The Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators is pleased to announce that they have partnered with the High School of Art & Design to offer free High School Virtual Sketch Sessions once a month until the end of the 2021 school year. The High School Virtual Sketch Sessions are open to all majors and taught by professional illustrators. During each Virtual Sketch Session, students will draw from a live, clothed model and receive drawing instruction and critiques to help them build more competitive visual art portfolios. Students will be introduced to different artists’ career paths and encouraged to ask questions. This program series is part of the SI Illustration Art Education Grades K-12 Programs that have recently been restructured for online delivery.

On Wednesday, January 27 award-winning fashion illustrator Bil Donovan led two High School Virtual Sketch Sessions for 68 Junior students and 36 Senior students. The program began and ended with drawing the live model during a series of short and long poses. During a break, Bil shared images of his work, talked about his career as a fashion illustrator, and gave a short watercolor painting demonstration. Students asked a variety of questions that were answered live by Bil. 

Like other NYC art institutions, the Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators was closed to the public from March 14 to September 9 due to COVID-19. Regardless of the closure, the 120-year-old nonprofit arts organization’s dedicated staff of eight continued to advance its mission of promoting the art of illustration by restructuring programs and exhibits online that ultimately served 50,000 members and friends worldwide in 2020. These visual art services are only made possible through grants, donations and membership dues. To learn more about becoming an SI member and making a tax-deductible contribution, contact Marketing & Business Manager Lindsay Nichols at 212-838-2560 or lindsay@societyillustrators.org.