Spectrum: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art is an American 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.
History Spectrum was initially conceived by Arnie Fenner and Cathy Fenner. Inspired by the popularity of Tomorrow and Beyond, an image anthology edited by Ian Summers in 1978, the annual publication from The Society of Illustrators, and with very successful exhibitions devoted to fantastic art at the New Britain Museum of American Art (1980), 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from the work submitted in initially six categories: Advertising, Book, Comics, Editorial, Institutional, and Unpublished; the results appeared in the first full color book, Spectrum 1, published by Underwood Books in 1994.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,Haber, Karen. “Karen Haber Reviews Spectrum 25”, Locus Realms of FantasyGallo, Irene. "Gallery: Spectrum", Realms of Fantasy, Vol 11 No 6, August 2005 and Airbrush Art & ActionStaff Writer. "Book Review of Spectrum 3"], Airbrush Art & Action, February 1998 as well as general publications such as the Kansas City Star newspaperMcTavish, Brian. Fantastic Images, The Kansas City Star, February 1, 1996. and The Post Newspapers - Medina Edition Sabo, Elizabeth. Paintings Fit For A King, The Post Newspapers - Medina Edition, May 8, 2020.
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 imprint.
Awards
Spectrum has had nominations for, and has won, many industry awards over its history. Among them are:
Won the Locus Award for Best Illustrated and Art Book 15 times.
Nominated eight times for the Hugo Award for Best Related Work.
Won the Chesley Award for Art Direction.
Won the World Fantasy Award for Special Award, Professional.
Selection process
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.
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live!
The Spectrum series also inspired a semi-annual event, Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! (SFAL) beginning in 2012 in Kansas City. 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, one of the midwest's largest pop-culture conventions, for the event.
The first Spectrum Fantastic Art Live! was held in Kansas City, May 18–20, 2012. A commemorative hardcover book showcasing the art of the five special guests was produced.
Volumes
Spectrum 1 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members Notes 152 195 91 Chairman's Message - Cathy BurnettIntroduction - Lee Stuart James Gurney Joseph DeVito Rick Berry, Arnie Fenner, Tim KirkDon Ivan Punchatz, Dave StevensLisa Tallarico-Robertson and Michael R. Whelan The First Edition editor was credited to Cathy Burnett. Later editions were credited to Cathy Fenner after she and Arnie Fenner were married.There was a hardcover edition signed by all of the jurors, limited to 500 copies that was also published.This first volume did not have Gold or Silver awards, but Merit Awards were given to the Artists.The winners of The Chesley Awards by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists organization were also listed.
+Spectrum 1 Awards Advertising Book Comics Editorial Institutional Unpublished Nick GaetanoJerry Lofaro Garry RuddellRichard Bernal Simon BisleyRay LagoBill Sienkiewicz Herb DavidsonRick BerryDarrel Anderson Scott GustafsonJohn RushHap HenriksonJames GurneyThomas Blackshea II Phil HaleMyles PinkneyMichael R. Whelan
Spectrum 2 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members Notes 134 230 133 Chairman's Message - Cathy Burnett and Arnie Fenner First Edition: Rick BerryLater editions: Steven Assel Phil Hale Rick Berry, Terri Windling, Charles Vess, David Cherry, and Kerig Pope The First Edition editor was credited to Cathy Burnett. Later editions were credited to Cathy Fenner after she and Arnie Fenner were married.On this volume, the original cover was Rick Berry's digital painting of "Death" done for DC Comics. DC Comics asked to change it on reprints since Spectrum was not a part of DC.The winners of The Chesley Awards by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists organization were also listed.
+Spectrum 2 Awards GRAND MASTER AWARD Award Advertising Book Comics Editorial Institutional Unpublished Frank Frazetta Gold Steve Armes Dean Morrissey Joe Chiodo Marshall Arisman Stephen HickmanThomas Blackshear II Phil Hale Silver Jerry Lofaro Donato Giancola Charles Vess Rosh Ruppel Rick BerryScott MackJoseph DeVito Dennis Nolan Certificate Of Merit Brian FroudJames Gurney John BoltonGary Gianni Kinuko Y. CraftNick Gaetano Ezra TuckerScott Gustafson William StoutJohn Rush
Spectrum 3 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members Notes 141 228 148 Chairman's Message - Cathy Burnett and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Frank Frazetta Donato Giancola Gary Ruddell, Harlan Ellison, Bill Nelson, Mike Mignola, Teri Czeczko, Jill Bauman, and Dennis Kitchen The First Edition editor was credited to Cathy Burnett. Later editions were credited to Cathy Fenner after she and Arnie Fenner were married.The Dimensional category was added with this volume.The winners of The Chesley Awards by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists organization were also listed.
+Spectrum 3 Awards GRAND MASTER AWARD Award Advertising Book Comics Dimensional Editorial Institutional Unpublished Don Ivan Punchatz Gold John Rush John Jude Palencar 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 SuchitGarry Ruddell Donato GiancolaBruce Jensen Doug BeekmanGlen Orbik, Laurel Blechman, & Shawn Zents Tom TaggartPedro Martin James WarholaRobh Ruppel Frank FrazettaJay Hong Walter VelezJohn Foster
Spectrum 4 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members Notes 141 245 171 Chairman's Message - Cathy Fenner and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner James C. Christensen Yuri Bartoli Gary Kelly, Sue Ann Harkey, Maria Carbado, Vincent DiFate, Bud Plant, and Vern Dufford The winners of The Chesley Awards by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists organization were listed.
+Spectrum 4 Awards GRAND MASTER AWARD Award Advertising Book Comics Dimensional Editorial Institutional Unpublished Leo & Diane Dillon Gold Rafal Olbinski John Jude Palencar Doug Beekman Joseph DeVito Rick Berry Phil Hale Michael R. Whelan Silver Stephan "Cricket" Martiniere James C. Christensen Mark Schultz J.A. Pippett Brad Holland Petar Meseldzija Jeff Miracola
Spectrum 5 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members 165 318 199 Editor's Message - Cathy & Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Donato Giancola Kent Williams Terry Lee, Joe Kubert, Tom Dolphins, John English, Joseph DeVito, and Donato Giancola
+Spectrum 5 Awards GRAND MASTER AWARD Award Advertising Book Comics Dimensional Editorial Institutional Unpublished James Bama Gold Greg Spalenka Dave McKean Travis Charest Lawrence Northey Thorn Ang Jeffrey Catherine Jones Phil Hale Silver Ezra Tucker Richard Bernal Vincent Evans The Shiflett Bros. James Gurney David DeVries Kirk Reinert
Spectrum 6 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members Notes 173 282 200 Chairman's Message - Cathy Fenner and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Jim Burns Scott Gustafson Steve Mark, Phil Reynolds, George Diggs, Ken Westphal, Susan Sifers, John Jude Palencar, Bud Plant, and Phil Hale This year held a Spectrum Student Competition which awarded scholarships.
+Spectrum 6 Awards 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
+ Spectrum Student Competition $1,000 Scholarship $500 Scholarship $300 Scholarship Jin N. Lee Eric Fortune Thomas L. Hicke II
Spectrum 7 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members 195 330 226 Chairman's Message - Cathy Fenner and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Cliff Nielsen Jon Foster Rick Berry, Vern Dufford, Scott Gustafson, Bob Haas, Bud Plant, Toby Schwartz, and Greg Spalenka
+Spectrum 7 Awards GRAND MASTER AWARD Award Advertising Book Comics Dimensional Editorial Institutional Unpublished Alan Lee Gold Rafal Olbinski Kinuko Y. Craft Phil Hale Sharon Matsumoto Jody Hewgill Greg Spalenka Michael R. Whelan Silver Dave McKean David Ho Michael William Kaluta Greg Polutanovich Wes Benscoter John Foster David Ho
Spectrum 8 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members 173 298 211 Chairman's Message - Cathy Fenner and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Alan Pollack Michael R. Whelan Brom, Harlan Ellison, Irene Gallo, Guy Giunta, Gregory Manchess, and John Jude Palencar
+Spectrum 8 Awards 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
Spectrum 9 + Pages Artworks Artists Essays Front Cover Back Cover Jury Members 173 322 216 Chairman's Message - Cathy Fenner and Arnie FennerThe Year In Review - Arnie Fenner Daniael R. Horne Donato Giancola Rick Berry, Terese Nielsen, Bob Haas, Phil Hale, David DeVries, and Tim Holter Bruckner