THE ART OF KADIR NELSON

Kadir Nelson’s painting for the cover of the March 9, 2026, issue was inspired by the frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall that have swept across much of the country recently. Last week, parts of New York City saw nearly two feet in a span of twenty-four hours, and bright blue skies the following day.

The annual Alumni Basketball Game, organized by Pratt Athletics and the Office of Alumni Engagement, returned to the newly renovated ARC on Saturday, Feb 21, bringing together generations of Cannoneers for a day of competition and camaraderie. The celebration included an alumni scrimmage and reception, with approximately 75 alumni and guests in attendance, and preceded the final men’s basketball game of the regular season, which concluded with a 12-13 record.

Around two dozen former Cannoneers donned gold and black jerseys and shared time through 20-minute halves, playing tight defense, battling for rebounds, and mixing midrange jumpers, layups, and three-pointers. The first half stayed competitive as both teams adjusted to the spotlight, but after the break, the gold team found its rhythm and pulled ahead to secure the win...

Kadir Nelson is the recipient of the 2026 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced today during the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

“The jury recognizes Kadir Nelson as a brilliant artist whose contributions to children’s literature capture the African American experience with a beauty and depth that cannot be erased,” said Award Committee Chair Dr. Andrea Jamison.

Nelson is a renowned artist and storyteller whose work as both author and illustrator appears in over 30 children’s books. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to children’s literature, including the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Robert F. Sibert Medal and multiple New York Times Best Illustrated Book distinctions.

The Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement is named in memory of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. The annual award is presented in odd years (i.e., 2027, 2029) to a practitioner for substantial contributions through active engagement with youth using award-winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading-related activities/programs. The recipient may be a public librarian, academic librarian, school librarian (public or private), an educator or youth literature advocate whose vocation, work, volunteer service or ongoing promotion of books with and/or on behalf of youth is significant and sustained.

A New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller® 

BASKET BALL: The Story of the All-American Game by Kadir Nelson.

Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson delivers the perfect gift for basketball fans of any age—a beautifully illustrated history of the game and its key players over the years—in this companion to his bestsellingWe Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. 

Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life.The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players—including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry—are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.