Peggy Owens (Skillen) in 1951
Peggy Owens Skillen (1930–2014) was an artist and illustrator who was credited during the second and third seasons of Sesame Street. Skillen and Elaine Selig were credited together in the second season as artists; in the third, Skillen was credited solo for illustrations. Among Skillen's contributions were the illustrations in the credit crawl seen at the end of seasons three through five, and prop portraits used in Episode 0304 (Mr. Snuffleupagus, a kitten, and a chair) and Episode 0357 (Oscar the Grouch).
A 1952 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where she majored in graphic arts, Skillen had previously illustrated for the Pittsburgh Courier before moving to New York City. Skillen illustrated Gwendolyn Reed's 1969 children's bedtime poetry book Songs the Sandman Sings, designed fabrics, and worked on New York City musicals. Later turning her focus to education, she served as a reading specialist with the New York City School System, developing school marching bands and other musical activities for students outside of the classroom.