Welcome to the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators!
Welcome to the official website of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators (PSI), one of the largest non-profit groups of illustrators in the nation. The Society brings local illustrators together to facilitate artistic and professional growth, advocacy for artists’ rights, and the comradery and promotion of our collective Pittsburgh talent. With an enthusiastic volunteer base, PSI maintains a lively schedule of regular meetups and special events designed to educate, engage, and recognize working illustrators and students alike.
All PSI members and interested prospects and the public should click on the EVENTS icon above to stay informed on our busy calendar of events! New programs, presently being organized by our Board, will be announced once the dates are confirmed and will be available in person and on zoom.
Spring socials have resumed the second Tuesday of the month at J. Gough's, 4213 Murray Avenue PGH PA 15217 in Squirrel Hill (May 13, 2025 is our next one). Socials start at 6:30pm. Much discussion about the upcoming Heinz History Center exhibition 'My America: An Illustrated Experience' will occur at each social as well as other program planning. This is YOUR Society-come and hear what's happening and how your involvement enhances your career. Appetizers are provided by PSI as individuals pay for their own beverages.
In the summer months we rotate around to member studios for socials. These will be announced on our Basecamp site and on this website as they are planned. READ MORE
Upcoming Events
2025 PSI program planning continues:
CONFIRMED: An in-person presentation by one of our most notable long-time members, WAYNO, artist for the syndicated Bizarro strip, on Thursday May 29 2025, at Kim Fox/Workerbird studio-415 West Warrington Avenue PGH PA 15210 (near the south entrance of the Liberty Tunnels). WAYNO has a lifetime of awards, artwork, comic strips, and personal influences to share that are valuable for every illustrator to take in. Cartoonists, as well as all PSI members, Full and Affiliate, mark your calendars NOW! Members bringing pot luck foods, beverages and AV set up material arrive at 6:30, the program starts at 7pm. All Full and Affiliate members are cordially invited.
CONFIRMED: an in-person presentation by kidlit star Rebecca Green organized by PSI's own Laura Garvin and our Board. Tuesday evening June 17, 2025 at 7pm at The Hub Works community space in nearby West View (North Hills). Hub Works is located at 435 Perry Hwy, West View PA 15229 only a few minutes off I-279. Rebecca's presentation will give all our members great ideas for expanding their own personal marketing and re-using already created images for multiple sales use! Don't miss this excellent illustrator coming in from upstate NY for this presentation. Members bringing pot luck food offerings, beverages and set up materials arrive at 6:30-program starts at 7pm. All Full and Affiliate members are cordially invited.
PLANNED: Scott Mason, Fashion and Event Illustrator hailing from London, UK. Tara Zalewski is working on this program with the PSI Board. Scott would be open to lecturing to PSI on his art and Live Illustration work in an hour long Zoom with lecture/demo for 30 - 45 min and Q&A at the end. PSI would plan a group meeting at Tara's studio in Monroeville and members who couldn’t make it could join in on Zoom. Stay tuned for final scheduling of this presentation.
MY AMERICA: An Illustrated Experience Exhibition News
JURYING WAS COMPLETED SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2025. 51 PSI members submitted 117 works and statements to the jury. After a day-long process, 59 pieces by 35 members were pulled together for this exhibition. Members have been notified; awards have been decided but will be announced later in the year.
The PSI Board and Exhibition Team thank everyone who assisted with the check-in, art moving to the 5th floor, jury assists, taking artwork back to exit site, and handling all kinds of tasks during the day. This was truly an impressive volunteer achievement. Our jury of Chris (CF) Payne, Clayton Merrell, Paul Schifino, Anne Madarasz and Jeffrey Brodie were impressed by the teamwork. please contact Kathy Rooney me@krooney.net
My America: An Illustrated Experience is an exhibition opening in the fall date TBA. This Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators exhibition at the Heinz History Center's Barensfeld Gallery will commemorate America’s 250th Semiquincentennial in 2026 and PSI’s 30th Anniversary. The exhibit will open in the Fall of 2025 and run for at least 15 months through 2026. Through individual illustrations created by PSI members, the exhibit will help public audiences reflect upon American ideals such as freedom, resilience, democracy, independence, equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, diversity, self-government, and justice. PSI will help Heinz History Center patrons appreciate how these ideals have been advanced throughout the course of American history. Relevant items from the HHC collections may be displayed next to some of the respective artworks.
