Spectrum 24 Awards Recipients!

For 24 years Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art has been celebrating imaginative works by creators from around the world. During a ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri Saturday night, April 22nd, the celebration continued with the presentation of Gold and Silver Awards for exemplary art from the previous year in eight categories: Advertising, Book, Comics, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished. The ceremony was held in the historic Folly Theater and presided over by Spectrum's Director and publisher, John Fleskes. Presenters included such luminaries of the art community as J.A.W. Cooper, John English, James Gurney, Lauren Panepinto, John Picacio, Dan dos Santos, Bob Self, and Richard & Wendy Pini, Colin & Kristine Poole, George Pratt, Terryl Whitlatch. Spectrum co-founders Cathy and Arnie Fenner introduced a memorial video devoted to the creatives who had passed away in the previous year. Maeret Lemons served as the MC during the ceremony. Voler: Thieves of Flight, Kansas City's Premier Aerial Academy and Aerial Performance Collective, performed during the evening.

The full details of the evening and the recipients can be viewed here.

Posted on April 23, 2017

The Spectrum 24 Awards Ceremony!

For 24 years Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art has been celebrating imaginative works by creators from around the world. The Spectrum Awards Ceremony will be held in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday night, April 22nd. Entry is free for all Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event ticket holders and exhibitors.

This celebration will present the Gold and Silver Awards for exemplary art from the previous year in eight categories: Advertising, Book, Comics, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished.

The ceremony will be held in the historic Folly Theater and presided over by Spectrum’s Director and publisher, John Fleskes. Presenters include such luminaries of the art community as J.A.W. Cooper, John English, James Gurney, Iain McCaig, Lauren Panepinto, John Picacio, Dan dos Santos, Bob Self, and Richard & Wendy Pini, Colin & Kristine Poole, George Pratt, Terryl Whitlatch. Spectrum co-founders Cathy and Arnie Fenner will introduce a memorial video devoted to the creatives who had passed away in the previous year. Maeret Lemons will serve as the MC during the ceremony. Voler: Thieves of Flight, Kansas City’s Premier Aerial Academy and Aerial Performance Collective, will perform during the evening.

Posted on April 10, 2017

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live

Spectrum Fantastic Art Live runs on April 21-23 at the Kansas City Convention Center. SFAL is the annual show where the artists are the stars. This event promotes diversity in the arts and provides educational opportunities through panels and workshops conducted by top artists in the field. The event puts students, attendees, art directors and studios together to help build connections and jobs. SFAL's mission is to grow the appreciation of fantastic art across all media. It also highlights the increasing impact technology has on the arts and provides platforms for these creators and innovators.

Hundreds of artists will be in attendance, many of whom will be there as exhibitors. They will have on display original works, prints, sculptures, crafts and toys for sale. We hope you can join us and participate in presentations, panels, portfolio reviews, workshops and educational opportunities.

Twelve artists who have been published by Flesk will make special appearances at our Flesk/Spectrum booth. This includes Daren Bader, Gerald Brom, Bill Carman, Iain McCaig, Terry Dodson, Frank Cho, Jaw Cooper, Gary Gianni, Android Jones, Jeffrey Alan Love, Richard and Wendy Pini, and Terryl Whitlatch! Also joining us are Laurie Lee Brom, James Gurney, and Aaron Lopresti.

SFAL is the event that celebrates the fantastic arts. Its goal is to honor the artists and put on a fantasy-art convention that anyone is welcome to attend and enjoy. Tickets are just $5.00 at the door per day. Kids 12 and under are free.

Posted on April 6, 2017

Spectrum 24 Artist List!

The complete list of artist names selected for inclusion into the twenty-fourth volume of Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art is now available!

The five member jury selected nearly 500 works by 297 artists that will make up Spectrum 24. These creators that work in every style and medium--both traditional and digital--represent the finest in the fantasy, horror, science fiction and the surreal genres from around the world. You will find top industry names who serve as the current definition of excellence and discover the rising stars who are being published for the first time.

Individual emails to those artists accepted will begin to go out this week. Full details regarding the next steps will be provided.

From everyone here at the Spectrum and Flesk offices, we would like to thank all of the artists who submitted to Spectrum 24. We couldn't do what we do without your support. This includes putting out the Spectrum annual each year, organizing and running the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event, putting on the Spectrum Awards Ceremony where we hand out the Spectrum awards, and making the artist feature videos that we post online. You have our most sincere gratitude. Thank you!

Posted on March 6, 2017

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