Utica-Born 'Pappyland' Creator Michael Cariglio Named a Living Legend by Oneida County History Center

Michael Cariglio, the artist who played Pappy Drew-It on the children's drawing show Pappyland, was recently named a Living Legend by the Oneida County History Center at a banquet at the Irish Cultural Center in Utica, the Rome Sentinel reported on Oct. 28, 2026.

His local story, in short:

• Born in Utica in 1948; went to Whitesboro High School.
• Drafted and sent to Vietnam, where the Army moved him into the 101st Airborne Division's public information office.
• Spent about 25 years as a freelance advertising artist.
• Co-created Pappyland with writer Jon Nappa and built its sets, backdrops and puppets. Syracuse PBS station WCNY produced it; it later ran on TLC, and TV Guide listed it among 1996's 10 best new kids' shows.

Cariglio, 78, now lives in Florida. He still takes commissions through macartwork.com and hosts a YouTube show, Mike's Inspiration Station. The article didn't give the date of the banquet.