Summer 2026 Virtual Conference: Portfolio Showcase

Summer 2026 Portfolio Showcase

Our annual Summer Portfolio Showcase is a career-launching opportunity for children's book illustrators! This juried showcase is a terrific way to get your illustrations in front of top publishing professionals. This year’s format will be a three-image portfolio, with links to your SCBWI Member Profile Illustrator Gallery. 

For Conference attendees only, you must submit your work by JULY 17. Artwork uploaded after this time, may not be seen by the judges.

Portfolios are judged as a whole, not on any individual image. The judges are looking for children’s book publishing appropriateness, consistency of a strong illustrative “voice” throughout, and fresh and unique styles.

Visit the Portfolio Awards page to learn how to enter.

You must be registered for the conference to participate and you must be a Premium Member. Participation in the showcase is an additional $75. Members can purchase the Portfolio Showcase as a package with the Illustrators Half-Day Intensive for a reduced rate. 

The showcase winners and honor recipients will be announced live on Zoom at the Summer Conference Wrap-Up and Awards on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Get your art in front of industry professionals at our career-launching online showcase. 

PRIZES

1 Gold Award (1) winner will receive:Free admission to the next Virtual Summer Conference,
Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
Two images from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

1 Silver Award winner will receive:Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,
A one year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and
One image from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

2 Bronze Award winners will receive:One phone/virtual meeting with an art director or agent who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio.
One image from the winner’s portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.*

Images from the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners’ portfolios will be displayed in a special showcase in the SCBWI booth at the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair along with their name, website, and country of origin. There will be more than 30,000 people and 1500 exhibitors from 100 countries attend this renowned book fair.

SCBWI 2026 In-Person Winter Conference— Just Around the Corner

 

Happy New Year, all! 

Hope you rang in the day with love, joy and laughter, surrounded by family, friends. pets, plants, good food, good conversation, amazing desserts, treats for your pets, pets for your treats, dancing, good books, happy time, happy days, happ—sorry...I'm just so grateful for the new year!

And with that "25" ticking over to "26," you know what that means...

WE ARE JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY FROM—

Justin—stop screaming...

...My bad. I can't help it, I'm so excited.

I know. Just bring it down two notches.

Okay, fine...

...

......

.........

THE 2026 WINTER NEW YORK CONFERENCE!

I couldn't resist!

We kick off the conference with the Illustrators' Intensive "ACTION! Harnessing the Visual Energy of Movement", a curated and focused intensive, geared towards all illustrators, no matter where you are in your journey. Check out the Illustrators' Intensive interview series here on the blog with the amazing Pat Cummings, Cecilia Yung, and Laurent Linn! 

Which is then followed by the Portfolio Showcase for Illustrators during SCWBI Industry Night when the children's publishing world comes together to enjoy the spectacular art of our talented community! I always enjoy perusing through the hundreds of portfolios. It is quite inspiring! And once the judging is complete, it is open to the public! So come on by, enjoy the art, and meet some fantastic artists!

The weekend is jam-packed with so many opportunities for the attendees. From Keynotes and Panels: Inspiring Wisdom from Industry Experts, to socials, to the selection of Craft and Business Breakout Workshops, there is something for everyone!  

Register HERE and join the fun! It is never too late to invest in your career, your art and YOU!