Saturday, September 9, 2023, Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration alumnus Wendell Minor ’66 will be inducted into the prestigious Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame.
Since 1958, the Society of Illustrators (SOI) has elected to its Hall of Fame artists recognized for their “distinguished achievement in the art of illustration.” According to their press release, artists are elected by a prestigious committee that includes former presidents of the Society and illustration historians. They are chosen based on their body of work and the impact it has made on the field of illustration. In addition to Minor, other honorees this year include contemporary illustrators Seymour Chwast and Barron Storey, as well as posthumous honorees Richard Amsel, Anna Whelan Betts, Reynold Brown, and Helen Hokinson.
“It is an honor to congratulate one of Ringling’s most celebrated and influential Illustration alumni, Wendell Minor,” said Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College. “His induction into the Hall of Fame of the Society of Illustrators is a true testament to his exceptional talent and work over the years. He now joins the ranks among many extraordinary artists and illustrators, a place that is very well-earned.”
Minor began his career as a book cover designer, creating iconic covers for noted authors David McCullough and Pat Conroy among many others. His transition to children’s book illustrator and author of over 60 award-winning books continues to be very rewarding. As a nature lover and history buff, Minor loves sharing those interests with children through the books he has authored or co-authored with Jean Craighead George, Tony Johnston, Robert Burleigh, Charlotte Zolotow, Margaret Wise Brown, Buzz Aldrin, Mary Higgins Clark, Jane Yolen, and last but not least, his wife Florence.
Minor’s books have received the Cook Prize, Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, New York Public Library’s 100 Best Books for Kids, Junior Library Guild Gold Selections, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Children, Outstanding Science Trade Books, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library selection, Pennsylvania One Book Every Young Child selection, ALA Notable Book, John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers, and the John and Patricia Beatty Award.
Minor was honored to be the 2018-2019 Artist Laureate of the Norman Rockwell Museum. He has an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Connecticut. Minor has exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Public Library, New Britain Museum of American Art, Eric Carle Museum, and Norman Rockwell Museum, among many others.
The Society of Illustrators will be honoring this year’s inductees at The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Details and tickets for the formal ceremony can be found on the Society’s website: https://societyillustrators.org/
