This spring, bibliophiles and art lovers alike have reason to celebrate. The Folio Society, the London-based independent publisher revered for its exquisite hardcovers, will unveil its first major exhibition in the United States: “The Art of Folio.” Hosted at the Society of Illustrators on New York’s Upper East Side from April 16 through July 12, 2025, the show marks a landmark moment in the intersection of illustration, design, and publishing.
Across nearly eight decades, The Folio Society has elevated the experience of reading through a steadfast commitment to visual storytelling. Since 1947, their books have been as much about what you see as what you read; thoughtfully designed editions that celebrate the tactile, emotional, and imaginative power of book design.
Illustration by Taylor Dolan
The two-floor, immersive exhibition features 91 illustrators from around the globe, with over 100 artworks curated by genre to transport viewers from the magical realism of A Wizard of Earthsea to the haunting landscapes of The Underground Railroad — a vibrant living archive of illustration’s role in literature that showcases how artists, through medium and imagination, make a good story unforgettable.
Left: Lela Harris; Right: Anagh Banerjee
Design enthusiasts will be drawn to the ground floor’s dedicated installation for The Great Gatsby, commemorating the novel’s 100th anniversary. Featuring new illustrations by acclaimed artist Yuko Shimizu, this darkly sumptuous edition channels the decadent dissonance of Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age classic. Shimizu’s linework crackles with longing, disillusionment, and dangerous beauty—qualities that mirror the fragile glitter of Gatsby’s world. The display includes original artwork as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the craft behind every Folio book, offering a rare peek into the publisher’s meticulous design process.
Illustrations © Yuko Shimizu 2025, from The Great Gatsby
“The Art of Folio” is a vibrant living archive of illustration’s role in literature that showcases how artists, through medium and imagination, make a good story unforgettable.
The lower floor dives deep into Folio’s storied past, presenting a timeline of artistic evolution through printed and original works from 1957 to 2024. Names like Quentin Blake and Beryl Cook are honored here, alongside contemporary voices who are reshaping what illustrated literature can look like in the 21st century. The exhibition also features documentary footage of illustrators discussing their collaborative work with Folio—underscoring how design, authorship, and interpretation intersect to form the holistic identity of a book.
Celebrating New Voices Through the Folio Book Illustration Award
In tandem with the exhibition, the Folio Society has opened submissions for its 2025 Folio Book Illustration Award—an international competition that invites new talent into this storied legacy. With a top prize of £2,500 and £500 in Folio vouchers, the award offers the winning illustrator a chance to be featured in a future Folio edition. Five runners-up will receive £500 vouchers each.
“The illustration is at the heart of everything we do at Folio,” says Rose. “We are passionate about discovering and fostering new talent, whether they paint in oils, carve wood engravings, or create digital masterpieces.”
The deadline for entries is Friday, May 23, 2025. You can find details and submission guidelines here.
Illustrations left to right: Nate Sweitzer, Evangeline Gallagher, Daniel Lievano.
In an industry often dominated by speed and scale, The Folio Society remains defiantly devoted to quality. As an employee-owned publisher, decisions are guided by passion rather than profit. Each book is a thoughtful synthesis of story, illustration, typography, and materials, designed to be read, held, and treasured.
More than a tribute to illustration, “The Art of Folio” offers a compelling look at the cultural and emotional value of the physical book. As publishing continues to evolve in a digital age, this exhibition acts as a love letter to publishing that underscores how design isn’t an afterthought; it’s essential to how we experience and interpret stories by deepening the reader’s emotional connection to a story.
This is not just an exhibition; it’s a testament to a publishing philosophy that values beauty, intention, and craft. For anyone who has paused over a perfectly illustrated page, it’s a reminder that design enhances not just the visuals but the emotional depth of a narrative.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this love letter to the art of book design and illustration.
“The Art of Folio” runs from April 16 through July 12, 2025, at the Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustration in NYC.
And for emerging illustrators with a story to tell, now might be the time to put pen to paper and join the conversation.
Illustration by Clive Hicks-Jenkins
Imagery courtesy of The Folio Society. Header illustration by © Yuko Shimizu 2025, from The Great Gatsby.
The post The Folio Society Celebrates 78 Years of Visual Storytelling Through the Art of Book Illustration appeared first on PRINT Magazine.