EXHIBITION THEME
Dragons have captivated the human imagination for centuries, appearing in myths, art, and storytelling across cultures worldwide. From the wise and benevolent serpentine dragons of East Asia, to the fierce and fire-breathing beasts of European folklore, to the crafty feathered serpents of Mesoamerica, dragons take countless forms: guardians, monsters, deities, companions, and symbols of magic and power.
This exhibition celebrates dragons as creatures of fantasy, folklore, and wonder. We welcome artwork inspired by mythology, religion, literature, historical art, or original imagination—including, but not limited to, majestic celestial dragons, tiny whimsical drakes, and fearsome wyrms. Let your imagination soar, and bring your own vision of these legendary creatures to life!
Please note: Submissions must focus on dragons as fantastical creatures—no metaphorical representations or real animals with “dragon" in their name. Representational and abstract art are both accepted.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Opens October 2028 at the Quilt Festival Houston, Texas
This exhibition will travel until December 2031
Jeannie Wilshire is the Director of IX Arts, dedicated to the promotion, recognition and elevation of the art of imaginative realism. It is the organization behind the groundbreaking IX symposium and IX Gallery, both dedicated exclusively to contemporary imaginative realism.
She is the co-author and designer of Visions of Never: The Collection of Fantastic Art, The Art of the Dragon: The Definitive Collection of Contemporary Dragon Paintings (2012), as well as the forthcoming History of Imaginative Realism.
She was honored to be a guest curator for AT THE EDGE: Art of the Fantastic, mounted at the Allentown Art Museum, PA, in 2012, as well as the 2016 IX Weekend held at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, DE.
She has been proud to regularly serve on juries and panels for a range of art competitions, including the Art Renewal Center’s annual Salon and the Infected by Art juried annual.
Patrick Wilshire is the Director of the Eidolon Museum of Fantasy and Imaginative Art. The Eidolon is the home of The Koder Collection - the world’s largest archive of original Dungeons & Dragons art, product, and ephemera - and a nexus for the appreciation and study of imaginative realism in art, as well as its role in fantasy, gaming, and popular culture.
He is the co-author of Visions of Never: The Collection of Fantastic Art, The Art of the Dragon: The Definitive Collection of Contemporary Dragon Paintings, as well as the forthcoming History of Imaginative Realism.
He has served as a guest curator and imaginative art consultant for museums in both North America and Asia as well as filling the role of “Art Historian” for the documentary film Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons & Dragons.
He has been proud to regularly serve on juries and panels for a range of art competitions, including the Art Renewal Center’s annual Salon, the Infected by Art juried annual, and the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize.
