Chicon 7 Art Focus

Science fiction and fantasy art is celebrated by every Worldcon. When Chicon 7 starts three weeks from today, the convention, with the support of ASFA, The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists, will offer members the chance to view elaborate exhibits, acquire sf and fantasy works at a large Art Show, and enjoy a special commemorative art publication.

The Art Show in the Hyatt’s Regency Ballroom will feature over 100 artists. There, members also will be able to buy copies of The Artist Showcase, a limited edition, 56-page, full-color commemorative publication with biographies and selected works from the exhibiting artists. (Cost, $10.)

There will be a special exhibit from Guest of Honor Jane Frank – a re-creation of the Haggard Room from her home — and the presentation of the Chesley Awards. The Chesley Awards recognize individual artistic works and achievements in 11 categories, including cover illustration in hardcover, paperback, and magazine formats, interior illustration, unpublished color and monochrome work, three-dimensional art, product and gaming-related illustration, art direction, and overall artistic achievement.

Chicon 7 has already posted a free online gallery of exhibiting artists to pique your interest.

The full press release follows the jump.

PRESS RELEASE #30

Chicon 7 Steps Up Art Activities with ASFA Support

Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention,

Chicago, IL – August 30 to September 3, 2012

[email protected]

www.chicon.org

Postal queries to: Chicon 7, P.O. Box 13, Skokie, IL 60076

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Chicago, Illinois, USA – Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), will showcase science fiction and fantasy art with the support of ASFA, The Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. Chicon 7’s art activities will include the Art Show, an Artist Showcase publication, a special exhibit from Guest of Honor Jane Frank, and the presentation of the Chesley Awards.

The Art Show will be presented in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and will feature the work of over 100 artists including leading names in the field such as Artist Guest of Honor Rowena Morrill, Kelly Freas, Elizabeth Berrien, Richard Powers, and Don Maitz.  Original works and prints will be available in all price ranges from a few dollars to many thousands.

The Artist Showcase is a limited edition, 56-page, full color commemorative publication featuring biographies and selected artworks from the exhibiting artists. The Showcase will be available to Chicon 7 members from the Art Show and from the Sales to Members area, at a price of $10 per copy. A free, online, gallery of the exhibiting artists can also be found on the Chicon 7 website at www.chicon.org/artist-gallery.php.

The Chicon 7 special art exhibit is the Frank Room, a recreation of the Haggard Room from Jane and Howard Frank’s house. This room celebrates Jane and Howard’s love of the works of H. Rider Haggard and features specially commissioned art illustrating many of Haggard’s stories, in a room decorated with Victorian era furnishings. Artists represented in the Haggard room include Michael Whelan, Don Maitz, Bob Eggleton, Donato Giancola, Ian Miller, Jeff Jones, Richard Bober, and Steve Hickman. See www.chicon.org/frankroom.php for additional information.

The 2012 Chesley Awards ceremony will be held on Friday, August 31, starting at at 7:30 p.m. in the Comiskey Room at the Hyatt Regency. The Chesley Awards recognize individual artistic works and achievements in 11 categories, including cover illustration in hardcover, paperback, and magazine formats, interior illustration, unpublished color and monochrome work, three-dimensional art, product and gaming-related illustration, art direction, and overall artistic achievement.

ABOUT ASFA

ASFA (www.asfa-art.org) is a non-profit organization of science fiction and fantasy artists that promotes art in the genre. ASFA has a long association with Worldcon going back to 1985, and traditionally presents the Chesley Awards during the event. Chicon 7 is delighted to have ASFA’s support for its art exhibits, publications and programming.

ENDS

Chicon 7 is the 2012 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. Chicon 7’s Guests of Honor are five-time Hugo winning author Mike Resnick, artist Rowena Morrill, art agent and collector Jane Frank, science fiction fan and former Worldcon chair Peggy Rae Sapienza, and astronaut Story Musgrave. Chicon 7’s Toastmaster is John Scalzi.

For more details about the convention or to purchase memberships, visit www.chicon.org. Send press questions, or requests to be removed from the Chicon 7 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.