The 2016 Sendak Fellows were announced on January 1. Elisha Cooper (8: An Animal Alphabet, Scholastic/Orchard), Jenni Desmond (The Blue Whale, Enchanted Lion), and Yuyi Morales (Viva Frida, Roaring Brook/Porter) have been selected by the judging committee to receive the fellowship, which offers artists a four-week retreat at Scotch Hill Farm, formerly owned by Maurice Sendak, in upstate New York, in addition to a prize of $5,000. The 2016 Fellowship retreat will run from May 16 to June 10.
Sendak inaugurated the fellowship in 2010, with the goal of fostering illustration talent that will, he said, “create work that is not vapid, stupid, or sexy, but original. Work that excites and incites.” Previous fellows include Antoinette Portis, Sergio Ruzzier, Sara Varon, Harry Bliss, Richard Egielski, Steven Savage, among many others.
