IX - A Premier Event for Sorcery Art Collectors

November 14, 2025

"The Wild Hunt". Ralph Horsely

An Event for Sorcerers

For the readers of The Painted Realm, IX is first an unequalled opportunity to get a first look at Sorcery art, in person, and while enjoying the company of the artists that created it. Several pieces have been revealed at IX and nearly a dozen pieces from Gothic were on hand this year, as well as icons from Arthurian Legends.

Six Sorcery artists were on hand for IX 2025. A surprise seventh, Ralph Horsely, also outed himself as a future contributor to the art of the game. Ralph has done about 100 works for Magic the Gathering, among many others. Of late, he has done some really spectacular large scenes - The Wild Hunt last year and, this year Freeport, a massive cityscape that has so many characters and stories unfolding on it. Ralph's narrative city tour to my wife and I on opening night was a highlight of the show.

Art icon Boris Vallejo still attends IX. Growing up, my father's collection of science fiction novels were largely graced with his work and that of Frank Frazetta. You likely know the promo Amazon Warriors that bears his work. At this point Boris is mostly present to meet and greet, though he does display work co-created with his talented spouse, Julie Bell. Attending is a chance to meet a true legend of the genre.

With the Main Show running from the preview Wednesday evening - the best time to snag sought-after works first - and then all day Thursday-Sunday, there is lots of time to spend with the artists. Most are delighted to discuss their work and answer questions. I always try to get out of the way if artists have an interested customer, but still had a chance to sit down uninterrupted with Alan and Drew to discuss things we have cooking.

The Show

IX is much more than an art show with a few Sorcery artists - it's a celebration of imaginative realism in many forms. You'll find traditional fantasy, science fiction, dark-fantasy/horror, and work that defies easy classification. To the delight of collectors, the juried Main Show and it's 90+ artists are focused on the physical medium, whether it's oil, watercolor, acrylic, sculptural, or even bead-work (in the case of Winona Nelson's works inspired by her Native American heritage). For appreciators who aren't ready to invest in a large original, there are numerous smaller works, prints, books, artist proofs and even miniatures.

The art and artists sprawl across three floors of the Goggleworks, a repurposed mill building in Reading, Pennsylvania. Normally a haven for craft and art, the Goggleworks is a quirky and characterful setting for the show with a large cafe and even a theater ideal for hosting the show's presentations and performances.

Friday and Saturday nights IX moves to the banquet hall of the nearby Doubletree Inn for the Showcase. Another 130+ artists fill the hall with their wares while fans and artists from the Main Show enjoy the works, live jazz, and the cocktail bar. On Saturday, being so close to Halloween, many come in costume. It's as much party and gala as show. While the Showcase is not juried, you'll find excellent work and it often features established artists who didn't want to attend the full show. This year, Margaret, Jeff, and Bryon all showed in the Showcase.

Jeff Menges (left) and Bryon Wackwitz (right). 

Perhaps my favorite part of the Showcase is seeing new artists. Many of the talented Main Show artists began in the Showcase and it's the best place to see what new talent in the genre is doing and perhaps snag a piece from an artist who later makes the big-time. Here are two that came home with us.

"Beneath the Surface" by Kat L. Amsel (left) and "Something Strange in the Attic" by Dillon Samuelson (right).

The Siren's Call

I've always loved art, but mostly started collecting Magic: the Gathering Art - and there's plenty of that at IX (Sara Finnegan, Donato Giancolo and Rob Alexander, to name a few). What you'll likely discover is that no game has a lock on great art, and there are numerous other talents competing for your attention and appreciation. We definitely have some favorites outside of Sorcery and Magic. A few of these I'd love to see doing Sorcery art and others I'd like to see continue to develop their own unique projects. I mention three as examples.

Jon Sideriadis (www.astromythos.com) - Jon's work has it's own unique feel, while being deeply rooted in classic fantasy. I love his use of illustrated manuscripts, subdued color palettes and mythic themes. This year he showed an epic collaboration with a metalworker.

Kaysha Siemens (www.kayshasiemens.com) - I find Kaysha's figurative works, especially from Greek mythology, and her egg tempura sky-scapes particualry compelling. I can imagine her work in a Sorcery set with classical Greek/Roman themes.

Amelia Leonards (www.amelialeonards.com) - Amelia paints in watercolor with a particular focus on goddesses and the fae. She mixes in darker elements - skulls and horns abound. In some ways, she is already in Sorcery art as she's done a playmat and tokens for my friends at Cardboard Guide.

In summary, come for the Sorcery art, and be ready to be amazed and entertained by not only that, but by all the top talent of the imaginative realism genre!

TG has been collecting fantasy art for more than a decade and has amassed an amazing collection which he proudly shares with the community. He opens up his home to Sorcery events for his friends and locals and even throws weekend experiences like last year’s Battle of Elverson Fields, which he is hosting again in 2026. Always friendly with artists and supporting their works and efforts he also sponsors artists with the Finley's View Farm Artist Residency. A positive force in the world of Sorcery and fantasy art more broadly, it's always great to hear from those that can travel to these events when many of us are 1,000’s of miles away. Thanks TG, The Painted Realm.