Join us for a focused and practical conversation on how to guide high school students through the art and design portfolio process. Moderated by Joy Pace, Director of Visual Arts at NYC Public Schools, this session brings together voices directly involved in preparing, reviewing, and supporting teen artists as they take their next steps.
David Elmo Cooper walks us through his step-by-step process for illustrating The Doll Test: Choosing Equality, which tells the story of the Clarks’ landmark research on racial bias and self-perception in Black children. He explains how historical research guided his visual decisions and how he skews perspective intentionally to echo the way Black history has often been distorted or overlooked. Through composition, angle, and sequence, he shows how illustration can carry both the emotional truth of a moment and the weight of its historical context.
Doug Salati, Caldecott winner, author, and illustrator, walks us through the importance of maintaining a sketchbook as a living part of the creative process. He illustrates how sketchbooks function as a place for gathering ideas, exploring visual problems, and experimenting without expectation, allowing new directions and solutions to emerge organically.
Carl Potts draws on his experience as both a comics editor and SVA professor to show how literature can be translated into effective sequential storytelling. He unpacks how creators decide which visuals to show, how those images are juxtaposed and ordered, and how framing, angle, and layout shape the reader’s understanding of each moment. By adjusting what is emphasized within a panel and how elements relate to one another, the artist guides point of view, controls pacing, and builds the emotional and structural rhythm of the story.
An interactive virtual session designed specifically for high school art teachers, focusing on preparing students’ portfolios for college applications. Led by Spy Kontarinis, an experienced art teacher and assistant principal at a screened school, alongside a representative from SVA’s Admissions Office, this event offers practical strategies and expert insights on portfolio development and college readiness.
Eugenia Mello, illustrator, art director, and educator, shares her personal journey of discovering her unique visual voice. Through exploring what deeply moves her—both emotionally and physically—Eugenia reveals how embracing her human experiences shaped her artistic style. This inspiring talk offers insights into translating personal moments into meaningful, authentic work.
In partnership with the SVA BFA Illustration and Comics department, SVA Humanities and Sciences developed The Elements of Storytelling course to support Junior year illustration and comics students in creating compelling, meaningful narratives within their work. By analyzing and applying storytelling techniques, students connect literary elements with their creative processes in media, such as comics and illustration.
A dynamic panel discussion led by Linda Kourkoulis, Curriculum Coordinator for Art Education at SVA, featuring insights from Spy Kontarinis (Assistant Principal, Edward R. Murrow High School), Rachel Shapiro (Art Coordinator, Borough of Manhattan), and Simona Auerbach (Educator). Explore innovative strategies and perspectives to inspire and transform art education.
Elliot Lilly, concept artist, delves into the art of world-building, showing how technical skills in drawing and painting can be merged with research and invention to create immersive, believable worlds. In this talk, Elliot offers insights into how aspiring artists can blend creativity with technical expertise to craft compelling environments and characters, while also finding their place in the dynamic world of gaming.
Join Anna Raff, acclaimed children's book illustrator and professor in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program at SVA, as she explores the art of humor in illustration. In this engaging talk, Anna shares techniques and insights on how to infuse your work with wit, charm, and comedic timing to captivate audiences of all ages.
