Like ARC, IGOR was founded with promoting contemporary artists who paint realistically using traditional painting techniques. It was founded in 2002 by professional artists from around the globe with four goals in mind:

• 1. Recognizing the best realists working today
• 2. Creating exhibition opportunities
• 3. Providing technical and promotional support
• 4. To offer a bridge between art collectors and the highest quality realist art, created by their members

To this end, The International Guild of Realism's mission is to advance realism in fine art through museum exhibitions, art gallery shows, workshops, education programs, marketing support and Internet exposure. The art accepted into their group ranges from classical realism (based upon the traditional, academic-style painting techniques) to contemporary realism (where cutting edge realism and subject matter are used to comment on today's world).

Trompe l'oeil, photorealism, surrealism, and super-realism are some of the genres included within the range of realism choices for artists of the modern day.

The International Guild of Realism currently represents around 390 artists hailing from 35 countries around the world.

To help facilitate their goals, IGOR holds an annual juried international exhibition for their members. This year it will be held at Sugarman-Peterson Gallery 130 W. Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM. 87501.

Exhibition Dates: October 5 - 29, 2018.