The LightBox Expo Online virtual art festival returns in September

The LightBox Expo Online virtual art festival returns in September

Famous character designer and illustrator Bobby Chiu (who worked on Tim Burton's film Alice in Wonderland) and Emerald City Comic Con founder Jim Demonakos are preparing the LightBox Expo online (LBXO), a unique international virtual art event, which in this edition is extended by six days! The event, which includes the 2021 Concept Art Awards, will be held on www.lightboxexpo.com from Tuesday 7 September to Sunday 12 September.

LightBox Expo Online will present over 400 guests e more than 200 presentations in a multifaceted experience for everyone, from aspiring artists and students, to professionals and enthusiasts, with a focus on animation, illustration and concept art. Guests featured in the broad range of programs represent a mix of talent, including the Oscar winner Domee shi (Director of Beam), Phil Boutte Jr. (creator of the Black Panther costumes), Maggie Kang (Director of  K-Pop: Demon Hunters), Derek Thompson (artist of history, Toy Story 4), Armand Serrano (background designer,  What If...?), Jill Culton (Director of Abominable - the little Yeti), Carlos Grangel (character designer of Tim Burton's film The Corpse Bride) and hundreds of others.

“LightBox Expo Online 2020 has been a fantastic art weekend during a busy year,” said LBX Creative Director Bobby Chiu. "We're back this year with an even bigger, better, and broader event, encompassing nearly a full week of programming and activities."

On Saturday, September 11th at 18pm PST, LBXO will present the third annual Conceptual art awards, hosted by Aldis Hodge and Kristina Arielle (Star Wars: The High Republic). The Concept Art Awards are produced by The Concept Art Association, an organization that focuses on elevating and raising the profile of concept artists, and remains the only award of its kind to recognize and bring greater awareness to the role of concept artist around the world of entertainment.

During the event, the artists will be awarded for their artistic excellence in the Professional categories of Live-Action for Film and Series, Animation for Film and Series, Games, VR; and then Original Concepts / Independent, Student Work and Fan Art. Art has been presented by projects such as: Soul, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Raya and the Last Dragon, Lovecraft Country, Mulan, WandaVision, Cyberpunk 2077, Loki, World of Warcraft and many others. You can view the 2021 finalists on www.conceptartassociation.com.

This year i Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented by Craig Mullins, a renowned concept designer whom many call "The Godfather of Digital Painting" (Armageddon, Bioshock 2, Alone), and legendary prolific artist and Renaissance man, to Iain McCaig (Star Wars prequel trilogy, Avengers: Endgame). These Pioneers have not only brought the world of concept art forward, but are still actively working in the industry and leading the next generation of artists. The LBX Concept Art Luminary Award, celebrates the person from the concept art community who has made an impact with his artwork over the past year, will be presented at Andy Park for his beautiful work on WandaVision e Black Widow.

“Each year, the Concept Art Awards are a highlight of Light Box Expo,” said Convention Director Jim Demonakos. “We are thrilled to be able to present LBXO and the Concept Art Awards again while we are still aware of the ongoing pandemic. We are particularly happy to be able to bring people from all over the world who would not necessarily be able to travel to California to create a memorable weekend celebrating the art".

Bringing the world in one place is key to LBXO, so using browser-based technology, attendees can browse in a 3D virtual living room with over 300 artists Worldwide. Participants come from Belgium, Chile, Ireland, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Germany, Poland, Japan, Australia, Iran, Peru, Russia, Kuwait, France, Taiwan, New Zealand, Jamaica, United States and many other countries.

Eliza Ivanova Shirt | LBXO

Registration for LightBox Expo Online starts on August 16th and is open to anyone with an internet connection anywhere in the world! There are four tiers for attendees to choose from: a $ 2 minimum grants access to the entire weekend, while the highest tier, $ 45, includes a t-shirt by award-winning animator Eliza Ivanova, as well as a -type enamel pin, plus a digital gift bag and more.

The Concept Art Association was founded by creative recruiter Rachel Meinerding and BRIC Foundation producer and co-founder Nicole Hendrix. Sponsors for the 2021 Concept Art Awards presented by LightBox Expo include Artstation, Adobe, Wacom, Legacy Effects, Costume Designers Guild Local 892, The Animation Guild Local 839, Art Directors Guild Local 800, College for Creative Studies, ImagineFX Magazine, Gnomon School by VFX + Animation, Schoolism, ArtCenter College of Design and more.

www.lightboxexpo.com

Go to the source of the article on www.animationmagazine.net