Cambridge MA Children’s Book Grad Show

Our Talent Source Manager, Vicky, is always out and about visiting gallery shows and universities to get to know the emerging voices in the world of illustration. Here she shares a little bit about those visits, and why she finds it important artists look for the right representation for them, right out of school.

In February, I visited Cambridge’s MA Children’s book illustration grad show, in London. Upon entering the Candid Arts Trust Gallery, I was welcomed by a joyful, busy crowd and an abundance of student work hung on the walls and spread out on the exhibition stands. It was a vibrant and lively atmosphere!

The artists were very approachable and great to get to know. I loved talking with them about their work and specifically enjoyed going through sketchbooks where I peeked through little character drawings and saw wonderful ideas detangle. The vast majority of work, handmade or digital, showed amazing technical skills and a good understanding of the children’s book industry.

The gallery space, with its high ceiling, bright white walls and old wooden floor – an old converted warehouse – felt organic and implemented the playfulness and painterly style of the work really nicely. A great choice of space which feels as though you’re walking through the artist’s studio.

The City Lit Advanced Book Illustration show earlier in September and LCC’s Illustration and Visual Media work in progress show in March are just a couple of the events I have really enjoyed visiting.

During my visits, I always look for talented emerging artists to help them find representation and other creative career opportunities.

Getting in contact with an agency right out of school gives young artists the chance to experience the industry to its core; develop their portfolio with experienced professionals, build a targeted career plan, get to recognise the different art markets and get in contact with clients internationally. A strong, trusted and transparent relationship with their agent is vital to achieving these goals.

Finding the right person who will understand, cheer for, and champion your work to the world is hard work – but I am here to make this process a little smoother.

The ITSme Society is a collective of top creative agencies that represent award-winning talent worldwide. The ITSme Society agencies represent illustrators and writers across 7 agencies: Advocate Art, Astound US Inc, Illo Agency, Artistique, Yeon, CWLA, and Collaborate.