Kadir Nelson’s “Plein Air”

For the cover of the May 25, 2026, issue, the artist Kadir Nelson decided to paint a tribute to the city’s budding artists. “I recently spied a young kid walking around town with a sketch pad and a backpack full of art supplies,” Nelson said. “It conjured memories from my youth, and I wanted to honor him and others who are developing their love of the craft.”

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