A DONATION & A CELEBRATION for THE 150th ANNIVERSARY of THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE OF NEW YORK.

When my father passed away, I had an overriding desire   to support future students of cartooning, animation, illustration & design. It truly was the main impetus of getting involved with his legacy in any way.

Looking back, most of us would agree that fundamentally he was a teacher as well as a creative genius. In each of his letters, and in each conversation--was an in depth sharing and wealth of information.

In those final years, he and I spoke about how he could continue to teach. He had more to say, and I'd hoped the inspiration and venue would find him.

When he received fan mail while in ICU, it brought tears to his eyes. As he read it, his words were "they finally get it; they understand." Because, somewhere in each correspondence was a reflection of the words he preached and how those words had made a difference in their work: "keep it simple; draw it with the fewest lines, and tell the story in the fewest words".

The family proudly embraces the responsibility to be part of what fans have ensured lived on all these years--(a conversation that continues about Dad's work and his teachings.) So when we were approached and invited to participate in The Art Students League of New York's 150th Anniversary Celebration, we more than embraced the opportunity. We are not sure if our father took one class there, or a few--as we can only find evidence of his attendance in an interview whereby he briefly mentioned it. But the fact that there is a new generation of students studying this medium would have great meaning for him.

One of our panel members, Mark Stanleigh, came up with the idea to create t-shirts for this event. And so he generously did. The piece of art for the design was borrowed from Jeff Rose, another panel member, and creator of the original TothFans website (that my father endorsed). My father had written the words to him.

​We also created and donated a postcard hand out and "doodle pad" for the event exhibitors on April 5th, when they hold their own mini Comic-Con.

Here's to a successful celebration & event, and more opportunities to support schools & students in the future!
​Dana