21Mar

Illustration program thrives, announces York agreement

When Seneca’s Independent Illustration program launched in 2010 there were concerns that some of the major markets for illustration — magazines, newspapers and print media — were in decline.

Eight years later, the program is thriving and launched a new articulation agreement with York University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts at The Spoke Club on Monday, March 12.

“Illustration has more than survived, it is robust and exciting, and is pushing and leading its way into new and established industries,” says JoAnn Purcell, program co-ordinator and professor.

A crowd of students, artists and faculty celebrated this announcement alongside the launch of Jaleen Grove’s book, The History of Illustration, with contributions from JoAnn.

Also featured at this event was a sneak preview (shown above) of Seneca’s upcoming American Illustration collection — an archive of more than 4,000 original drawings, prints and paintings from the 1850s to 1950 — which will be housed at Seneca@York Campus starting this summer.