Spectrum: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art is a large full color book series which showcases fantasy, science fiction, and horror-themed art in eight categories as selected by a rotating jury from an annual competition.
Spectrum was initially conceived by Arnie Fenner[1] and Cathy Fenner.[2] Inspired by the popularity of Tomorrow and Beyond,[3] an image anthology edited by Ian Summers in 1978, the annual publication from The Society of Illustrators,[4] and with very successful exhibitions devoted to fantastic art at the New Britain Museum of American Art (1980),[5] and at the Society of Illustrators (1984), the Fenners decided that a volume focusing on the popular genre was justified. A Call For Entries was mailed to the arts community and a jury of professional artists convened to make selections from the work submitted in Initially six categories: Advertising, Book, Comics, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished; the results appeared in the first full color book, Spectrum 1, published by Underwood Books[6] in 1994. Later two additional categories were added: Dimensional and Concept Art. A new installment in the Spectrum series has appeared every year since. Underwood Books produced the first twenty volumes.
Feature articles and reviews have been written about the series in such industry publications such as Locus,[7] Realms of Fantasy[8] and Airbrush Art & Action[9] as well as general publications such as the Kansas City Star newspaper[10] and The Post Newspapers - Medina Edition [11] In 2013, the Fenners semi-retired and licensed the competition and book to John Fleskes, who continues to edit and publish the series under the Flesk Publications[12] imprint.
Spectrum has had nominations for, and has won, many industry awards over its history. Among them are:
Won the Locus Award for Art Book.[13]
Nominated eight times for the Hugo Award for Best Related Work.[14]
Won the Chesley Award for Art Direction.[15]
Won the World Fantasy Award for Special Award, Professional.[16]
Every year, a Call For Entries poster is sent out to anyone who requests it; a different popular illustrator provides the poster art each year. Among past poster artists are Frank Frazetta, Phil Hale, Rebecca Guay, and Brom. Notice of the competition is also made via the internet, social media and through email. Submissions are made to the website in digital form by an announced deadline. A jury of award-winning artists and art directors physically assembles in Kansas City to view and judge the submissions rather than have them vote in isolation from home via the internet. The jury casts anonymous votes on all of the submissions and simultaneously nominates works for award consideration; a group discussion follows the conclusion of voting to present a Gold and a Silver award in each category. Artworks that receive a simple majority of votes—3 out of 5—are included in the book. All artists selected for publication receive a copy of the book at no expense to them; Spectrum was the first annual to give each included artist a book.
The Spectrum series also inspired a semi-annual event, Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! (SFAL) beginning in 2012 in Kansas City, MO. Intended as a combination convention/art fair for the fantasy and science fiction art community, it has attracted artists, industry professionals and fans from around the world. The event features booths and tables for artists to sell originals and prints to the public along with programming that includes panel discussions, workshops, live painting demonstrations, and portfolio reviews by art directors from the book, comics, gaming, and entertainment industries. The Spectrum Awards have also been presented at an evening ceremony during the convention.
In 2019 Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! Collaborated with Planet Comicon Kansas City,[17] one of the midwest's largest pop-culture conventions, for the event.
The first Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! was held in Kansas City, Missouri, May 18–20, 2012. A commemorative hardcover book showcasing the art of the five special guests was produced.
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Frazetta | Gold | Steve Armes | Dean Morrissey | Joe Chiodo | Marshall Arisman | Stephen Hickman Thomas Blackshear II | Phil Hale | |
| Silver | Jerry Lofaro | Donato Giancola | Charles Vess | Rosh Ruppel | Rick Berry Scott Mack Joseph DeVito | Dennis Nolan | ||
| Certificate Of Merit | Brian Froud James Gurney | John Bolton Gary Gianni | Kinuko Craft Nick Gaetano | Ezra Tucker Scott Gustafson | William Stout John Rush |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Ivan Punchatz | Gold | John Rush | John Jude Palancar | Mark Chiarello | Randy Bowen | Mel Odom | James Gurney | Steven Assael | |
| Silver | Doug Beekman | Brom | John Mueller | Mark Newman | Luis Royo | Scott Gustafson | Tim O'Brien | ||
| Certificate Of Merit | Stu Suchit Garry Ruddell | Donato Gianbcola Bruce Jensen | Doug Beekman Glen Orbik, Laurel Blechman, & Shawn Zents | Tom Taggart Pedro Martin | James Warhola Robh Ruppel | Frank Frazetta Jay Hong | Walter Velez John Foster |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo & Diane Dillon | Gold | Rafal Olbinski | John Jude Palancar | Doug Beekman | Joseph DeVito | Rick Berry | Phil Hale | Michael Whelan | |
| Silver | Stephan "Cricket" Martiniere | James C. Christensen | Mark Schultz | J.A. Pippett | Brad Holland | Petar Meseldzija | Jeff Miracola |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Bama | Gold | Greg Spalenka | Dave McKean | Travis Charest | Lawrence Northey | Thorn Ang | Jeffery Jones | Phil Hale | |
| Silver | Ezra Tucker | Richard Bernal | Vincent Evans | The Shiflett Bros. | James Gurney | David DeVries | Kirk Reinert |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Berkey | Gold | Jerry Lofaro | Shaun Tan | Dave DeVries | Lawrence Northey | Gary Kelly | Eric Bowman | Stephen Hickman | |
| Silver | Ashley Wood | Gary Gianni | Dave McKean | Miles Teves | Donato Giancola | Oddworld Inhabitants | Patrick Arrasmith |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Lee | Gold | Rafal Olbinski | Kinuko Y. Craft | Phil Hale | Sharon Matsunmoto | Jody Hewgill | Greg Spalenka | Michael Whelan | |
| Silver | Dave McKean | David Ho | William Wm. Kaluta | Greg Polutanovich | Wes Benscoter | John Foster | David Ho |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Giraud | Gold | Kinuko Y. Craft | David Bowers | Dave McKean | Jean-Louis Crinon | Donato Giancola | Eric Bowman | Jason Nobriga | |
| Silver | Matt Stawicki | Shaun Tan | Phil Hale | Joel Harlow | James Gurney | Oddworld Inhabitants | Gregory Manchess |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinuko Y. Craft | Gold | Ashley Wood | Phil Hale | Ashley Wood | Tim Holter Bruckner | Phil Hale | Justin Sweet | Eric Bowman | |
| Silver | Greg Spalenka | Shaun Tan Kent Williams | Dave McKean Rick Berry | Lawrence Northey | Jon Foster | Rick Berry | Nilson |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael William Kaluta | Gold | Dave McKean | Charles Vess | Jon Foster | Lawrence Northey | James Gurney | Peter De Sève | Eric Joyner | |
| Silver | Donato Giancola | Kinuko Y. Craft | Christopher Moeller | William Basso | Omar Rayyan | Eric Bowman | Petar Meseldžija |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael R. Whelan | Gold | Rene Milot | David Bowers | Stephan "Cricket" Martiniere | Thomas S. Kuebler | Michael Gibbs | Todd Schorr | Raymond Swanland | |
| Silver | William Stout | Greg Swearingen | Phil Hale | Thomas s. Kuebler | Peter de Sève | Brian Despain | Patrick Arrasmith |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H. R. Giger | Gold | Brom | Brad Holland | Greg Ruth | Lawrence Northey | Thomas L. Fluharty | Arthur Suydam | Travis A. Louie | |
| Silver | Justin Sweet | Paul Bonner | Mike Huddleston | Ryan K. Peterson | Shaun Tan | Dave DeVries | Matt Gaser |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffery Jones | Gold | Donato Giancola | Jon Foster | Jeremy Geddes | Tim Bruckner | William Stout | Cos Koniotis | August Hall | |
| Silver | Andrew Jones | Michael J. Deas | David Hartman | Andrew Sinclair | Yuko Shimizu | Daniel Dociu | William Carman |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syd Mead | Gold | James Jean | Jon Foster | Adam Hughes | Daniel Dociu | Cam De Leon | James Jean | William Basso | Joao Ruas | |
| Silver | Donato Giancola | Shaun Tan | James Jean | Jonny Duddle | Rich Klink | Joao Ruas | Todd Lockwood | Johnny Yanok |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Jude Palancar | Gold | Johnny Yanok | Sam Weber | James Jean | Daniel Dociu | A. Brent Armstrong | Phil Hale | Robh Ruppel | Omar Rayyan | |
| Best In Show James Jean | Silver | Brom | Stephan Martiniere | Adam Hughes | Daniel Dociu | Akihito Ikeda | Kurt Huggins & Zelda Devon | Larry MacDougall | Brom |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard V. Corben | Gold | Ryohei Hase | Petar Meseldžija | Jon Foster | Daniel Dociu | Akiito Ikeda | Craig Elliott | James Gurney | Jeremy Enecio | |
| Silver | Yuko Shimizu | Jean-Baptiste Monge | Aleksi Briclot | Kekai Kotaki | David Meng | Nate Van Dyke | Jaime Jones | Dave Laub |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Wiliamson | Gold | Sam Weber | Omar Rayyan | Steven Tabbutt | Daniel Dociu | Mark Newman | Chris Buzelli | Ed Binkley | Eric Fortune | |
| Silver | Craig Elliott | Scott Gustafson | Eric Orchard | Ritchie Sacilioc | Jack Mathews Virginie Ropars | Sam Weber | Michael J. Deas | Donato Giancola Heather Theurer |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph McQuarrie | Gold | Ryohei Hase | David Palumbo | Rebecca Guay | Kekai Kolaki | David Meng | Android Jones | Richard Anderson | Rebecca Guay | |
| Silver | Sam Weber | Dan dos Santos | Joao Ruas David Palumbo | Tomasz Jedruszek | Akihito | Brom | Donato Giancola | S.S. Rossbach |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Gurney | Gold | Tyler Jacobson | Edward Kinsella III | Alex Alice | Justin Sweet | Virginie Ropars | Jean-Baptiste Monge | Raoul Vitale | Michael Whelan | |
| Silver | Android Jones | Jean-Baptiste Monge | Jim Murray | Daniel Dociu | Thomas S. Kuebler | James Gurney | Android Jones | Justin Gerard |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brom | Gold | Dan dos Santos | David Palumbo | Paolo Rivera | Allen Williams | Virginie Ropars | Sam Bosma | Kekai Kotaki | Cory Godbey | |
| Silver | Android Jones | Charles Vess | David Petersen | Daniel Dociu | David Meng | Sam Weber | Lucas Graciano | Andrew Mar |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iain McCaig | Gold | Kent Williams | Nicholas Delort | Thomas Campi | Theo Prins | The Shiflett Bros. | Tran Nguyen | Bill Carman | Omar Rayyan | |
| Silver | Victo Ngai | Scott Gustafson | Mark A. Nelson | Vance Kovacs | Colin & Kristine Poole | Yuko Shimizu | Justin Sweet | Yukari Masuike |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Gustafson | Gold | Taylor Wessling | Dan dos Santos | Audrey Benjaminsen | Sung Choi | Forest Rogers | Tran Nguyen | Rovina Cai | Cynthia Sheppard |
| Silver | Yuko Shimizu | Scott Gustafson | Alex Alice | Audrey Benjaminsen | David Silva | Sam Bosma | Laura Lee Brom | Paul Bonner | |
| Rising Star Award | |||||||||
| Wylie Beckert |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Mignola | Gold | Nico Delort | Rovina Cai | Daren Bader | Vance Kovacs | Forest Rogers | Tran Nguyen | Tyler Jacobson | Rob Rey |
| Silver | Joseph Qiu | Karla Ortiz | Nic Klein | Te Hu | Thomas Kuebler | Chris Seaman | Julie Bell | Wayne Haag | |
| Rising Star Award | |||||||||
| Victor Maury |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sienkiewicz | Gold | Bayard Wu | Brom | Jeremy Wilson | Sean Andrew Murray | Jesse Thompson | Tim O'Brien | Bill Carman | Karla Ortiz |
| Silver | Greg Ruth | Edward Kinsella III | Dave McKean | Iain McCaig | Akihito | Galen Dara | Ed Binkley | Jeffery Alan Love | |
| Rising Star Award | |||||||||
| Alessandra Pisano |
| GRAND MASTER AWARD | Award | Advertising | Book | Comics | Concept Art | Dimensional | Editorial | Institutional | Unpublished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Wendling | Gold | Greg Ruth | Victo Ngai | Alex Alice | Wangjie Li | Forest Rogers | Edward Kinsella III | Seb McKinnon | Andrew Hem |
| Silver | Laurel Blechman | Petar Meseldžija | Gary Gianni | Anthony Francisco | Jessica Dalva | Tim O'Brien | Piotr Jablonski | Michael Macrae | |
| Rising Star Award | |||||||||
| Miranda Meeks |