The Art of Ralph McQuarrie web site is announcing a Call for Entries to all illustrators, designers and budding artists alike to submit their best, original works to the Art of Ralph McQuarrie International Art Competition. Academy Award winning designer Ralph McQuarrie is best known for his unforgettable work on the Star Wars Trilogy. Entries for the competition will be accepted starting July of 2006 with the final deadline in March of 2007. Winners will be announced in May of 2007 on the official Ralph McQuarrie website. Submission guidelines, prizes, and official rules can be found at www.RalphMcQuarrie.com.

Submissions will be evaluated and judged by our featured judges - Ralph McQuarrie and Doug Chiang. In addition to the his work on the Star Wars Trilogy, Mr. McQuarrie's other films include Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Cocoon, for which he received an Academy Award. As a contemporary to Ralph McQuarrie, Production Designer Doug Chiang continued that excellence on such films as the Star Wars Prequels, Forrest Gump, Polar Express, War of the Worlds and received both an Academy Award and British Academy Award for his work on Death Becomes Her.

"I've received so many requests to evaluate artists portfolio's that I thought this would be a great way to gain exposure for the incredible work that is out there," says Mr. McQuarrie. The contest will accept works in conventional and digital formats.

The Art of Ralph McQuarrie International Art Competition is dedicated to showcasing new and talented graphic artists and designers. If you think you've got what it takes to be an award-winning, cinematic designer, then visit the official website at www.RalphMcQuarrie.com.

Be sure to stop by and also check out the new website design for www.RalphMcQuarrie.com that was recently updated as well!