The Original Art 46th Exhibition Opens at Society of Illustrators, Upper East Side, NYC

The Society of Illustrators on the Upper East Side opens the 46th edition of The Original Art, its annual showcase of illustrations from the year's best children's books published in the U.S. The show runs from Oct. 31, 2026 through Jan. 30, 2027 in the first-floor gallery.

Nearly 200 works were chosen from more than 800 submissions. The Society describes the exhibit as a talent pool for editors and art directors, a chance for art students to study original work up close, and for the public a look at the range of styles and visual storytelling in children's books.

The show was founded by painter, art director and artists' representative Dilys Evans and first mounted in 1980 at the Master Eagle Gallery in New York. It drew a proclamation of appreciation from the mayor's office, and in 1990 it moved to the Society's museum, where it became juried. A committee of children's book artists, art directors, editors and publishers picks the books and awards Gold and Silver medals, plus the Dilys Evans Founders Award for a promising newcomer.

This year's winners are Micha Archer (Gold Medal), E.B. Goodale and Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Silver Medals) and Neena Phan (Founders Award). David Wiesner and James Marshall receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Related programs include a free members-only preview on Oct. 30, 3 to 7 p.m.; a panel and AALA networking event on how illustrators get chosen on Nov. 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; the opening reception and awards ceremony on Nov. 13 (doors 5:30 p.m., ceremony 6:30 p.m., RSVP or ticket required); and a panel, Some Funny Women of Picture Books, on Nov. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The catalog for last year's 45th exhibition is sold in the Society's shop.