About SILA

The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles was founded in 1953 by a handful of Southern California advertising artists and designers who sought to promote the professional status of illustration art as well as foster both philanthropic and educational goals.

From this small beginning, SILA has grown to a very productive membership whose work is seen locally and nationally by millions each year in all printed media, television, films, the Internet, and gallery exhibitions.

The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles is firmly established as the major professional art entity on the West Coast providing significant contribution to the vitality of not only the community itself, but the nation as well.

2024 Board of Directors

Jon Messer – President, 2nd Vice President/Program Chair

Jorge Mascarenhas – 1st Vice President/Show Chair

Scott Gandell – 3rd Vice President/Development Chair

Rick Sealock – Secretary

Donivan Howard – Treasurer

Amarpal Khanna – Membership Chair

Justin Kunz – Web Chair

Santosh Oommen – Communications & Branding Chair

Ed Flynn – Editor

Jon Messer – Chairperson of the Board

Ben Bensen – Air Force Chair

Lifetime Achievement Awardees

1978 Joseph Henniger

1979 Elin Waite

1980 Al Parker

1980 Ren Wicks

1982 Don Weller

1983 Neil Boyle

1988 Leo Monahan

1990 Nixon Galloway

1995 Harry Harrington

1995 Gary Meyers

1995 Larry Salk

2003 Bill Robles

2003 David Rose

Presidents

1950s

1953 Joseph Henninger

1954 Bill Tara

1955 Howie Forsberg

1956 Ren Wicks

1957 Jack Allenberger

1958 Si Mezerow

1959 Karl Hubenthal

1960s

1960 Nixon Galloway

1961 Chuck Day

1962 Harry Garo

1963 Gene Holtan

1964 Neil Boyle

1965 Mike Shenon

1966 Leo Monahan

1967 Don Weller

1968 Elin Waite

1969 Earnie Kolla

1970s

1970 Henry Lozano

1971 Norm Merritt

1972 Ron McKee

1973 Jim Miller

1974 Robert Woodcock

1975 Theresa Woodward

1976 Rob Sprattler

1977 Ren Wicks

1978 Elliott Hutkin

1979 Howard Goldstein

1980s

1980-1981 Leo Monahan

1982 Leslie Tryon‑Tatoian

1983 Mike Machat

1984 Harry Harrington

1985 Roger Hubbard

1986 Larry Salk

1987 Craig Nelson

1988 Bobbie Moline‑Kramer

1989 Gary Meyer

1990s

1990 Jeannie Brunnick

1991 C. Winston Taylor

1992-1993 Jon Prud’homme

1994-1995 John Rowe

1996-1997 Briar Lee Mitchell

1998 Fred Smith

1999-2000 Jon Conrad

2000s

2001-2002 Nora Koerber

2003-2004 Keri Rosebraugh

2005-2006 Bob Dob

2007 Dan Poirier

2008-2009 Scott Gandell

 

2010s

2010 Scott Gandell

2011-2016 Joe Cepeda

2017 Santosh Oommen

2018-2019 Joe Cepeda

2020s

2020-2022 Joe Cepeda

2023-2024 Jon Messer