Of the major art awards that Magic: The Gathering can receive, the Chesleys are some of the oldest, being around since 1985. The other awards are Gold or Silver awards, amongst the major, from Spectrum. These awards, the Chesleys, are conducted by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists, or ASFA, and the award, a Chesley, is named after Chesley Bonestell, the “ father of modern space art.”
Magic has all but one of the Best Gaming Illustration category and works were submitted for any art in 2016. We will find out who won the category this July 6-9, 2017 at NorthAmeriCon.
Magic tends to have a strong showing with Pharika, God of Affliction by Peter Mohrbacher winning the Chesley in 2015. Last year had a clean sweep of the category, with Fruit of the First Tree by Ryan Yee getting the Chesley last year.
Congrats to Ryan, Cliff, Matt and Ryan!
— Mike
Long-Finned Skywhale by Cliff Childs
Digital
Die Young by Ryan Yee
Digital