Universal, Tongal Launch' Monsters' Art Initiative

The contest will expand and enhance the artist conversation around the Universal Monsters.

February 13, 2021

Honoring the milestone anniversaries of some of film's most legendary characters, Universal Pictures and Tongal have launched the "Universal Monsters: Out of the Shadows" Art Initiative on Tongal's content creation platform to expand and enhance the artist conversation around the Universal Monsters.

Open until Mar. 4; the initiative aims to discover artists (open to U.S. residents only) to create an original character inspired by Universal's classic cast of Monsters, including Dracula, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Invisible Man. The winning artist will receive $10,000 and have their art recognized by a panel of filmmakers and industry creatives.

In celebration of this art initiative, Universal Monsters revealed a collaboration with three of the judges – Afua Richardson, Matt Taylor and Yuko Shimizu – for reimagined artwork of Classic Monsters celebrating their iconic anniversaries

in 2021: "Dracula'" s 90th (Richardson), "Frankenstein" 's 90th (Taylor) and "The Wolfman: 's 80th (Shimizu). This artwork, which serves as inspiration for the "Out of the Shadows" initiative, will be featured across consumer products launching later this year.

Judges on the panel include filmmakers and industry creatives like Robert Kirkman, Andy and Bárbara Muschietti, Crash McCreery, Tristan Eaton and more.

"The artwork from Afua, Matt and Yuko – in addition to the 'Out of the Shadows' initiative – spotlight artists who have a passion for creating memorable characters and artwork that inspire filmmakers and storytellers," says Holly Goline, film executive, Universal Monsters, Universal Pictures. "We are seeking creatives who are drawn to the narrative that the Universal Monsters are the original outsiders, misfits and misunderstood."

Winners will be announced on Mar. 29.