School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “Senior Show,” an exhibition of thesis projects by 60 BFA Illustration and BFA Comics seniors, curated by Kirk Benshoff, Associate Creative Director, First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers; Eliot Lilly, award-winning concept artist/educator; Lauren Panepinto, Vice President & Creative Director of Orbit Books at Hachette; and Viktor Koen, Chair, SVA BFA Comics and BFA Illustration. The exhibition will be on view from Thursday, April 6, through Monday, April 24, 2023, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery, 601 West 26th Street, 15th floor, New York City.

“Senior Show” exhibits a unique collection of senior projects for the industry and ushers in a new tradition, not only for our graduates but for the multitude of illustration and comics specialties they will join and deeply impact. These projects represent some of the most exciting achievements this generation of students has to offer, conceptualized, developed and completed in a wide variety of pictorial and storytelling formats and media.

The artistic path after graduation is often full of existential milestones and breakthroughs in concept, craft and direction. Students in the BFA Comics and BFA Illustration programs focus on fundamentals, expert advice, peer group dynamics and developing a unique artistic voice, all of which contribute to an artist’s determination to realize their ideas by making pictures and telling stories that matter. After all, a career in the arts never makes mathematical sense—it only makes dreams come true and gives artists the ability to shape visual culture.

These dreams are realized by matching talent to opportunity, a crucial promise made to graduates and the industry alike, actively promoted by exhibitions like “Senior Show.” The rest is in these graduates’ capable hands, guided by their instincts and imagination.

This year’s esteemed senior portfolio faculty includes Josh Bayer (BFA 2007 Cartooning and MFA 2009 Illustration as Visual Essay), Nicholas Bertozzi (MFA 2019 Art Practice), Steve Brodner, Joshua Cochran, Jensine Eckwall (BFA 2013 Illustration), Lisk Feng, Viktor Koen (MFA 1992 Illustration as Visual Essay), Cecilia Ruiz Lopez (MFA 2012 Illustration as Visual Essay), Anthony Macbain, Marvin Mattelson, Lily Padula (BFA 2013 Illustration), David Roman (BFA 1999 Cartooning), Matthew Rota (MFA 2008 Illustration as Visual Essay), Doug Salati (MFA 2014 Illustration as Visual Essay), Yuko Shimizu (MFA 2003 Illustration as Visual Essay), Vesper Stamper (MFA 2016 Illustration as Visual Essay), Sarah Vaccariello (BFA 2017 Illustration) and Sam Weber (MFA 2005 Illustration as Visual Essay).

Exhibition

The Senior Show

SVA Chelsea Gallery

Reception