The Women’s March: Artists Bring Their Talents
Normally on a Sunday I like to do a light little Video Sunday piece, just highlighting the vids of the week. Not today. In light of yesterday’s record breaking marches worldwide, I’d like to pay homage to the children’s book illustrators that used their considerable talents to support the march, marchers, and more. In case you missed them, here are the artists who deserve a fair tip of the hat.
By the way, I’m going to include not just posters at the march in this post but any art that seemed to be created specifically with the march in mind. If you know of an artist of children’s books that did something and that isn’t included here, mention it in the comments.
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Mary Engelbreit
I knew that Ms. Engelbreit had made Black Lives Matter posters in the past, but it still surprises me a little whenever I see her latest work. I should stop being surprised. Just because someone draws art that can be categorized as “cute” doesn’t mean they’re incapable of being strong. Here’s a piece of art that Ms. Engelbreit produced specifically so that protestors could download and use it for free:
Amy Ignatow
This one gets a special creativity award. Wook at the widdle handsies!
Cece Bell
Very nice. There was an organized Kidlit portion of the DC march & Cece Bell’s poster was the rallying image: https://www.facebook.com/KidlitMarches/
Lisa Brown
Nidhi Chanani
She of the upcoming middle grade graphic novel Pashmina from First Second.
Chris Rashcka
Some folks prefer to knit.
Carson Ellis
Some don’t.
Robin Preiss Glasser
Victoria Jamieson
Who, fair play to her, sent me about four of these images.
Lauren Castillo
Sally Mavor
Charise Mericle Harper
Jessixa Bagley
Barbara McClintock
Yuyi Morales
Dan Santat
He did three, so he’s the perfect person to round us out here today.
Well done, guys. Well done.
Many thanks to Sharyn November for her help in tracking some of these down.
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Sally Mavor is doing amazing things with her wee folk.
Thanks!
Just yesterday, a friend guided me to look at her work and it IS amazing. So gentle and detailed, yet layered with intense criticism and satire. A great example of art and politics colliding. I’m looking forward to her next piece.
I was at the Boston Women’s March for America yesterday. I wish I could have captured every sign there. They were magnificent. So were the women, children, and men on the Commons (150,000 of us). My favorite work of art on the march was of a naked woman with a Statue-of-Liberty crown and torch and a caption that read Anti-grabity. I’ve never felt more American in my life.
Thanks for sharing these! There was an organized Kidlit portion of the DC march & Cece Bell’s poster was for that! https://www.facebook.com/KidlitMarches/
Thank you!
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Nate Powell, illustrator of John Lewis’ March trilogy, made a fabulous poster that is available for free download!
Oo. Gonna go look that up.
Do you a have a link for Nate Powell’s? I have searched but cannot find it.
Nor I for that matter.
Sorry, I think he plans to send out a link to it soon!
Yet another reason to be proud and delighted that I’m part of the community of children’s book people.
And Sophie Blackall: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154978673118748&set=a.10151513059988748.1073741825.669013747&type=3&theater
Indeed! Though she didn’t do the torches. They were by another woman, an adult artist named Ann Agee. And so, alas, I didn’t include her.
I love these posters!! Thank you for sharing, Betsy!!
I marched on Washington with my husband and many of my colleagues on Saturday. It was one of the most transforming moments of my life. The posters and the art – all part of the power.
We will keep fighting. For everyone.