Leslie Cober

Leslie Cober is an award-winning illustrator, designer, curator, and educator whose work celebrates optimism, storytelling, and the power of visual communication. Her illustrations have appeared in thousands of assignments for global publications and international initiatives, reflecting her belief in the ability of art to connect people and ideas across cultures.

A passionate advocate for community engagement through the arts, Cober has curated the NYC Parks Art, Culture & Fun series, producing close to 200 public workshops across all five boroughs of New York City. Her artwork was recently featured in Legacy of the Line, a curated exhibition at Farmingdale State University that presented her work alongside that of her late father, renowned illustrator Alan E. Cober, exploring their shared creative lineage and contributions to the history of illustration. Legacy of the Line II travels to Western Connecticut State University, exhibiting the month of September 2026.

Cober has served on numerous international juries representing the United States and was selected to represent the country at the United Nations Climate Conference, where she curated a global poster exhibition in collaboration with the German Consulate. The project showcased artwork from art schools across all five continents, uniting artists worldwide in a shared vision of environmental awareness and creative responsibility.

She currently serves as President of the Society of Illustrators in New York City, where she has curated the Society’s Annual Members Exhibit since 2013. A graduate of the Hartford Art School’s MFA in Illustration program, she now returns as Director of the MFA in Illustration, continuing her commitment to advancing the field through mentorship and visionary leadership.

Her distinguished career also includes years of teaching and inspiring future illustrators at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Western Connecticut State University, along with a legacy as a visiting speaker at universities and colleges across the country, where she encourages students to “think out of the box” and develop a distinctive artistic voice. Through her creative practice, curatorial projects, and academic leadership, Cober continues to bridge art, education, and community - empowering artists to create expressive, purposeful, and impactful visual work.

Most recently, Cober received the NYC OTTY (Our Town Thanks You) Award, presented by New York State Senator José M. Serrano, Chair of Cultural Affairs, recognizing leadership and contributions that strengthen New York City’s cultural community.