Gone but not forgotten, the SUNY at Buffalo Illustration Program produced some great artists during its run. This group is a place for veterans of the program to unite, reconnect, and network. Whether you're a full-fledged alumnus or only took a few courses in Illustration at UB, or if you're one of the indiviuals who taught classes, you're all welcome to be a part of this group.

The UB Illustration Program was created in the mid 1980's by associate professor (and children's book illustrator) Kathleen C. Howell. She brought in Alan E. Cober as the visiting super-star illustrator/professor in 1987. During its heyday the program became one of the finest in the United States, playing host to many visiting contributors including Sue Coe, Marshall Arisman, C.F. Payne, Gary Kelley, Jerry Pinkney, Milton Glaser, Etienne Delessert, Anita Kunz, Mary Grand Pre, and Brad Holland.

Former students of the program include such talents as Joel Peter Johnson, Barry Fitzgerald, Joe Thiel, Dan Zakroczemski, Glynis Sweeney, Michael Woloschinow, Lisa Haney, Laurie Luczak, Jane Marinsky and numerous others who have gone on to pursue successful careers in the field of illustration.

I too was fortunate enough to be a student in the program at its pinnacle, during the late 80's when the Innovators of American Illustration lecture series brought in various famous guests to visit our classroom and give us advice on our work. It was an amazing/intense time, and Kathy and Cober were visionary educators.

As time rolled on and I went on to pursue my own illustration career, I was eventually invited back to teach classes at UB, which I did (off and on) for roughly 12 years until the program was unfortunately discontinued in 2005. I'm honored to have played a roll (as both student and teacher) in such a successful illustration program, and I'm pleased to see that happily the legacy lives on in the many talented students who have emerged from UB Illustration.

-Scott Swales

SOME GUIDELINES FOR POSTING:

Feel free to use the Bulletins space for things such as... posting announcements about upcoming exhibitions you (or other UB Illustrators) are doing, or to promote places where your work has been recently published, or for posting other items you wish to call people's attention to. Keep in mind that no public replies can be posted in response to bulletins.

Post items in the Forum space that you wish to openly discuss with other members of the group. For instance, you could talk about particular assignments you may be working on, get feedback on your ideas, post a link to your website so people can visit, talk about your past experience at UB, etc.