Drawn to Life: UWG Hosting An Evening with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Cartoonist Mike Luckovich Share this page
With pen, ink and sharp wit, Mike Luckovich has become one of the most recognizable voices in American editorial cartooning. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts, the University of West Georgia will host “An Evening with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Cartoonist Mike Luckovich.”
A two-time Pulitzer Prize recipient, Luckovich has served as the editorial cartoonist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1989. Known for his bold, ink-only style, Luckovich’s cartoons convey complex political and social issues into striking, single-frame commentary that resonates far beyond the page. His work is published in newspapers across the country and has appeared in major publications including Time, Newsweek and The New York Times.
During the event, Luckovich will reflect on his life in cartoons, exploring how the medium both reflects and refracts the wider culture. He will also discuss the unique power editorial cartoons continue to hold in the digital age, where images can cut through noise, spark dialogue and challenge audiences to think critically about current events.
For Clint Samples, professor and interim dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, bringing Luckovich to campus has been a long-standing goal.
“Last year, Dr. Chad Davidson [executive director of global engagements and cultural programming of UWG Culture Lab] and I discussed the idea of bringing high-profile speakers to campus,” Samples said. "One person who immediately came to mind for me was Mike Luckovich from the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.”
As a former art student at UWG, Samples ’96 recalls first hearing Luckovich speak during an awards ceremony in Carrollton in the early 1990s. He said this event also reflects a collaborative effort across campus.
“This event builds on my conversation with Chad and provides a great opportunity for our students and community members to learn from one of the most renowned editorial cartoonists in the country,” he said. “Luckovich’s practical, humorous and career-focused talk left a lasting impression on me, and I’ve always wanted to invite him back so that today’s UWG students can benefit from his insights just as I did. I’m happy that our areas could come together to co-sponsor this event.”
The evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the main program at 6:30 p.m. Part of UWG’s longstanding Other Night School series, this special event is co-sponsored by the UWG Culture Lab and the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to guarantee seating. Reserve your spot online.