Art Focus at 2011 Worldcon

Art @ Renovation is a series of thematic events and opportunities to interact with top sf artists at this year’s Worldcon in Reno. Among the highlights are:

  • Art Night, a visual arts festival throughout the evening of Thursday, August 18. Art Night will kick off with the Chesley Awards, given by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA), recognizing individual artistic works and achievements in science fiction and fantasy, and continue with panels, games, workshops, and demonstrations, along with highlights of the Renovation Film Festival.
  • An Illustration Masterclass led by Chesley and Gaughan Award winner Richard Hescox.
  • Portfolio review opportunities with Guest of Honor Boris Vallejo and leading industry Art Directors including Jon Schindehette, Lou Anders and David Palumbo.
  • A substantial Art Show featuring original artwork and prints from over 80 artists. The Art Show is supported by an online Artist Showcase. There also will be a printed commemorative publication available for purchase at the con.
  • A special exhibit and programming featuring the work of Artist Guest of Honor Boris Vallejo, as well as his wife and partner, Julie Bell, and her sons, fellow artists David and Anthony Palumbo.

The full press release follows the jump.

Renovation, The 69th World Science Fiction Convention,

Reno, Nevada – August 17-21, 2011

[email protected]

www.renovationsf.org

Postal queries to: RCFI, PO Box 13278, Portland, OR 97213-0278

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 20, 2011

Reno, Nevada, USA – Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention, has confirmed exciting plans to highlight science fiction and fantasy art through exhibits, special events, and programming collectively called “Art @ Renovation”. Two highly respected organizations are sponsoring these wide-ranging art activities.

Highlights of this unique event include:

– Art Night, a visual arts festival throughout the evening of Thursday, August 18. Art Night will kick off with the Chesley Awards, given by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA) recognizing individual artistic works and achievements in science fiction and fantasy, and continue with panels, games, workshops, and demonstrations, along with highlights of the Renovation Film Festival.

– An Illustration Masterclass led by Chesley and Gaughan Award winner Richard Hescox.

– Portfolio review opportunities with Guest of Honor Boris Vallejo and leading industry Art Directors including Jon Schindehette, Lou Anders and David Palumbo.

– A substantial Art Show featuring original artwork and prints from over 80 artists. The Art Show is supported by an online Artist Showcase (viewable at www.renovationsf.org/art-gallery.php) as well as a printed commemorative publication that will be available for purchase at Renovation.

– A special exhibit and programming featuring the work of Artist Guest of Honor Boris Vallejo, as well as his wife and partner, Julie Bell, and her sons, fellow artists David and Anthony Palumbo.

– Greatly expanded opportunities for artists and fans to interact, including “Meet the Artist” hours in the Art Show and a special Artist Alley in our Dealers Room. Space is still available in our Art Show, Masterclass and Portfolio Reviews, and we urge established and aspiring artists to join us in Reno. For full details of all of our art-related events, see www.renovationsf.org/art.php.

We are deeply grateful to our two sponsors, without whose support Art @ Renovation would not have been possible.

Our lead sponsor is The Frank Foundation, which was established by renowned collectors Howard and Jane Frank in 1997 to support the imaginative arts. Since that time, the Foundation has made grants to institutions and organizations for various projects, including exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.

Our second sponsor is IlluXCon (www.illuxcon.com), the professional convention dedicated to art of the fantastic, now in its fourth year. We greatly appreciate IlluxCon’s kind financial support and would also like to acknowledge the inspiration of the energy and sense of community that is apparent throughout this unique event.

ENDS

Renovation is the 2011 World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”). The first Worldcon occurred in New York City in 1939 and Worldcons have been held annually since then except for 1942-45 when there was no event due to World War II. Renovation’s Guests of Honor are Ellen Asher, Charles N. Brown (in memoriam), Tim Powers and Boris Vallejo.

For more details about the convention or to purchase memberships, visit www.renovationsf.org. Send press questions, or requests to be removed from the Renovation press release mailing list, to [email protected]. Send general queries to [email protected].

“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.

Update 06/24/2011: Added ASFA references to correspond to update made at Renovation website.