Since the deadline is slightly over a week away—and to go along with Dan’s recent post about entering Spectrum—John Fleskes answers some questions and offers some tips.


#1 “Is there an advantage to entering my art online or by mail as a print?”

The important thing to know right off the bat is that one option does not give you an edge over the other option. Both digital and print submissions get equal attention from the judges and you have an equal chance of getting selected regardless of how you enter.
For Spectrum 21, eighty percent of the submissions came in online. Out of curiosity I paid attention to the percentage of art that was selected in both the digital and print areas to see if one had an advantage over the other. They were both right in line with one another. One method did not visibly outweigh the other.

The jury views the digitally submitted art on individual 24″ screens (not projected to the group) and the prints are presented on tables. Each jury member votes anonymously and at his or her own pace. Discussion and grouping is discouraged (with the exception of the awards selections) to keep the selection process fair and truthful. However, having the jury together in once place heightens the overall sense of responsibility and purpose to the process, ensuring that each entry is thoughtfully considered and votes carefully cast. Spectrum is the only fantastic art competition for which the judges gather under one roof at one time to make their selections. To get into Spectrum you need three or more of the five jury member’s votes: it’s not easy to get in. Historically around eight to nine percent of the submissions make it into the yearly annual.

#2 “What size should my entries be?”

Take advantage of the artwork submission guidelines by submitting good quality prints or digital files. We can’t stress this enough. We want everyone to have the best chance to be seen by the jury.

If you are submitting online take advantage of our maximum size at 2000 pixels wide and/or 2000 pixels tall. (JPG file no larger than 10MB.) Each jury member uses his or her own large screen when viewing the artwork. Make sure your art fills the screen so they can take a good look at it! Don’t send in a small postcard sized thumbnail. Take the time to prepare a proper presentation.

For submissions by mail, I recommend sending in a print out of your art no smaller than 8.5″ x 11″ and no larger than 18″ x 24″. I think the best sizes range from 9″ x 12″ to 11″ x 17″. Yes, some people send in massive poster sized images. It’s just too big. Just like art displayed too small can make it hard for the jury members to view, art too big doesn’t necessarily mean you have a better chance. The print submissions are placed out on tables for the jury members to view and vote for individually.






#3 “I’m a sculptor: can I send more than one view of my entry?”

Anyone submitting to the Dimensional category is allowed to submit up to three views of an entry (and, no, there’s no additional fee). If you are submitting a sculpture we recommend a full shot from the front, a side view and a back view or detail. We want the jury to see these multiple angles of your work so that they have adequate visual information to base their decisions. This is especially important if your art is considered for an award.Another tip for this category is our recommendation to get a clear, in focus, quality photographs. Don’t take simple, quick snaps with your phone. If you do not have a good camera then take the extra time to find someone who does, light your piece well and make sure the details are visible in the pictures that you send us.


Above: Spectrum 22’s jury will be Justin Gerard, Virginie Ropars, Greg Ruth,
Annie Stegg Gerard, and Dice Tsutsumi


#4 “Does my artwork have to be fantasy-related to submit to Spectrum?”

Yes: Spectrum’s focus is on “Fantastic Art,” but keep in mind that focus covers a lot of territory encompassing a sweeping range of possibilities. Fantastic Art can be very subtle or very obvious, literal or interpretive, traditional, off-the-wall, or reality-tilted-slightly-askew. Art can be painted, sculpted, created digitally or photographed. Fantastic Art chronicles places and peoples and creatures and events that aren’t or never were or might be one day. Just as there is no unacceptable way to create art, there are no carved in stone rules that say one piece qualifies while another does not. Spectrum doesn’t define Fantastic Art: what you do and what the jury selects writes the definition each year. We do not pre-screen submissions and we do not arbitrarily restrict the type of art that is submitted. We make sure every submission is viewed with fairness and an open mind by the jury. We welcome all art works in all mediums embracing the themes of science fiction, fantasy, horror, the surreal, fine art and more. Each type (and types that we may not have even thought of) is eligible for this show.


#5: “What is the #1 mistake people make when submitting entries online?”

Not labeling their art when posting it. A small percentage of people do not include their name or art title when uploading their entries. In this case we send an email asking for clarification or new art files properly labeled. Help us help you by labeling your art by first and last name followed by the art title. Please!

#6: “How do I know that my submission arrived?”

We take great care in reviewing the details of every submission that arrives. For online entries we check your online form and artwork to make sure your name, the art title and all other relevant details match. Once this is done we send an official email confirmation to notify you that your submission has been accepted. For submissions that arrive as prints in the mail, once you see that your payment has been processed you can rest assured that we have received and logged your submissions.

If we have any questions or if any art is missing we will contact you by email or by phone. We always take great care in making sure all submissions look their best for the jury.

Remember: the deadline is Monday, January 26!


Above: The awards for Spectrum 22—and this year’s Grand Master Honoree—will be presented at the historic Folly Theater in Kansas City during Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4 Memorial Day weekend.