the 2026 ICON13 Board President, co-chaired the 2024 ICON12 PRISMS Education Symposium, and is involved with the International Association of Illustration Academics. She is also an associate editor of the Journal of Illustration and a United States Air Force Artist.
In academia, Robyn is a professor of Visual Communications at the University of Delaware and has served as the interim director of the MFA in Illustration Practice program at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her dedication to academic excellence and practical application is evident in her teaching and leadership roles.
Her research focuses on deconstructing race, identity, history, and societal issues through her illustrations, drawings, and paintings, reflecting her commitment to addressing important and complex themes. She lectures globally on the history of illustration and race, fostering awareness and education in these critical areas.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from Syracuse University, providing her with a strong foundation in communication and illustration. Overall, Robyn Phillips-Pendleton’s multifaceted roles and accomplishments make her a prominent figure at the intersection of illustration, education, and social consciousness, contributing to the ongoing discourse surrounding race, perception, and responsibility in the illustration field.
