February 10, 2010

Longtime New Times and Village Voice Media illustrator Brian Stauffer has received the Society of Illustrators’ highest honor for a cover he conceived for Phoenix New Times.

Stauffer was awarded a prestigious gold medal in the Illustration 52 editorial show for an image illustrating a story about infighting within the Phoenix Police Department. The illustration is now being featured alongside other winners in the “Book and Editorial Exhibit” at the Museum of American Illustration on New York’s Upper East Side. That exhibit highlights the finest original images commissioned by American newspapers, magazines and book publishers. This year, the Society of Illustrators received 1,152 entries in the editorial category. Of those, 86 were included in the museum show, and Stauffer’s took the top prize.

Stauffer began his professional career as an editorial designer and art director at Phoenix New Times in the early 1990s. He later served as art director for VVM’s Miami New Times before launching a highly successful freelance career.

Stauffer’s winning illustration will be printed in a hard-bound book later this year. The artist talks about receiving the honor on his blog.