Art Show Space Reservation Questions

April 30

None!

2' wide x 4' high
(60 cm wide x 120 cm high)
Please note that our panel units are smaller than those of many other cons. This is to avoid dealing with fractional spaces.

Decide how much space you'll need for your artwork (there's a handy diagram on the back of the reservation form), and fill in the blanks. Read over the rules and other information, sign the form and mail it to the address on the form. (Please note that this is a different address than that used for registering for a membership.)

It'll help! This explains all about how the Art Show works and answers many questions you're likely to have. It's got pictures!

If all goes well, at some point we must send you a piece of paper -- your sales payment check. It's better to find out now that there's a mistake in your address, so we can fix it now and your check won't be delayed later.

Online payment services such as PayPal have expensive fees for commercial users, since we are a corporation. But we've already paid for a bank account and checks.

Please don't, actually that's a waste of money! First class mail is adequate -- the postmark date determines whether you've met the deadline -- express delivery will not make a difference.

In fact, using an express service (or certified mail, or requesting a return receipt) can delay the receipt of your reservation: if I pick up the mail from the Post Office box at a time when the counter isn't open to sign for such items, I'll have to return for those items later, which I probably won't have time to do for several days.

If you're mailing from outside the usa, please use Air Mail Letter Post.

If you missed the deadline, mail your reservation as soon as you can. We do have a lot more space in the convention center, and you can't get any if you don't ask!

We don't have a jury for the Art Show; we'll accept anyone who has their reservation in on time.

Your artwork must be protected in some way because, if it goes to auction, crew members must remove it from the panel and transport it to the auction room, and show it to bidders during the auction. Matting is preferred. If you're really on a budget, you can use portfolio page protectors. Please do not use glass-faced frames! We allowed this on a trial basis in the past, but had several instances of breakage.

We'll gladly try to accommodate such requests; please tell us what you want in the "Comments" area of the reservation form. However, we can't guarantee we'll succeed. As the Art Show fills up, it's possible the only available space would make it impossible.

There's no rule that requires you to pack your (single) space, although it's not fair to others for you to book 3 whole panels to display only 3 small items.

That's fine! If your friend will want us to send them a separate payment check, we'll need a separate reservation for them, so make sure they request the info packet or download one from the Art Show section of the Anthrocon web site. Then, both of you fill out the reservations and in the "Comments" area of each, explain that you want to share the same space assignment with the other. If possible, send both reservations back in the same envelope.

If the other artist doesn't make a reservation of their own, you'll need a letter from them stating you have permission to show and sell their artwork. If anything of theirs sells, the payment will be included in your check, so you'll be responsible for forwarding their share.

We can't allow that. People must be able to see exactly what they're bidding on, not a photo of it -- that's part of the attraction of going to a convention, otherwise they might just as well use eBay or FurBid. There's also the logistical problem of getting the actual item to them when they come to pick it up.

Fan art of popular characters may be entered in the Art Show only if you don't sell it. If you want to make money off of someone else's characters, you need permission (a license). Artwork done in the "style" of someone else's milieu is usually ok, as long as it's not a direct rendition of a copyrighted or trademarked character or scene. If it meets the tests for a parody (detailed in the Art Show rules), it's usually ok. However, in the face of objections from rightsholders or their representatives, the Art Show Director retains the right to remove any disputed piece from display, or set it "not for sale."

We do allow collaborations, but you have to make a significant artistic contribution to the finished piece. For example, if you're just pasting another artist's print onto a clock face from a kit, that's not enough. If you're using another artist's design to paint or woodburn a clock face, that's allowable.

As our convention has grown, dealing with mail-in artwork has demanded more and more staff time that we feel should be directed to meeting the needs of attending artists, who have invested a considerable amount of time and expense to be present at the con.

Unfortunately, we're not in a position to make recommendations. The thing is, the person has to be absolutely trustworthy -- you're sending them your valuable artwork, after all, and it would be all too easy for a dishonest person to claim they never received it. Even if they are honest, they do have to follow through with the responsibility of hanging the artwork, completing the paperwork, then picking up any unsold art after the con and shipping it back to you.

The best approach would be to ask (online or at furmeets or conventions) for people who'd be willing to represent you. You should get to know them well enough that you can trust them with your artwork.

Not right away, but we will need to know before the convention who your agent is so that we know they are authorized to have your artwork and represent you. You can tell us after sending in your reservation if you haven't made the arrangements yet, or if your plans change later, contact us with the updated information.

No, only single copies of prints are allowed in the Art Show, and must be clearly marked as such on the bid sheet. If you wish to sell multiple copies of prints, you may get a table in Artist Alley, or contact a distributor, who would sell your work year-round instead of only at the con.