The Chesley Awards

The Chesley Awards were started in 1985 by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists (ASFA) as a means for the science fiction and fantasy art community to recognize individual works and achievements during the previous year. The awards are named for Chesley Bonestell, the great astronomical artist. As currently constituted, the Chesleys consist of a gold spiral nebula engraved on a black glass plaque along with the name, year, and category of the winner. John Morrison of Cornerstone Glass Works of Dallas, Texas has capably produced the awards for the last few years.

ASFA members make nominations for the Chesleys in the spring of each year. Later in the year a final ballot is mailed to all ASFA members, and the awards are given out at the Worldcon each year. The winners need not be (and often are not) members of ASFA. Past winners have included some of the most notable artists in the field, such as Michael Whelan, Don Maitz, and James Gurney. The current award categories are:

• Best Hardcover Cover
• Best Paperback Cover
• Best Magazine Cover
• Best Interior Illustration
• Best Unpublished Work—Monochrome
• Best Unpublished Work—Color
• Best Three-Dimensional Artwork
• Award for Artistic Achievement (for overall work in a career)
• Award for Contribution to ASFA (usually in the past year)
• Best Art Director

ASFA is open to anyone interested in science fiction and/or fantasy artwork, whether as an artist, editor, collector, or "merely" an appreciative fan. For more information on membership in ASFA, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to ASFA, Post Office Box 151311, Arlington, Texas 76015-7311.