Cover image: Mox Pearl artist proof by Sarah Finnigan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Magic: The Gathering in Miniature Artist Proof Exhibition to open at Nucleus
Exhibition Dates: January 21, 2023- February 5, 2023
Exhibition Location: Nucleus, Alhambra, CA
November 30, 2022—Gallery Nucleus and Guest Curator Donny Caltrider have announced that Magic: The Gathering in Miniature, the first gallery show of Magic: The Gathering Artist Proofs, will open on January 21, 2023 onsite at Nucleus in Alhambra, CA. The show will run until February 5th, 2023 within the gallery, and for the following year online.
The exhibition will feature more than 150 sketched and painted APs illustrated by more than three dozen past and present Magic artists. The work on display will explore Magic’s past and present, from Planeswalkers to the Power Nine, depicted in all artistic manner, from pencil sketches to detailed inks up to full paintings in oils and acrylics. All pieces on display will be available to purchase with flat pricing based on medium. Pencil works will be $100, ink or non-painted color $200, and fully painted works will be $400.
The current (and growing) artist list can be found online on the event page.
The artist proofs will be displayed using a brand new framing solution from Hit Point Press called the Frameamajig. Frameamajigs allow for cards, housed in standard magnetic one-touch holders, to be hung on the wall with their contents fully interchangeable. Frames have been provided by Hit Point Press at no cost to the artists, and are included with the artist proof purchase. This show will be the first and currently only way to acquire these frames before their worldwide release.
An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 5pm-8pm PST. No RSVP is required and new artwork will be available for display and sale.
Questions can be sent to Donny Caltrider at donald.caltrider at gmail dot com with “MTG AP at Nucleus” in the subject line, or to the gallery at info at gallery nucleus dot com.
Work has already begun arriving at the gallery, and you can see some early previews below!
About Guest Curator Donny Caltrider: Donny Caltrider is a Senior Writer at Hipsters of the Coast, writing about all things related to Magic: The Gathering art and the art market. He functions as agent for more than a dozen MTG artists, handling their original artwork and artist proofs, and is also an independent curator with The Magic Art Show, creating meaning-making experiences using the game as a larger lens for understanding..
About Magic: The Gathering Artist Proofs: Artist Proofs are Magic:The Gathering cards printed with a white back instead of the standard design found on regular cards. They are exclusively issued to the artist of that card, and while some artists only sign their cards, many artists will also draw on the white back to create an original piece of artwork. Their rarity along with their connection to the artist that designed the card make these pieces highly sought after by fans of the game.
About Nucleus: Founded in 2004 by Ben Zhu, Nucleus “has strived to be a welcoming gathering place for the art loving community by offering quality art, art-related goods, and rarities.” They routinely exhibit the work of artists both local and abroad, and under the guidance of curator Nicki France place an emphasis on illustration, animation, and narrative art. They are located in the San Gabriel valley in Alhambra, CA.