The Society of Illustrators, one of New York’s premier and longtime venues for showcasing the history and art of illustration, is currently running its annual juried exhibition recognizing outstanding creative work. Titled “Illustrators 68,” the two-part show features notable work created in 2025 by leading contemporary artists. This year, ten SVA community members were awarded across various categories, including advertising, surface/product design, animation, book illustration, and editorial illustration.

The first segment, “Illustrators 68th Annual Exhibition–Part One: Advertising, Institutional, Uncommissioned Categories,” is currently on view through Saturday, March 14. The second part, focusing on book and editorial work, opens on Saturday, March 21. Works from the surface/product design and animation categories will be on view throughout both shows. Here’s a look at the winning entries from SVA community members.

When creating the original posters for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2024 shows at the Tokyo Dome, BFA Illustration faculty member Yuko Shimizu (MFA 2003, Illustration as Visual Essay) drew inspiration from a traditional motif. In an Instagram post, Shimizu writes, “Fūjin Raijin is a very traditional motif in Japanese art. It means ‘Wind God, Thunder God.’ The wind god carries a big sack that has wind inside, and the thunder god has a circular drum set on his back. When I thought of a diptych specifically for the Japan tour, it had to be modern and pop, but also to celebrate Japan.”

Artist Johnny Dombrowski (BFA 2010 Illustration) did the cover art for StudiocanalUK’s 4K release of The Horror of Frankenstein (1970) on the occasion of the film’s 55th anniversary. 

For Australia's CSIRO National DNA Library, faculty member Maya Edelman animated vibrant scenes that capture how a DNA library for plants and animals can transform biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring in Australia.

For faculty member Eugenia Mello (MFA 2017 Illustration as Visual Essay), what began as a handful of drawings quickly evolved into a multi-hallway mural to help navigate the Live For The Arts festival at the Melia hotel in New York City. Mello credits faculty member ShinYeon Moon (MFA 2017 Illustration as Visual Essay) with empowering her to scale up the project and bring it to life with a team of artists, including Zhenyu Pan (BFA 2024 Illustration) and BFA Illustration student Phoebe O Chou.

Cecilia Ruiz (MFA 2012 Illustration as Visual Essay) designed the 2025 Día de Muertos collection for Target, celebrating the interconnectedness of life and death. 

Made as part of To Gaza With Love, a global initiative organized by Animation Community for Palestine to support the work of Palestinian educator and animation artist Haneen Koraz, faculty member Jeremiah Dickey (BFA 2001 Animation) hand-painted 450 frames to create A Poem In A Difficult Time.

Faculty member Suejee Lee (BFA 2018 3D Animation and Visual Effects) created her short, Whereabouts, during her time as an artist in residence at the SVA Risolab. Composed of riso-printed frames, the short follows a woman’s journey through New York City from sunrise to sunset, functioning as an observation on presence, connection, and the magic of moving through the world.

Faculty member Sakshi Jain (MFA 2019 Computer Arts) digitally compiled over 1500 improvised drawings, each smaller than a centimeter, into an animation to make So Many Different Things.

Atmospheric drawings by faculty member Matt Rota (MFA 2008 Illustration as Visual Essay) bring to life the rhythm, resilience, and everyday beauty of Mumbai in Timeless Mumbai: A Visual Journey Through Mumbai's Heritage.

Faculty member Melinda Beck’s illustration for The Gender Q, an article in the Brown Alumni Magazine about gender fluidity, showcases her signature style, reminiscent of her fall 2024 SVA subway poster.

“Illustrators 68” is made possible by a team of industry professionals, including BFA Illustration faculty members Marcos Chin and Ellen Weinstein as chair and assistant chair, respectively, along with a jury that includes 14 SVA community members. In addition to award-winning work, the exhibition will feature three books by Violeta Encarnación (BFA 2022 Illustration)—who created the poster art for this year’s call for entries—as well as illustrations and animations by 19 other SVA alumni and faculty members. “Illustrators 68th Annual Exhibition–Part One: Advertising, Institutional, Uncommissioned Categories,” will be displayed through Saturday, March 14. Part two, “Illustrators 68th Annual Exhibition – Part Two: Book, Editorial,” will be displayed Saturday, March 21, through Saturday, May 2, with a reception and awards ceremony on Friday, April 10. Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults. The exhibition is located at the Society’s headquarters at 128 East 63rd Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues.