SCBWI SOUTHERN BREEZE REGIONAL CONFERENCES ILLUSTRATION PORTFOLIOS: QUICK FIRE CRITIQUE, PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE and POST CONFERENCE ZOOM REVIEWS
(**TO SUBMIT FOR QUICK FIRE ABOVE AND POST CONFERENCE REVIEWS YOU'LL NEED TO BE SIGNED INTO GOOGLE TO UPLOAD**)
2026 BIRMINGHAM WIK CONFERENCE
FOR THE ILLUSTRATORS!
- QUICK FIRE CRITIQUE (FREE) is a session where you'll have your work critiqued in a fast paced session. This is available to all conference attendees. See form above for more information! 3-5 WORKS MUST BE SUBMITTED AS A PDF ONE WEEK BEFORE THE CONFERENCE.
- PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE (FREE): Another conference favorite, the Portfolio Showcase features the work of artists and illustrators from the Southern Breeze region. For artists/illustrators: Showcase and promote your work. Guests and attendees of this event include Library visitors and the public, conference faculty and attendees and others during Library Hours on Friday and Saturday. SCBWI is not responsible for any portfolios or promotional materials left behind. Upon conference registration online, each portfolio showcase participant must read the online release and check the box indicating approval prior to leaving the portfolio for review. REGISTER YOUR PORTFOLIO BY FILLING OUT OUR PRE-REGISTRATION WAIVER FORM ABOVE and then BRING YOUR PORTFOLIO IN PERSON, Details below.
- POST CONFERENCE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS (NOT FREE, PAID): These paid reviews are held one week after the conference with our guest Art Director of the conference or with an Art Representative. Details will be on the Conference Registration Website. WORK OR WEBSITE MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF CONFERENCE, SUNDAY MIDNIGHT. (Note, Jime Wimmer will be at the conference to assist anyone who needs some help with PDFs and presentation)
FOR DETAILS REGARDING QUICK FIRE AND POST CONFERENCE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, CLICK THE TILES ABOVE TO LEARN MORE.
Details about Portfolio Showcase Drop off and pick up Times/locations, please see Conference Packet and/or Schedule.
Exhibition Materials*:
- Portfolio (required)
- Promotional postcards (optional)
- Dummy (optional)
- Published books (optional)
Portfolio:
- One (1) portfolio per illustrator
- Portfolios must be the participant’s own artwork
- Please label all items with your name and contact information
- Images must be attached/secured to the portfolio (no separate images, framed images, etc.)
- Copies/prints only; no original art
- Standard format only:
- 10–15 images recommended
- Portfolio size (open): 34”w x 17”h
- Portfolios/images that exceed this size cannot be accepted for display.
Business or Promotional Cards
- Cards must be bound or in a bag/box; no loose cards please.
- 100 cards (suggested)
- Card size: Up to 5” x 7” vertical or horizontal
Published Book (optional)
- Published illustrators (traditionally or self-published) may include 1-2 works for display.
- Limit two (2)
Dummy Book (optional)
- A dummy is an opportunity to display your ability to create a children’s book and may be displayed as an addition to (but not a replacement of) your portfolio.
- Limit two (2)
- Dummy may not, in any way, be a partially or fully published book.
- Dummy must be attached to your portfolio (string, yarn, and ribbon work well).
- For dummies that include another’s work (e.g. writing) include attribution.
Have questions?
Email our Illustrator Coordinator, Jime Wimmer, at [email protected].
Additional Resources
For more information about illustrator portfolios, visit the SCBWI Michigan Blog and read the “Portfolio Field Guide by Jen + Katie”.