Not the Hugos: The Chesley Awards

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It seems that everybody is talking about what happened at Sasquan this past week You know, those awards that everybody was talking about. I guess that I should talk a bit about the awards that were handed out at that convention as well.

I speak, of course, about the Chesley Awards.

What? You didn’t hear about those? Not surprising. Few people talk about those awards and this year they were overshadowed by those other awards that everybody else was opining about ad infinitum (ad nauseum).

What are the Chesley Awards? These are awards given out by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. The ASFA is, according to their mission statement: “…organized for artistic, literary, educational and charitable purposes concerning the visual arts of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology and related topics. We are dedicated to providing a communications link among our members, as well as providing helpful information and technical assistance. ASFA’s purpose is to encourage and help develop amateur artistic talent, support the efforts and needs of working artists, educate the public, connect with and encourage publishers, patrons of the arts and anyone interested in works of the genre. We are also here to stimulate the public’s interest in these areas of art.”

The ASFA gives out the Chesley Awards, which were established in 1985 as ASFA’s peer awards to recognize individual works and achievements not otherwise recognized by the Hugo Awards (or other literary & art awards), during a given year. The Chesleys were initially called the ASFA Awards, but were renamed a year after their conception to honor famed astronomical artist Chesley Bonestell after his death in 1986. The awards are usually presented annually at the World Science Fiction Convention and sometimes at the North American Science Fiction Convention when the Worldcon is held outside of North America. 2015 is the 30th anniversary of the Chesley Awards.

This year the Chesleys were handed out at a ceremony at Sasquan, the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention in Spokane, on August 20th.

The winners are:

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Best Cover Illustration / Hardcover
: Julie Dillon, Shadows Beneath: The Writing Excuses Anthology

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Best Cover Illustration – Paperback: Raoul Vitale, Nebula Awards Showcase 2014

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Best Cover Illustration – Magazine: Julie Dillon, Analog, April 2014

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Best Interior Illustration: Anna Balbusso and Elena Balbusso, “Ekaterina and the Firebird”

Best Color Work – Unpublished
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Best Color Work – Unpublished: Michael C. Hayes, Alegretto oils

Best Monochrome Work – Unpublished

Best Monochrome Work – Unpublished: 
Allen Williams, “Sphynx” graphite

Best Three-Dimensional Art


Best Three-Dimensional Art: Dan Chudzinski, The Mudpuppy, resin & mixed media

Best Gaming Related Illustration

Best Gaming Related Illustration: Peter Mohrbacher, Pharika, God of Affliction Magic card, Journey into Nyx

Best Product Illustration

Best Product Illustration: 
Donato Giancola, George R.R. Martin Song of Ice and Fire 2015 calendar

Irene Gallo

Best Art Director: Irene Gallo, Tor & Tor.com

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Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award: John Harris

The Chesleys almost went unnoticed this year because there was little to no controvery surrounding them, which is a shame because the winners are all amazingly talented and the awards this year were all well deserved.

Congratulations to all!

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