Why Illustrators Should Attend the Marvelous Midwest Conference in 2024

After years of postponement due to Covid, we are SO EXCITED the highly anticipated Marvelous Midwest Conference is finally just around the corner!  The best part?  It’s chock full of amazing opportunities for illustrators to perfect their craft, meet industry professionals, get their work seen, and connect with one another.  It’s no secret conferences are an excellent way to advance your career and make the necessary connections to move closer to that coveted book deal.  If you haven’t already signed up, here are the reasons you should! 

 

1.  PORTFOLIO REVIEWS:  Choose from EIGHT marvelous industry professionals for an in-person, 15-minute portfolio review.  This kind of feedback is invaluable to your career! 

 

2.  MIX & MINGLE:  In addition to an Illustrator Social Saturday night, the weekend is filled with opportunities to meet and learn from fellow illustrators with similar goals and interests.

3.  PERFECT YOUR CRAFT:  Multiple classes geared toward illustrators explore topics such as character design, marrying pictures & words, overcoming artist's block, building an eye-catching portfolio, and MUCH MORE!

4. ENTER AN ART SHOW:  Let your creativity loose and show off your work with a fun illustration prompt - with two chances to win a gift card to the bookstore!  The best part?  It's FREE to enter!

 

 5. PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE:  Display your work to industry professionals (the people who hire you!) and your peers all weekend!  Bonus: One winner will receive THREE 15-minute meetings (2 ADs and 1 agent).

6.  WEBSITE REVIEW:  Submit your URL at registration for a chance to have your site reviewed by 2 ADs!

7.  DIVE DEEP:  Not one, but FOUR intensives for illustrators dive deep into varying aspects of the KidLit industry!

 

8.  SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:  The amazing Zeke Peña is generously offering the opportunity to a traditionally underrepresented illustrator to attend the conference for free, PLUS a portfolio review, AND a special meet-and-greet with him!  Do not pass up this amazing opportunity!

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Katie + Jen

Katie Eberts, Michigan Co-Illustrator Coordinator, received her BFA in Art & Design from the University of Michigan with a concentration in watercolor. Her debut picture book, Hush-A-Bye Night written by Thelma Godin, was published by Sleeping Bear Press in March 2023.  She is based in Cedarville, Michigan.

Jen Boehler, Michigan Co-Illustrator Coordinator, is an illustrator, graphic designer and author working on a hobby farm in Saginaw, Michigan. Before pursuing children’s literature, Jen worked as a freelance editorial illustrator, graphic designer, interior/event designer and owned her own line of Michigan travel apparel. She has degrees in both art/graphic design and interior design.