SI LECTURE SERIES: Wild Blue Yonder: Illustrating on a Mission

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 6:30pm - 8:30pm Society of Illustrators 128 East 63 St, (between Lexington and Park Ave) $15 non-members, $10 members, $7 students

Documenting military operations in the United States through art can be traced back to our battle for independence. Today, even with the use of the camera, there is a need for the talents of the artist to document history. In 1950, the US Army transferred over 800 works of art documenting the early days of the Army Air Corps and its predecessor services.  In 1951, Society of Illustrators president and noted illustrator, Arthur William Brown accompanied a group of cartoonists on a tour of Cold War air bases and in 1952 arranged a 7000 mile tour with thirty Society of Illustrators artists. The USAF Art Program, as we know it today, began in 1954 when Lt. Col. William Lookadoo with the concurrence of Major General Sory Smith met with the Society of Illustrators Board of Directors. Lt. Col. George Bales, formalized the concept and became USAF Art Director. Today, with the participation of other organizations, there are over 10,000 works in the collection. Reproductions appear in publications and various media and the original art is displayed in museums, the Pentagon, Air Force bases and public exhibitions around the world. A panel discussion will be led by Director of the Air Force Art Program, Russell Kirk, along with illustrators Keith Ferris, Victor Juhasz and Melanie Reim RSVP@societyillustrators.org or call Katie Blocher at 212 838 2560