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Inspire yourself and your families with these free hands on workshops
The Association of Illustrators (The AOI), is delighted to present the Walker Books Family programme alongside the World Illustration Awards Exhibition.
Two free family workshops will take place at Somerset House. Leading illustrators Jane Porter and Anuska Alepuz will read from their books, enchant visitors with live drawing and give some top tips for work of their own.
Ren Renwick Managing Director of the AOI says: “We are delighted to be working with Walker Books, and two fantastic illustrators to inspire the next generation. The sessions are not just a great experience for families – they are a brilliant way to seed the imaginations of illustrators of the future.”
Deirdre McDermott, Picture Book Publisher and Creative Director of Walker Books, says: “Walker Books are thrilled to be working with the AOI again for this year’s prestigious World Illustration Awards. The sessions are such a fantastic way to encourage creativity and inspiration in little ones, and we’re delighted to be involved in sparking that imagination.”
The World Illustration Awards Exhibition, presented by the AOI with the Directory of Illustration, returns Somerset House from 6-20 June.
The exhibition, held in Somerset House’s Embankment Galleries, is the largest World Illustration Awards show to date, showcasing the full shortlist of 200 works. It explores what illustration means today, how it shapes our world and understanding and how the art form itself is changing. At once global and personal, visitors can expect to be inspired by this diverse, engaging exhibition. This annual survey of the best illustration globally will explore where illustration is now, where it is heading in the future, and showcase the legends of the industry who continue to inspire new generations of artists.
The World Illustration Awards 2018 Exhibition will tour the UK throughout the year.
More information on www.theaoi.com
For more information please contact:
Sabine Reimer, Awards Manager at The AOI
awards@theaoi.com +44 20 7759 1012
Somerset House Press Office
press@somersethouse.org.uk +44 20 7845 4624
Notes to the editor:
Listings information
Dates: 9 June 2017
Pink Lion - An Illustration workshop for families
Arnold is a lion. Arnold is also pink, and lives with his bright pink flamingo family. When a growling gang of lions stops by, will Arnold leave his flamingo family and be able to find his roar? Join the brilliant author-illustrator Jane Porter for a roaring storytelling event and find out how to draw your very own Arnold the lion – ROAR!
This session is supported by Walker Books and is part of the World Illustration Awards 2018
Saturday 9 June 2018
10am – 11am
Embankment Galleries, South Wing, Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA
Tickets free but must be reserved here.
That Fruit is Mine! An Illustration workshop for families
Come and join the super talented Anuska Alepuz for a live storytelling and illustration event that will have your little ones giggling all afternoon! Five goofy, greedy elephants against five teeny-tiny mice. Who will win the race to the most delicious fruit anyone has ever seen?
Saturday 9 June 2018
11.30am – 12.30pm
Embankment Galleries, South Wing, Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA
Tickets free but must be reserved here.
Gallery Opening Hours: Saturday-Tuesday: 10am-6pm; Wednesday-Friday: 11am-8pm
Admission: Free
Address: Embankment Galleries, South Wing, Somerset House, London WC2R 1LA
Transport: Underground: Temple, Embankment; National Rail: Charing Cross, Waterloo
Somerset House Facebook: www.facebook.com/SomersetHouse
Somerset House Instagram: @SomersetHouse
Somerset House Twitter: @SomersetHouse
The AOI Facebook: www.facebook.com/theaoi
The AOI Twitter: @theaoi
The AOI Instagram: @theaoi
The Directory of Illustration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DirIllustration
The Directory of Illustration Twitter: @DirIllustration
Exhibition Hashtag: #WIA2018
Somerset House Public Enquiries: 020 7845 4600
About Walker Books
Home to books for all ages, Walker Books UK publishes many award-winning authors, illustrators and brands including Anthony Horowitz, Cassandra Clare, Lucy Cousins, Anthony Browne, Polly Dunbar, Patrick Ness, Angie Thomas and Where’s Wally? Walker Books UK is part of the vibrant international Walker Books Group that includes Candlewick Press in America, Walker Books Australia, the Walker Group Licencing division, and Walker Productions, developing Walker content for other media platforms, including Hank Zipzer for BBC. The Walker Books Group enjoys a unique ownership structure which includes all of its employees worldwide and more than 150 authors and illustrators. Walker is the world’s leading wholly independent publisher of English-language children’s books.
www.walkerbooks.com @WalkerBooksUK
About Somerset House
Inspiring contemporary culture
A unique part of the London cultural scene, Somerset House is an historic building where surprising and original work comes to life. From its 18th-century origins, Somerset House has been a centre for debate and discussion – an intellectual powerhouse for the nation. Somerset House is today a key cultural destination in London in which to experience a broad range of artistic activity, engage with artists, designers and makers and be a part of a major creative forum – an environment that is relaxed, welcoming, and inspirational to visit while providing a stimulating workplace for the cultural and creative industries.
Since its opening in 2000, Somerset House has built up a distinctive outdoor public programme including Skate, concerts, an open-air film season and a diverse range of temporary exhibitions throughout the site focusing on contemporary culture, with an extensive learning programme attached. In October
2016, Somerset House launched Somerset House Studios, a new experimental workspace connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. The Studios provide a platform for new creative projects and collaboration, promoting work that pushes bold ideas, engages with urgent issues and pioneers new technologies. Somerset House is also one of the biggest community of creative organisations in London including The Courtauld Gallery and Institute of Art, King’s College London Cultural Institute and over 100 other creative businesses. It currently attracts approximately 3.4 million visitors every year.
The World Illustration Awards
The WIA are presented by The Association of Illustrators in partnership with the Directory of Illustration (USA) with Somerset House as the exhibition partner. There are eight award categories including Advertising, sponsored by Procreate; Books, category sponsored by NoBrow; Children’s Books, category sponsored by Walker Books; and Editorial, category sponsored by Eye magazine. Each category has a new talent and professional winner, with two overall winners announced on the awards night in June. The two overall winners will be awarded cash prizes, courtesy of rOtring. The AOI has been holding an annual illustration competition for over 40 years.
The World Illustration Awards 2018 are supported by:
Exhibition design by Uniform
Overall Winner Prizes courtesy of rOtring
Advertising Category sponsor: Procreate
Children’s Book Category sponsor: Walker Books
Books Category sponsor: No Brow Press
Editorial Category Sponsor: Eye Magazine
Supporter of WIA:
Media Partners:
The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is the UK’s leading illustration body supporting and sustaining illustrators and the illustration industry. Established in 1973 the AOI offers members professional advice, online resources and a growing programme of events. The AOI has successfully to increase the standing of illustration as a profession and improve commercial and ethical conditions. With a membership that includes freelance illustrators, agents, students and colleges the AOI continues to support and educate future generations at every stage of their career.
The Directory of Illustration is widely regarded as the world’s leading marketing program for illustrators. Their website and print resources are relied on by thousands of qualified art buyers when they need to commission illustration.