It has been proclaimed that figurative artwork has found its way from the periphery back to the center of the art world. We would disagree with this notion that figurative artwork went to the periphery of the art world. The Hilliard Gallery has been a leading voice for over twenty-five years for figurative work, and in the last 15 years by hosting our annual contemporary figurative art show, “The Figure in Contemporary Art.” We maintain that it has always remained at the center or core of the artists and the art world. So, where do we see figurative art being today, and more importantly, what place does the human figure hold in Contemporary Art? This national juried show will continue to explore these questions.