Professor Jeff Pike and assistant professor John Hendrix are among the artists selected for inclusion in Illustrators 53: Book and Editorial Exhibition, the second of a three-part annual exhibition by the New York Society of Illustrators.

"Now in its 53rd year, the Annual Exhibition is the premier international showcase for illustrators," said Anelle Miller, director of the Society of Illustrators. "We're honored to host this remarkable event, which celebrates the most outstanding illustrative works created by our colleagues in the past year."

Open to artists worldwide, the Annual Exhibition features more than 400 pieces of the most outstanding works created throughout each year. The works are selected by a jury of professionals and exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators in three separate shows: the Sequential and Uncommissioned Exhibition, the Book and Editorial Exhibition, and the Advertising and Institutional Exhibition features artwork created for advertisements and promotions.

A total of 248 entries were chosen from among 1,678 submissions for the Book and Editorial Exhibition, on view January 26 to February 19, 2011. The Editorial category consists of work commissioned by newspapers or magazines, medical and scientific journals or online magazines. Works by Pike and Hendrix were both selected for the Book category, which consists of illustrations used inside or for covers of books, including hardback and paperback books, children’s books and young adult literature, and single-image comic book art.

Pike's selected image came from the book After Love, a collection of poems by Ryan Fox that was published by the Virginia Arts of the Book Center. One of the poems, "Charlie Chaplin," is partially based on a specific scene from a Chaplin movie, as illustrated in Pike's image.

Hendrix's submission is part of his new book, Nurse, Soldier, Spy, which will be released in March. The book chronicles the true story of Sarah Edmonds, a passionate woman who wanted to fight for the Union in the Civil War. In order to enlist, she dressed up as a man, Frank Thompson. Edmonds went on many clandestine missions, but this book depicts a particular mission for which she dressed as a slave.

Accepted entries for all three parts of the Annual Exhibition are reproduced in full color in the Illustrators Annual Book, which includes commentary by the artists, who explain their creative processes in their own words. In addition, essays about and examples of recipients of the Society's Hall of Fame provide historical context to the contemporary work in the book.

For more information about the Annual Exhibition, including a full list of featured artists and award winners, visit the Society of Illustrators website.

Image caption: Image by Jeff Pike, illustrating the poem "Charlie Chaplin." From the book After Lov, a collection of poems by Ryan Fox, published by the Virginia Arts of the Book Center. 6.5" X 9.5", Micron pen and watercolor.