Draft:Hélène Van Coppenolle

Hélène Van Coppenolle (Antwerp, 1905 - Antwerp, 1985) was a Belgian illustrator, graphic designer and teacher.

Early life and education
She obtained her diploma in art advertising art in 1925 and diploma in book illustration in 1941 from the Vakschool voor Kunstambachten in Antwerp, where she took classes with Jos Léonard and Joris Minne. In 1944 she received her diploma in Book Illustration and Engraving Art from National School of Visual Arts and Architecture La Cambre in Brussels.

Career
At the age of 27, Hélène Van Coppenolle founded the Sint-Lucas pavilion (Section des Arts Décoratifs) in Antwerpen affiliated with het Sint-Jozef Instituut founded by Instituut der Dochters van Maria. The first diploma's were signed by Jos Leonard, Joris Minne en Eugene Yoors. In 1936, architect Eliane Havenith was one of the first alumni's of the Sint-Lucas pavilion. Graphic designer Lucien De Roeck was invited by her to teach at the Institute. In 1959, the school was officially recognised and became the current Sint-Lucas in Antwerp under her leadership.

Helène Van Coppenolle designed different posters, among which the poster for the 5de Biënnale voor Beeldhouwkunst (5th Biënnale for Sculpture) of the Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum which is conserved at the Letterenhuis in Antwerp. She also illustrated books for authors such as Stijn Streuvels and showed her work in different exhibitions such as the world fairs of 1937 in Paris, 1939 in New York and 1958 in Brussels.

Archive
The archive of Hélène Van Coppenolle is in the collection of the Letterenhuis in Antwerp. Some of her designs are also conserved at the Museum Plantin-Moretus.