"Anybody here have any Sci-Fi Con Art Show experience?" Topic

Over the weekend at Historicon a TMP buddy was explaining that he was looking for new venues to promote and sell his very, very cool fantasy and sci-fi artwork and I suggested he might consider trying the art shows at various of the larger sci-fi and media conventions. I'm really only familiar with the northeast con circuit, Balticon, Phillcon, Boscon, etc., but it seems like the more profession artists at these shows do pretty well sales and commissions wise. Is anybody here actually involved with the con art-show biz, either as a coordinator or an artist who could lay out the ins and outs of Convention Art Show Moguling?

Thanks!

I am not currently doing the circuit, but I did do it back in '95 and '96. I took my art as well as representing someone else to the various shows, and also did demos of the game related project for the art featured by me and the other artist. (no, not MTG)
At that time a few, a very few, did quite well by patching together print sales, illustration work, commissions and the occasional original piece. Also, almost every artist was a half of a couple, and the "other half" had a steady job to cover the month to month of the household to allow the other to do the art thing. The big glut of work during the MTG high allowed several artists to fund a steady client base. Without that area of income generation and virtually free exposure to a wide audience, it would be much more difficult.

Back in the early 90s I took one piece to a con and sold it. I am, however, considering doing a few again at the local anime conventions.

If your friend attempts it, he does need to have someone "on the ground" at the locations, and be prepared to work with the directors of the art shows (consider donating one print to the con as a prize or promotion -- they love that sort of stuff).

Origins has a great Art Show area every year, get in touch with the folks at GAMA. originsgames.com

Thanks guys! I will pass all of this info along.

Mark

SF conventions usually have very good art shows. In the 80's/early 90's my hubby and I both sold and bought at WisCon and WindyCon. Some of these regional SF cons even allow mail in art still, I believe.

I forgot to mention the importance of mailing to cons. Good point, PM. With travel costs as they are, this is an important extra income producer. It has down-sides, as contacts in person, as well as safe shipping. It is a good follow-up strategy for a con attended previously, or just too far off the radar. Safe shipping is one I never fixed completely. I expected to be re-matting many prints that returned from shows. The volunteers usually did a good job re-packing, but all the bumps along the way smashed corners and dented mats. Most important though, is personal contact. You can't get that via the post.