Bologna Illustrators Exhibition

June 15 - August 17, 2017

Glass Curtain Gallery - Columbia College Chicago

Created by the Bologna Children's Book Fair* in 1967, the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition offers an overview of the latest trends in the field of children's illustrations. Since its first edition, the Illustrators Exhibition has offered artists worldwide a unique opportunity to display their talent to key players in the sector who come to Bologna every year for the most important trade show for the exchange of copyrights for children’s literature.

The exhibition in Chicago came to fruition from the partnership between Columbia College Chicago, Bologna Children’s Book Fair/BolognaFiere, and the Italian Trade Agency. Columbia College is nationally renowned for its rigorous illustration program (that offers a Bachelor of Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Arts (BA)) with a focus to prepare a diverse student population in the most current expressions of the illustrative arts. It is considered the perfect location to host and organize the exhibition in its galleries. This initiative has proven to be a pivotal experience for illustration students of Columbia College who are given the opportunity to assist in the presentation of each iteration and to apply to the exhibition itself. 

The Illustrators Exhibition is the perfect introduction not only to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, but also to Global Kids Connect conference and the New York Rights Fair. Set to take place in December, the Global Kids Connect conference brings together international industry leaders to discuss the impact of digital media, physical books, trends, and the future children’s and young adult book market. The New York Rights Fair is the newest manifestation of Bologna Children’s Book Fair commitment to the U.S. market. This new event will be the first trade and licensing show in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to the buying and selling of international rights as well as the distribution and licensing of content. It will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, New York on May 30 – June 1, 2018.

*BOLOGNA CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL EVENT DEDICATED TO THE CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING AND MULTIMEDIA INDUSTRY. IN BOLOGNA AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS, LITERARY AGENTS, LICENSORS AND LICENSEES, PACKAGERS, DISTRIBUTORS, PRINTERS, BOOKSELLERS, AND LIBRARIANS MEET TO SELL AND BUY COPYRIGHT, FIND THE VERY BEST OF CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION, DISCOVER NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, AND DISCUSS AND DEBATE THE LATEST SECTOR TRENDS.