The Society of Illustrators in New York is a non-profit art organization and museum dedicated to comics, comic strips, and other forms of illustrative art. It’s a charming gallery filled with wonderful artifacts for fans of classic American comics and animation.
Founding History
The building that now houses the museum has a rich and layered history. It was built in 1875 as a carriage house for William P. Read, the personal secretary (or, in modern terms, legal counsel) of financier J. P. Morgan. Read himself is believed to have lived either on Fifth Avenue or in a house overlooking the East River.
The building’s facade features the distinctive Egg and Dart molding, an Ionic architectural ornament that became a signature of the renowned architect Stanford White. This may have been one of his first architectural projects — he was just 22 years old in 1875.
At the turn of the 20th century, the building was purchased by two brothers who converted it into residential apartments and installed a squash court in the rear of the ground floor.
In 1939, the building became the headquarters of the Society of Illustrators, made possible by funds raised through the sale of rights to illustration sketches for the Broadway revue Artists and Models. The facade up to the third floor was clad in cobalt blue glass, and for a long time, the front door was painted red.
Over the years, the building has undergone many renovations. The mezzanine once housed a reception area and kitchen serving the clubroom. The third floor contained a library, lounge, and game room, which later became a dining hall and Hall of Fame. The floor above — now the library — was originally a lounge with a bar intended for program events. The bar was located in what is now the library office.
On the top floor, where the Permanent Collection is now displayed, there were once life drawing classes and an apartment for the building’s caretaker. This apartment was converted into offices and storage in 2007.
By 1952, the third floor had been renovated again — a new bar was added with carved elements from Charles Dana Gibson’s dining table. In 1951, the ground floor gallery hosted the Society’s 50th Anniversary Dinner, opening this level to the general public for the first time.
Collection and Exhibitions
The museum’s permanent collection holds around 2,500 works, including pieces by renowned artists such as Norman Rockwell, Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, James Montgomery Flagg, Bob Peak, and Bernie Fuchs. These works are periodically displayed throughout the museum’s galleries, giving visitors a glimpse into the rich history of American illustration.
Main Exhibitions
- The Original Art Exhibit (October 26, 2024 – February 1, 2025)
An annual exhibition highlighting the year’s best children’s book illustrations, selected by a jury of industry professionals. - Illustrators 67th Annual Exhibition (February 8 – April 12, 2025)
A prestigious annual show presenting outstanding contemporary illustration from around the world. - Made in New York (January 10 – May 4, 2024)
An exhibition spotlighting six contemporary artists shaping New York’s comics scene: Josh Bayer, E. A. Bethea, Juliette Collet, Austin English, Angela Fanche, and John Mejias. Curated by Bill Kartalopoulos, programming director of the MoCCA Arts Festival. - Drawn From The New Yorker: A Centennial Celebration (January 16 – March 2025)
A special anniversary show celebrating the 100th anniversary of The New Yorker magazine, focusing on its contributions to the art of illustration. - Modern Comics
An exhibition featuring works by four artists whose comics are considered outstanding achievements in contemporary comic art: John Hankiewicz, Aidan Koch, Olivier Schrauwen, and Leil Westwind.
Fun Facts
- The museum’s MoCCA Fest is one of the largest independent comics events in the world, attracting hundreds of artists, publishers, and fans. Visitors can meet legendary creators as well as new voices just starting out.
- Past exhibitions have included retrospectives of industry legends such as Stan Lee and Will Eisner, as well as themed shows on iconic characters from Harvey Comics (Richie Rich, Wendy, Casper, and more).
- The museum even made an appearance in Archie Digest Magazine No. 260 — the characters visit MoCCA, and real museum staff appear in the panels.
Visitor’s Information
Website: www.societyillustrators.org
📍 Address: 128 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065
Admission: $15
