Welcome to the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators!
Welcome to the official website of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators (PSI), one of the largest illustrators' societies in the nation. The Society brings local illustrators together to facilitate artistic and professional growth, advocacy for artists’ rights, and the comaradarie 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 inform working illustrators, buyers, the public, 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/or on zoom.
SOCIALS AT J GOUGHS RESUME ON SECOND TUESDAYS
TUESDAYS JAN 13, FEB 10, MAR 10, APR 14, MAY 12, 2026 6:30-9:30pm
Second Tuesday socials will resume the second Tuesdays of the month at J. Gough's, 4213 Murray Avenue PGH PA 15217 in Squirrel Hill. Socials at J Gough's start at 6:30pm.
Feel free to welcome friends, non-members, prospective members, and bring work, works in progress, promos, questions and ideas for future programming—this is YOUR society!
PSI needs YOUR input for programming. Come to the socials to propose who you want to come speak, programs you would like to see, topics you want to pursue--it's your Society! Much discussion every meeting about our 30th anniversary Heinz History Center exhibition 'My America: An Illustrated Experience' and the educational panels and programming we will be involved with all year in conjunction with this important exhibition celebrating the 30th Anniversary of PSI and America 250.
Appetizers are provided gratis by PSI as individuals pay for their own beverages.
All reminders will be announced on our Basecamp site and on this website as they are confirmed. READ MORE
Upcoming Events
PROGRAMS FOR ALL FULL AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS and GUESTS
Programs for 2026 are almost entirely confirmed. Come one come all! Mark your calendars NOW!
MAY 3, 2026 SUNDAY NOON TO 4PM
Award-winning painter Ray Sokolowski presents a 4-hour Introduction to Oil Painting workshop at the Wilkins School Community Center 7604 Charleston Avenue, Swissvale PA 15218. The WSCC is only 2 minutes north of the Edgewood/Swissvale Parkway East exit off Braddock Ave heading north to Regent Square.
Ray recently received the Best of Show award at our My America exhibition at the Heinz History Center. We currently have 10 attendees and are limiting the class to 15, so there are 5 spots still available. At this time, we’re inviting PSI members first. If space remains, feel free to invite an artist friend. This hands-on workshop is ideal for beginner oil painters and curious artists alike—you’ll learn the fundamentals of oil painting while creating your own work.
You only need to bring:
• One primed, stretched canvas (minimum size 9” x 12”)
PSI will provide:
• Two brushes per artist
• Palettes (paper or plastic plates)
• Oil paints (six shared colors)
• Linseed oil and cups for each artist
• Disposable gloves
• Paper towels and white rags
• Easels and tables (provided by Wilkins School)
Wilkins School offers a charming, light-filled classroom with large windows—an inspiring space to paint. For questions or to reserve a spot, email Kathy Rooney at: me@krooney.net
MAY 28 2026 THURSDAY EVENING 7PM-9PM
MARTIN ONTIVEROS-Special Illustration Presentation
At The Hub Works community space, 435 Perry Hwy, West View PA 15229
Martin is an award-winning illustrator who has specialized in having his illustrations expand into various retail markets-publishing, toys, and other retail items. He has worked in Seattle and Virginia. He is visiting PSI for a one-evening presentation. Come after 6pm for snacks and beverages before Martin's presentation. The Hub Works is only 5 minutes off I-279 North and has been the home for many PSI presentations the past 6 years. James Mariano is heading the organization of this presentation, so email him Gymnauseum@gmail.com for questions.
JULY 2026 (Final confirmed date, location and time TBA asap)
GREGG VALLEY-The Growth of the Illustrator as Muralist
Gregg Valley is a 1986 CMU Illustration graduate who has moved from studio work and freelance work for print, to an ever-expanding client list using him for eye-popping murals for giant exteriors and intimate interiors alike. Come hear the details on how his career steered in this direction and how he gets it done! PSI is finalizing final details on the location, date, and time. This presentation will occur the last two weeks of July and will be hosted on the South Side with a social to follow at Gregg's studio. Fred Carlson is helping Gregg set this up so hit up Fred for details fred@carlsonstudio.com
AUGUST 22 2026 SATURDAY ALL DAY WORKSHOP AND LECTURE PRESENTED BY CHRIS SICKLES/RED NOSE STUDIO
There is scarcely an illustrator who has received more awards and recognitions than Chris Sickles and his Red Nose Studio in the past 20 years. Chris will be joining us live and in-person from Indiana for an all-day stop action animation workshop at The Hub Works 435 Perry Hwy, West View PA 15229. This program is being limited to 20 participants for the stop action animation workshop and that list is presently full BUT there's plenty of room for one and all to hear Chris' talk before hand. Tara Zalewsky is heading up this program so reach her at art@tarazalewsky.com to be listed for the talk and to receive updates.
OTHER PROGRAMS TO BE LISTED AS CONFIRMED
PSI is planning a survey presentation on the national children's book scene in the Fall. Theme panel discussions on marketing, promotion, negotiation, pricing, and successful business practice are in the works, especially to attract newer and younger members to our programming. Socials will be moving to member studios after the summer.
AND CONTINUING THROUGH EARLY SEPTEMBER 2026
Heinz History Center MY AMERICA: AN ILLUSTRATED EXPERIENCE PSI 30th Anniversary Show
This nationally recognized exhibition runs from October 11, 2025 to September 8, 2026:
MY AMERICA: AN ILLUSTRATED EXPERIENCE in the Barensfeld Gallery of the Heinz History Center (HHC) is open 10am to 5pm every day of the year except Christmas and New Years Day.
The History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222.
Bring the public, clients, family and prospective members!
MY AMERICA: AN ILLUSTRATED EXPERIENCE commemorates America’s 250th Semiquincentennial in 2026 and PSI’s 30th Anniversary. Through individual illustrations created by PSI members, the exhibit helps 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 through the actual exhibition and in a public series of presentations that will be scheduled to run throughout the show year. An ambitious educational set of programs has commenced.
PROGRAMS FOR ALL FULL AND AFFILIATE MEMBERS
All our members are highly encouraged to propose programs and speakers that PSI can present beyond 2026. Contact anyone on the Board (Jim Mellett, Wintis Gibson, June Edwards, or Fred Carlson) asap with your ideas or come to the socials to discuss. We need your input READ MORE
