Drawing Together

In 1945, thirty delegates met in Chicago to formally establish the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI). It was officially incorporated the following year, on February 8, 1946.

Black and white photo of people seated at a table during a banquet.

Fifth Annual Meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators, 1950. Pauline Larivière seated fourth from right.

Among the 54 charter members were two women from Montreal: Pauline Larivière and Eleanor Sweezey. Larivière was working in Chicago on Dr. Otto Kampmeier’s Denoyer-Geppert anatomy charts. Sweezey had just started at Queen Mary’s Veterans’ Hospital. She described the AMI meeting as one of the most meaningful events of her professional life. For the first time, she felt part of a respected professional community.

Graphics, the journal of the Association of Medical Illustrators, 1947.

The AMI’s mission was to set professional standards, promote the advancement of visual education in medicine, and establish credibility with the medical profession. Members adopted a constitution and clear entry requirements. After 1950, formal training would be required for admission—though early applicants could join by submitting a portfolio and CV for review.

Colour journal cover titled, Graphics, 1949, Association of Medical Illustrators. In the centre an Asian medical illustration surrounded by Chinese script.

Graphics, the journal of the Association of Medical Illustrators, 1949.

One of the AMI’s most lasting contributions was its journal. First called Graphics, it later became The Journal of the Association of Medical Illustrators. It provided a space to share research, refine techniques, and advocate for the profession.

For women working in professional isolation, the AMI offered not just guidelines—but solidarity and visibility.

A Field Without a Framework Eleanor Sweezey and the Case for Medical Art