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Society of Illustrators
128 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065, United States
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Ro
Review №1

This organization showcases the art of illustration for all media-books, magazined etc. They had(prior to the pandemic )an exhibit on illustration of Batman. Once a week there was free admission.Its a great place to go to and another reason I am looking forward to the end of this pandemic, so I can go to offbeat places like this one

Da
Review №2

Absolutely magical place! The hanging art is always spectacular and changes dynamically each season. Their live model events are great as well, hosting with live music, models, and a bar that serves everything you need. Cant beat it!

Ed
Review №3

I was honestly kinda underwhelmed. The Society was having an all-Batman special exhibit, which was pretty cool but meant I couldnt check their regular collection. And $15 felt like way too much for a very small Museum and exhibit with not a lot of content and no guides, try to come on Tuesdays between 5 pm and 8 pm so you can get in for free.

Le
Review №4

A lot of great artwork of different genres. A few floors of different talent. All good Staff friendly. And classes are available and events happening all the time

Da
Review №5

One of those rare places in NYC that isnt overrun by tourists. The exhibits are wonderful. The downstairs has been exclusively devoted to comic book art. Which is more amazing than you would think. The restaurant has a small outdoor space which is really nice and inside the artwork is awesome

No
Review №6

Great art. By new subway stop. Good for lunch and meeting. Friendly staff..wonderful gift shop. Best value in Manhattan for club membership (non artists can join) with reciprocal club privileges. History all there. Best graphic artists can be found in their membership. See their once a year art fair. Hidden gem. Keep the secret please so stays uncrowded when I go back. Can be rented for private events reasonably and their COO has gourmet chef background. Ask if he will be in kitchen sometime....not sure if he does that. They are also non profit and provide scholarships.

Ba
Review №7

In a big “town” like NYC it’s nice to have a friendly cosy place in the center of town to retreat to. I’ve been a member for many years and love knowing I have a home away from home. They always have interesting shows in their galleries. Everyone is very friendly. If you are in the arts I recommend you joining the club.

La
Review №8

A great place to view illustrators. A niche museum/gallery with a lovely restaurant.

Al
Review №9

I love this place in spite of the fact that you have to walk up two flights of stairs to get to the restaurant. The food was great the price was decent and the service was great the only problem is parking in the area, but its definitely worthwhile seeing all the art that displayed throughout the building. I recommend this to anyone who likes all the art and good food.

Pa
Review №10

One of the best comic and illustrators’ museum I have ever been to. The curator/manager of the museum was an extremely kind, friendly and patient gentleman, and showed excellent customer service as well. I definitely recommend everyone to check this museum out at least once.P.S. They have a great rooftop bar atop the museum, which has some interesting drink choices!

Ca
Review №11

Wonderful exhibits with friendly staff. Be sure to go upstairs to see the Norman Rockwell behind the bar!

Da
Review №12

I visited during a Joe Quesada Exhibit..Woo hoo!!

Ma
Review №13

An important institution in the NYC creative scene. Amazing works and resources are found here. These pics are from a Mike Mignola show.

Va
Review №14

What an amazing experience!!! there was a special exhibition on my favourite hero - Batman. Plus, got to know a member of the Society, Erik, who spent some time to have a chat about the Society and New York! its experiences like these that make it worth visiting and traveling to new places!

Ly
Review №15

This is a tiny multi-level museum dedicated to the art of illustration. They run themed exhibits, sketch nights, contests and a number of other fun events. I visited recently for the Ralph Steadman retrospective, which was amazing. The exhibit was spread out on all 4 levels, which was a little difficult to navigate when foot traffic was high, but definitely worth it. The top level includes a great, sunny cafe, though they included some pieces of the exhibit there so diners had to deal with a lot of lookie-loos passing through. Its a hidden gem in the heart of the city and a unique thing to do for locals and visitors alike!

Vi
Review №16

A really nice little spot to check out some fantastic illustrations and storyboards.Went for a class trip, and really enjoyed learning about this type of art style.Would recommend for a visit to anyone interested in illustration.

Ki
Review №17

Wonderful to have an establishment to celebrate illustrators and the medium. The Joe Quesada exhibit was an intimate and nicely varied collection of comic book art at its finest. Bravo!

St
Review №18

Very quaint. Courteous staff. Easy to access by public. Food and drink plentiful as well as Very Good.

Mi
Review №19

I love coming here for sketch nights and a drink. Everyone is always so supportive in artistic growth and so friendly. The exhibits are top notch as well

Ar
Review №20

George Booth’s exhibit is awesome Semper Fi Brother.

Ki
Review №21

A hidden gem in NYC full of cultural venues. Plus they have a full bar with great drinks

Ri
Review №22

Such an amazing hidden gem! All the staff are super nice & helpful. The artwork on display speaks for itself. We went during exhibitions: New Yorks Funniest Ladies & Marvel - a perfect balance for my husband and I. Absolutely loved it all, so interesting and such a different way to spend a Saturday. To finish it all off, theres a stunning bar/restaurant on the 3rd floor, complete with a beautiful, inviting and picturesque outdoor terrace, just perfect for drinking a glass of wine in the summer. Will definitely be returning as they do loads of boozy, creative night events too! Loved it all!

Ma
Review №23

Many interesting illustrations. They also have a dinning room.

Na
Review №24

Sketch sessions are alot of fun. Great models.

An
Review №25

A little gem of a place. Has some really great illustrations on display and a sweet little shop with some interesting and unusual items. Lots of the illustrations by less well known artists and designers are well worth seeing. We really enjoyed seeing all the artworks. Only gave 4 stars because it smelled kind of musty and not that well cared for also, we were forced to put our 2 very small and unobtrusive rucksacks in their cloakroom (small unlocked cupboard adjacent to the reception) despite being the only 4 visitors and it made me feel uncomfortable as I had no pockets to keep my valuable items with me. Everywhere else has insisted we carry them by the top carry handle.

Al
Review №26

Love the visit! Excited to see all the work inside. Friendly staff!

Bi
Review №27

Very friendly staff. Great exhibit. Got to hear Walt Simonson and Bill Sienkiewicz plus dinner and autographs in a super casual environment. Excellent experience!

Ta
Review №28

Went in today and had my first sketch night experience with the SOI. I found the environment very conducive to creating, with a knowledgable staff and professional models. The music played was great, and so was the food. I wish there was more room for each artist to spread out, but understand that its a very intimate space and I would never want to exclude anyone. Over all had a very positive experience sketching tonight and I would come again.

Fr
Review №29

Awesome place to see original art and meet and share with great illustrators! Loved it!

Je
Review №30

Ive visited the Society of Illustrators dozens of times, and the place never gets old thanks to well-curated exhibits and the incredibly fun Sketch Night sessions. Downstairs has a small screening room, while the main floor has a gift shop. One downside? The top level is inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. Still, youll find all manner of drawn art, such as comic books and fantasy illustrations.m

Da
Review №31

I love this place because it regularly has exhibits of comic art!

Vi
Review №32

A fantastic place to visit and the locus of advocacy for illustration.

As
Review №33

A fascinating place, and welcoming on their public sketch nights. Even if you have artistically challenged fine motor skills like I do, youll see some beautiful artwork, meet some great people, and learn a lot.

xx
Review №34

We enjoy our visit there. If u love batman u gotta check it out!!

Os
Review №35

Amazing place! A must-see for any fan of comics and other illustrative work.

Ha
Review №36

Great place always an art display

K
Review №37

They always have interesting shows that showcase different artists, and they even have copies of the books people have illustrated on hand when they do shows featuring different book illustrators! Its a nice cozy little place with two floors worth of exhibition space, and a restaurant on the top floor.

R.
Review №38

Great food. Quiet atmosphere.

Ro
Review №39

Lots of fun. Really enjoy their sketch nights. Live models, music, some food, and bar drinks while sketching and meeting other artists.

De
Review №40

Lots of amazing illustrations from famous artists in a charming historical space. And the catering was delicious!

Ar
Review №41

Super interesting place. Attended a dinner celebration after hours, amazing illustrations in every wall and hallway.

Sa
Review №42

Great place for meetings and dinners.

Ve
Review №43

The Batman gallery was lit , also blessed to see a JC Leyendecker in person . I would come here again and again . Wish I stayed for the sketch nights but I dont live near

Ma
Review №44

A nice place to discover especially if your into art. I would most definitely visit there again.

Ch
Review №45

Very interesting and relaxing place to grab a drink and check out some nice art pieces at the same time.

Li
Review №46

Intimate display of multiple artistic mediums

Lo
Review №47

Bil Donovan the very best

G
Review №48

The small museum has a decent collection of illustrations in various techniques and styles. We enjoyed Anatol Kovarskys well-recognized and mostly monochromatic illustrations for The New Yorker magazine, the main exhibition during our visit. We stayed for an hour.In addition to the museum, they also host sketching sessions, talks, and other related events.The place is just steps away from a subway station (F and Q lines). Admission to the museum is free every Tuesday evening.

Er
Review №49

What a special place! If you believe in the power of illustration, this should be a Must See

Ji
Review №50

Love the Beers for Fears event. Always a good time with great hosts

La
Review №51

Very nice way to spend the afternoon.

Au
Review №52

Small but in a cozy, familiar way. Definietly will be visiting more often!

Bi
Review №53

Ramone is the best part of going to this place, and thats saying something because the place itself is wonderful.

Al
Review №54

This place is so cool. I went their for a Comicbook artist friend of mines birthday. The stuff on the walls is amazing.

Os
Review №55

So much fun, for all skill levels hive it a shot.

Ja
Review №56

A hidden gem among museums in New York. They refresh the exhibits frequently and Im never disappointed. Ive seen a fascinating range there from an amazing retrospective on Spiderman and Ditko to an exploration of fantasy & sci-fi novel covers from the 60s and 70s. Its just around the corner from a subway stop (I forget which one) making it so easy to pop in and out of.

Ge
Review №57

Worth the trip...the exhibitions are always wonderful!!!

Br
Review №58

Great art, nice people. Studio drawing session left a bit to be desired but came with food included (pasta and more pasta). Full bar was cool, $7 beers, $10 wines, with specials. Gets crowded but everyone seemed to enjoy it. theres a cool comic exhibit on right now as well, definitley worth checking out!

Al
Review №59

You should definitely check it out! When I went they have the Will Eisner exhibit going on and it was fantastic. I do feel that they could put more exhibits on display at a time.

Ко
Review №60

You can meet some of the living legends - if you come during their events.

Ge
Review №61

A beautiful space with great art and a nice bar. An awesome hangout spot. Definitely recommend popping by for a movie night.

Je
Review №62

An excellent stop - probably qualifies as an NYC gem! The exhibition when we were there (summer 2016) was of work by female illustrators, with lots of quality work on exhibit. Definitely will go again when next in NYC.

Nz
Review №63

Great small museum, interesting inspiring place for illustrators to visit.

Ra
Review №64

Came here to check out an exhibit and really enjoyed it. Have been waiting for another exhibit that catches my eye to have an excuse to come back. Not like other museums or galleries that are slammed with obnoxious people. Very well maintained and quiet. Theres a nice bar on the 3rd floor where you can order cocktails and go outside during warmer months to sit outside and order a meal. Only thing I suggest is finding out when there are classes, to avoid walking into them while trying to look at art that may be hanging on that floor where the classes are held.

As
Review №65

Do not miss! Wonderful collection- very thought provoking. Beautiful work. Great event space.

Ha
Review №66

I came 15 minutes before closing time but they still didnt let me at least quickly go through 1 floor and i was willing to still pay full price. I was traveling from out of state so its a shame that i couldnt see this museum.

Al
Review №67

Very cool spot for the current comics of stan lee

Da
Review №68

Small and quaint. The bar and outdoor terrace on the third floor was a great surprise.

Lo
Review №69

Awesome classic marvel showing downstairs and great classic EC gallery upstairs. Was super lucky to see the classics by kirby, romita sr&jr, don martin...while sipping t&ts and listening to jgb. This place is a gem hidden in plain sight.

Pr
Review №70

Good place for illustration and art enthusiasts!

Ma
Review №71

The Batman gallery was amazing!

Ei
Review №72

A nice option to spend an hour or two in the exhibitions with nice restaurant on the top floor andactivities for the younger ones (and the older ones as well)

aa
Review №73

Small space with great illustration exhibits - very inspiring! Sketch nights are the best, and there are always fantastic events happening. The bartender, Ramone, is really helpful and friendly as well.

Ne
Review №74

We really enjoyed the food and friendly atmosphere. The exhibit featuring The Harlem Hellfighters was fantastic

Ro
Review №75

A small museum, but in a good way. I loved it. I think the admission fee is a bit too high.

Na
Review №76

Beautiful gallery of illustrations from picture books, comics, and more. The curators have excellent taste and the works on display are always beautiful, imaginative, inspiring and brilliant. If you love drawing, childrens literature, or emotional art with a sense of wonder, dont miss this place!

Ja
Review №77

I would buy a membership if they had an affordable non-student tier.

AJ
Review №78

Ooh boy ... Unfortunately, very disappointed with this museum. Can not understand the high ratings by other reviewers. I love the rich history of graphic illustrations used in the 19th and 20th centuries from product packaging and magazines, to comics, anime and movies. However, this museum does not even brush the surface of this wonderful art form. There are a (very) few enjoyable works along the stairwell, but otherwise, there are just a couple of limited collections of mostly comic strips illustrations.I hope that a sponsor could assist the Society to fund and create a true museum dedicated to the rich history of illustrators and graphic artists. The museum world absolutely needs this. Sadly, the current woefully inadequate collection only emphasizes what is sadly missing, but could be. I hope more critical reviews will spark the need and action.On a positive note, the building itself and the bistro/bar have a nice character and atmosphere. I have no affiliation with or ill will towards the Society of Illustrators, only the hope that they can find a way to truly highlight and preserve this wonder genre of art.

Ir
Review №79

One of the most beautiful places in NYC. Great staff, artists and models.

Ha
Review №80

Really awesome. The hell boy exibit is one of my favorites.

Vi
Review №81

Event on 3rd floor. Not ADA accessible. People should be warned.

De
Review №82

Great space and fablous staff

Kr
Review №83

Interesting place if thats your thing... It just isnt mine.

Ka
Review №84

The museum advertises FREE entry on Tuesdays 5-8pm, while it actually is not available for visiting as every Tuesday they have events on the first and third floors - so no access there. Second floor is a tiny corridor leading to toilets, so not much to see.This is very misleading - we wouldnt bother going knowing this, so wasted trip.This is not a comment on the quality of the museum, which by the way is very small, but on the misleading information on the website.

Ma
Review №85

Cozy club/townhouse that mixes gallery and event space with a cool restaurant and bar area. worth popping in if you are around. a hidden gem.

St
Review №86

Loved the Brenda Starr exhibit!

Ju
Review №87

Worth a visit

Ja
Review №88

Fascinating place to enjoy art, a beverage, and the atmosphere.

Wi
Review №89

I love that place ! So many amazing artwork from the great masters

Br
Review №90

Great art work, cute bar and a casual, tasty spread of food on opening nights

M
Review №91

A stop at this small, well-curated museum is a pleasant and thought-provoking way to pass an hour or two. I was there recently on a Saturday afternoon, and was one of only a few people visiting--unheard of at the mostly crowded museums in the city.

Ro
Review №92

Cool collection of artwork. Nice bar upstairs.

Ya
Review №93

Sketch nights are very well put together, with calming yet energizing live music.

Em
Review №94

Definitely worth a stop especially if the exhibits they have interest you. That being said the building is not very handicap accessible and has a lot of really steep stairs.I saw the Spider-Man exhibit and it was incredible. The ink pages of Capt Stacys death were on display. There was one of John Romitas pencils which was cool. Most importantly, a truly massive collection of ink pages by Romita, Ditko, and Romita Jr. with large portions written by Stan Lee.Great and interesting stop.

Br
Review №95

I was there for Mike Mignola exposition and it was awesome

Pa
Review №96

Very classy spot with galleries and sketch nights! Love it!

Su
Review №97

Amazing if youre interested in Art.

Ma
Review №98

Always worth a visit

Da
Review №99

Very interesting place. Check out sketch night on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Ty
Review №100

Visited this place after a friend told me to check it out. If you have any interest in illustration, drawing and the history of either, go check this out. I will be back.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:128 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065, United States
  • Site:http://www.societyillustrators.org/
  • Phone:+1 212-838-2560
Categories
  • Tourist attraction
  • Art museum
  • Non-profit organization
  • Museum
Working hours
  • Monday:Closed
  • Tuesday:11am–5pm
  • Wednesday:11am–5pm
  • Thursday:11am–5pm
  • Friday:11am–5pm
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:Closed
Highlights
  • Live performances:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:No
Amenities
  • Restaurant:No
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