If you are an artist working in representational painting, drawing or sculpture – with a focus on imaginative realism – you are eligible to enter the new Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Imaginative Realism Award. Imaginative Realism combines classical techniques with fantastical, mythological, and postmodern narrative subjects, focusing on unreal creations from our deepest desires or fears, the unseen, and the impossible. It offers visions of worlds that we wish were real, or delves into humanity’s mythic past, its unexplored future, and in some cases, deeper insights into our present.
“Celebrating Imaginative Realism in its traditional art forms is now more important than ever. This genre encapsulates the boundlessness of the human imagination by breathing life into magical beasts, vibrant mythologies, and otherworldly places. In a time when [Generative] AI has unceremoniously pirated the work of these talented artists, it is now critical to honour, support, and protect their true talent and vision.”
– Catherine K. Gyllerstrom
Prizes
As well as global exposure and recognition of their practice to the global arts community, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize Winners of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, Catherine K. Gyllerstrom Imaginative Realism Award will receive:
1st Prize Winner
$3,000 USD cash, generously donated by Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, Collector, Art Consultant, Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books, an independent publishing house that specialises in Illustrated Fantasy, Mythology, and Stories for Young Readers.
A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, USA, alongside 100+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
3 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 2 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
Winning artwork printed in the December 2026 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared on social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
.
2nd Prize Winner
$1,500 USD cash, generously donated by Black Dragon Press. Black Dragon Press is an independent print publisher based in London, UK.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, USA, alongside 100+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
3rd Prize Winner
$500 USD cash, generously donated by Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, Collector, Art Consultant, Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books, an independent publishing house that specialises in Illustrated Fantasy, Mythology, and Stories for Young Readers.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, USA, alongside 100+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
.
Please note: Art created using Ai image generators of any kind will not be accepted. Whether entirely made by Generative Ai, or partly made by Generative Ai – this work is not eligible to enter. Please note that we do have an Ai detection human task force who will be checking shortlisted entries. Anyone found to be using Generative Ai in the creation of their work will forfeit any awards/prizes as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and be banned from entering for five years. Entries submitted which are not eligible will not be refunded.
For more information about what and how to enter please visit read the Entry Criteria. Have more questions? We have you covered, check out the Frequently Asked Questions. Of course, we are also here to help with any inquiries. To speak to one of our team please email us at artprize@beautifulbizarre.net.