Soul, Sound & Voice

Over the course of his fifty-year career, Pinkney—who was born and raised in Pennsylvania—illustrated over 100 children’s books, including award-winning titles like “The Lion & the Mouse” and “The Little Mermaid.” Extending his vision beyond books, Pinkney brought his immense talent to commercial work, creating iconic album covers, posters, and magazine illustrations featuring figures like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Ma Rainey, and Pittsburgh legend Roy Eldridge. His artworks will take center stage in Soul, Sound & Voice: Watercolors by Jerry Pinkney, honoring his groundbreaking efforts to diversify children’s literature, redefine commercial illustration and inspire future generations.

The exhibition is organized into three sections—Soul, Sound, and Voice—and features nearly 100 of his bright and bold watercolors along with rarely seen black and white drawings, illuminating the importance of music in his artistic practice. Revered alongside great watercolorists like Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent, Pinkney brought an exceptional technique to the accessible popular media, using picture books and commercial art to tell compelling stories for everyone. This welcoming exhibition invites visitors of all ages to explore his legacy and share in the joyful rhythm of his art.

Soul, Sound & Voice: Watercolors by Jerry Pinkney is organized by Woodmere and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for Arts (NEA) and the Terra Foundation for American Art.