MarsCon Art Show Guidelines

Contact Information
e-mail: art
Michael Byrne, Director—612-382-8280

General Information

• The whim of the Art Show Director is final.
• MarsCon is a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention, and will be accepting multiple-genre science fiction/fantasy artwork.
• Display space will be created using appropriate display panels, clips and hooks, and tables provided by the hotel.
• Set up for the display space and print shop will begin on Thursday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. and continue through Friday, March 4 until completion.
• MarsCon does not accept second party artwork (art not created by the current owner) The art must be provided by the artist or an authorized agent..
• No electronic or photographic imaging of displayed artwork is allowed. Ever.
• Permission to use characters protected under copyright, when required, is the sole responsibility of the artist. The convention will cooperate with legitimate outside efforts to enforce copyright that do not fall into the category of Public Domain.
• MarsCon is not and never has been an insured art show. Artwork will be handled with utmost care, but artists are responsible for insurance to cover damage during mailing, handling, and display.
• Rating: PG-13 to R. No artwork deemed X-rated by the Art show staff will be hung in the show. We reserve the right to reject any entry.
• There will be a Sunday Sale. Artists will be asked to indicate that their work is available either at Minimum Bid or Quick Sale price.

Display Information

Hanging Fees:	Walk-In Art:	$0.50 per piece
	Mail-In:	$1.00 per piece—please see guidelines listed under Limitations.
	Print Shop:	NONE—please see guidelines listed uner Limitations.

• All artwork must be checked in with the proper paperwork (control sheets and bid sheets) completed by the Artist or designated Agent as indicated. Any artwork submitted without paperwork will not be displayed in the art show.
• Walk in art is accepted from artists or agents, space permitting, until 12:00 p.m. Saturday (March 5).
• Display Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Artists who help set up the Art Show will be awarded first choice of display space and discounted hanging fees. Be prepared to share panels/tables with other artists. Prints hung in the display space will be charged a hanging fee.
  • All flat entries should be matted, mounted or framed and ready for hanging.
  • Table space will be available for 3D entries.
• “Not for sale” (NFS) art may be entered in the Art Show and is subject to the same hanging fees as display art marked for sale.
• Agents: An agent may submit artwork for an artist who is not attending the convention. Agents must comply with the same guidelines as an attending or mail-in artist.
• Signage: Business cards, name cards, or display signage may be placed with the artist's work free of charge.
• Frames, Display pieces: If you have custom display stands or framed artwork and do not wish to sell the stands or frames, you MUST clearly indicate that these items are not for sale.

Limitations

• Due to space limitations, no artist may enter more than 20 pieces in the Art Show display area. It may be necessary to share display space with other artists.
• Once the art is hung, it stays hung until it is sold, goes to voice Auction, or is checked out by the artist, agent or purchaser.
• Art can be checked out early by the purchaser, but only by making express arrangements with the Art Show Director.
• Art not sold at the convention may be picked up on Saturday or Sunday by attending artists or their designated agents if prior arrangements are made with the Art Show Directors.

Mail-In Art

• Please send all mail-in art to:
  MarsCon 2011
  c/o Holiday Inn Select
  3 Appletree Square
  Bloomington, MN 55425
  
• Mail-In Art Deadline: All art should be received no later than Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
• Mail-in art is accepted at the expense of the artist.
• Hanging Fees for Mail-in art are $1.00 per piece.
• Artists sending artwork by mail are required to send hanging fees and sufficient funds to cover return shipment and insurance. All outstanding hanging fees or outstanding postage not supplied by the artist will be deducted from post-commission artist sales.
• All artwork must be received and/or checked in with the proper paperwork (control sheets and bid sheets) completed by the Artist or designated Agent as indicated. Any artwork received without a control sheet will not be hung, but returned to the artist(s) with the hanging fees.
• Mail-in art should be sent in sturdy reusable containers. If all artwork is sold, artists should indicate whether the empty container is to be returned.
• All Mail-in art must be received mounted, matted and ready to display. Any artwork received without the proper display materials will be returned to the artist.
• All unsold artwork will be returned to the artist within two weeks after the convention by U.S. Mail unless otherwise requested by the artist.
• Postage not used in the return of artwork by mail will be included in the artist checks, or used to return empty shipping containers to the artist.

Print Shop

• Hanging Fee: No handling or hanging fee is charged for print shop items.
• Due to space limitations, no more than 10 different art works per artist at 5 copies per artwork may be displayed.
• Each piece in the print shop must be marked with individual prices by the artist. Print shop items are sold by direct sale, not by bids Any artwork received without individual prices will not be included in the print shop.

Auction

• MarsCon is a three-bid art show.
• Silent bidding will take place until the Art Show closes at 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening.
• There will be a voice auction for any pieces that receive up to three bids. The Auction takes place on Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. prior to the Masquerade.
• Any pieces not actively sold at the voice auction will be made available for sale at the Art Show on Sunday morning unless arrangements are made for pick up with the Art Show Director.
• Any pieces not actively sold at the voice auction or sold on Sunday will be returned to the Artist.

Payment

• Commission: MarsCon receives a 10% commission on total sales of art sold through the Art Show, Auction and Print Shop.
• Payment: Checks will be mailed to the artists or their designated agents as indicated within six (6) weeks following the convention. Please clearly indicate on the Control Sheet as to whom the check is to be written.

Security

• When the Art Show is not open, the room will be locked and only the Art Show Directors may obtain access.
• No electronic or photographic imaging of displayed artwork is allowed. Ever.
• ABSOLUTELY no cameras, bags, backpacks, purses, food, drink, smoke, voluminous cloaks, long coats, jackets, canes, carts or such items not necessary for walking or physical transportation, quarter staves, longbows, or other items that may be regarded potentially dangerous toward causing damage to or theft of artwork are permitted in the Art Show display space. A claim check area will be provided.
• MarsCon and Hotel personnel will provide 24-hour security while the Art Show is in session.

MarsCon 2011
March 4-6, 2011
Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Int’l Airport Hotel & Suites
(formerly: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites)
3 Appletree Square
Bloomington, MN

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This page updated 09:57 am April 10, 2015, © 2011 Fans Educational Network for Science Fiction.