School of Visual Arts (SVA) will present "Story: Visualized," an exhibition of works by a dozen professional visual storytellers from the faculty of the new MFA Visual Narrative Department. The exhibition will be on view from May 24 through July 13 at the Westside Project Space, 133/141 West 21st Street, New York City.

Featured artists include art director and illustrator Jennifer Daniel; writer and information designer Alicia DeSantis; editorial illustrator, comic book artist and program Chair Nathan Fox; writer and illustrator Edward Hemingway; artist and printmaker Ross MacDonald; historian and critic Leonard Marcus; publisher and writer Dan Nadel; designer and artist Jeff Rogers; artist Jonathon Rosen; illustrator Matt Rota; author Mark Sable; and writer/game producer Ben Zackheim.

"Story: Visualized" celebrates the June launch of the newest SVA graduate program. MFA Visual Narrative is a groundbreaking approach to visual storytelling. Comprising three eight-week summer sessions in NYC and two academic years online, this low-residency program places equal emphasis on creative writing and figurative visual expression. The program is designed for both working professionals and recent graduates from all creative disciplines who are dedicated to the art and craft of visual storytelling as both artist and author.

"Since visual communication technologies are advancing rapidly in such areas as e-books, interactive websites, podcasts, social media outlets, and mobile devices," said Fox, “the program is geared toward preparing students for the challenges and opportunities in this digital marketplace.” Courses include "History of Visual Storytelling: The Picture Book," "Form, Empathy and Character Play," and "Web and Digital Media." In the second year, each student will produce, curate and/or publish a narrative thesis in both analog and digital form.

Chair Nathan Fox's work has appeared in The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine, Interview, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Wired, ESPN The Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Mother Jones, Spin, Mad Magazine, Image Comics, Vertigo, Dark Horse Comics and Marvel. In addition, his art has been featured in projects for MTV, the Burton US Open 2009, the Nike House of Hoops, the 1800 Tequila 2012 Essential Artist Series Bottles, Instant Winner, REAL Skateboards, and many others.

"Great visual storytellers challenge our notions of self and truth, engaging an audience to its core," Fox says. "That level of visual narrative becomes an experience, a moment not soon forgotten, a memory forever cherished. These works have withstood the test of time, becoming part of our history and cultural identities." More information on the program is available at MFA Visual Narrative.

Exhibition

Story: Visualized

Westside Project Space

Reception