Internationally-recognized comic book, fantasy illustrator to speak at Randolph

Charles Vess

Charles Vess, a world-renowned artist and Lynchburg native, will give a talk and sign books at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.

Vess is best known for his detailed, epic, and ethereal fantasy illustrations. An E.C. Glass High School and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, he has worked for Marvel, DC Comics and Dark Horse and has illustrated for Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint and George R.R. Martin. His work has appeared in various illustrated science fiction and fantasy books, such as 2018 release of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Books of Earthsea.

Just last month, Vess was awarded two Hugo Awards at the World Science Fiction Convention in Dublin, including one for Best Professional Artist. The Hugo Awards are presented annually by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year.

Vess’ talk at the Maier is being held in conjunction with the 108th Annual Exhibition, Children’s Book Illustrations: Visual Storytelling (on view through Dec. 15), which recently opened on Sept. 20. Curated by Kathy Muehlemann, chair of Randolph’s art department, the exhibition features illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Larry Day, Douglas Florian, E.B. Lewis, and Jerry Pinkney, as well as the retrospective Finding Sophie Blackall.

The 108th Annual Exhibition is generously sponsored by Mary Gray Shockey ’69. The retrospective Finding Sophie Blackall was organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas.