I remember having lunch way back around 1992 with a couple named Arnie and Cathy Fenner who had this crazy proposal to do a juried book of imaginative painting. I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter ever since that moment.
Arnie and his wife Cathy have put the book together every year, and they’ve done it in their spare time while being fully employed in other design jobs (though Cathy's free now to devote her considerable talents full-time). It’s a monumental task to sort through the submissions, bring the jury to Kansas City, get the files for the accepted entries, and then design and produce the book.
It’s really hard to get work accepted in Spectrum, but it’s always worth trying. The entry fees are very reasonable. If you have a series entry, such as a group of images from a single book, it’s only $40 for up to five entries. And if you get any piece accepted, they send you a copy of the book for free, something that the other annuals usually don’t do. It’s good to have something in Spectrum, because it’s is the first place art directors look for talent.
So whether you’re a student, pro, or weekend warrior: mark you calendar: The entry deadline is January 28. Download the form, get your stuff together, and do it!
----
Spectrum Annual on Amazon
Call for Entries and Submission Forms
The Spectrum Blog
