Art's first NPC (National Physique Committee) competition came in 2000, where he placed 1st place in the super-heavyweight class of the Junior USA. His professional bodybuilding debut was the 2001 Toronto Pro where he took 1st place. His first IFBB Mr. Olympia came in 2002, where he placed 12th. After other various competitions he competed in the IFBB Night of Champions tournament of 2003, where he placed 7th. His first Arnold Classic was in 2005, where he placed 14th.
