CANTON, OH.- Dream Worlds: The Art of Imaginative Realism assembles award-winning artists from around the country who play a pivotal role in the art of cinema, television, set design, 3D animation, gaming, and costume design—pushing the boundaries of contemporary realism through the guise of surrealism. The exhibition is on view through March 12, 2017.

Many of the works on display have a fundamental component of both the fine art world and the commercial art industry. This exhibition is certain to entertain and educate all ages with a journey through the art of imaginative realism —a journey that may inspire viewers to explore their own creativity and storytelling ability through art. Dream Worlds is produced with Canton Museum of Art guest-curator and Canton native, Chris Seaman, an award-winning artist-illustrator. Imaginative Realism takes viewers on fantastic journeys through art, creating captivating stories of the past, present, and future – of what might have been, what might be, or what may yet come.

Renowned artist/illustrator/author James Gurney (Dinotopia, National Geographic, How to Paint What Doesn’t Exist) defines “Imaginative Realism” as the realistic depiction of something that one can only imagine. It is the blending of observation in life and the imagination that allows artists to clearly express fantastical worlds, using techniques ranging from classical painting, illustration, and sculpting to photography and cutting-edge graphic manipulation. As a fine art movement across the world, rooted in late 18th century imaginative elements in European art movements and visions of contemporary realist art, Imaginative Realism must be experienced up close and in person to fully appreciate the aesthetics and engage with stories in each work of art.

The artistic movement of Imaginative Realism has a hold on almost all facets of our entertainment and continues to grow. Working artists/illustrators are now at the pinnacle of pop culture with record-breaking results, and the Imaginative Realism genre as a movement in a fine art is expanding exponentially. The visual storyteller has had a crucial role in American society and culture for the last 100 years, capturing worlds old and new, redefining past and present, and visualizing what may exist just out of sight.

The exhibition features over 65 works of art by over 20 artists - including Aaron Miller, Ania Mohrbacher, Christopher Burdett, Craig Maher, Dan Chudzinski, Donato Giancola, Elisabeth Alba, Eric Wilkerson, and more.