About

• The National Headliner Award (1990)
• The National Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award (1992)
• The Overseas Press Club’s Thomas Nast Award (1997)
• The Society of Professional Journalists’ Green Eyeshade Award (an 11-state Southeastern regional competition, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2007)
• The South Carolina Press Association (2007, for three cartoons)
• Winner of the Hampton Award (named for Ambrose G. Hampton, former owner and publisher of The State) in 1992. The award recognizes excellence in desk work, photography, graphics or design for employees of The State

He’s also been a finalist (the top three among nominees) for the Pulitzer Prize twice — in 1995 and 2000.

Ariail is a Columbia native and University of South Carolina graduate.

Robert is syndicated to over 600 newspapers nationwide through United Media.

He has published three collections of his cartoons. The most recent, Ariail!!!, was one of Columbia’s best-selling books in 2001.