Barbara Petchenik

Barbara Petchenik was a renowned cartographer who specialized in map art and imagination. She believed maps could go beyond practical navigation to express cultural stories, creativity, and perspectives. Her work often involved encouraging people of all ages to draw maps, highlighting different viewpoints and fostering understanding through geography. Petchenik’s legacy includes the Barbara Petchenik International Competition for Children’s Map Drawing, which promotes children’s creativity and cultural awareness through mapmaking. She helped us see maps not just as tools, but as a reflection of human experience, imagination, and diversity.