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.

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.

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.