MarsCon 2003 is over! Please visit our MarsCon 2004 pages.

MarsCon Art Show 2003

MarsCon is a science fiction/fantasy convention, and will be showing multiple-genre science fiction/fantasy oriented work.

Art Show Orientation
For those of you who haven't done the art show before, we'd like to have an orientation session at the hotel. If you're interested, you can find us at the Holiday Inn Select at 3:30 p.m. on February 23. That's the Sunday before the convention. Nora will be giving a basic outline of the mechanics of working the art show and you can even put in your bid for scheduled times.

If you can't make the 23rd, we'll also have a quick session before the show opens on Friday, February 28.

FYI for returning volunteers - We haven't changed procedures, just location. If you've worked with us before, it should be like falling off a log.

There's still time to participate!
If you didn't participate in MarsCon 2002 but plan to in 2003, you must request an art show packet.

To request an Art Show packet, send SASE to:

Kristy Effinger
1969 Banyan Street
Arden Hills, MN 55112

or send an e-mail request to artshow@marscon.org

Another New display Room?
This year our annual hotel relocation (ha) has brought us to the Holiday Inn Select in Bloomington, Minnesota. Aside from being even closer to the Sprall ... that is the MALL of America than the Airport Hilton, we're in a more user-friendly room than last year.

Four words: VOL...UN...TEER...PLEASE
Interested in volunteering? How about just getting discounted fees? It's been an unwritten rule in the past, but this year I'm making a point asking-any artist who helps set up the room gets discounted fees. Doesn't matter if you help set up five panels or 50.

As for the day-to-day action, we don't need much. Kristy Effinger and I will be in the room the majority of the time, along with our intrepid staff, but even intrepid staff needs a break to peruse the dealer's room, right? We talked about an absurd number of 90 volunteers last year (what was I thinking). This year, we'll take whomever we can get. You can even choose what you want to do. If you just want to work the claim check-great! Comfortable with sales? Fabulous! Want to play security and talk art while making sure nobody touches anything? That's good too. The art show is supposed to be fun and we're doing our darnedest to keep it that way.

Bottom line? Please Volunteer. The gratitude you will receive will be nothing less than eternal.

Programming

John Garner, Artist Extraordinaire!
Minneapolis artist John Garner will be displaying original works in the show and participating in art-oriented programming during the convention. Watch future programming updates for details.

Art Tour: Friday evening, February 28
Kristy Effinger is heading up the Art Tour again this year. If you have a paragraph of information on you and your creative process, please send it to us, otherwise a questionnaire is on its way.

Art Swap, Saturday, March 1
Can't remember why you bought that piece over your sofa? Here's your chance to trade it for something new and maybe even better!

Art Auction, Saturday evening, March 1
Our three-bid auction format was an unprecedented MarsCon success in 2002 so we're doing it again. Join us to take part in this time-honored tradition. We do have a need for runners to show the pieces during the open bidding. All runners can wear their costume of choice!

More to come!
If you have a programming idea, or would like to submit artwork for use in MarsCon Media, don't be shy!

MarsCon Art Show Schedule

MarsCon Art Show Guidelines

Contact Information: e-mail: artshow@marscon.com
Nora Leverson, Coordinator 763.525.8639
Kristy Effinger, Co-Coordinator 651.633.7263

General Information

	The whim of the Art Show coordinator 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 metal frame display panels, clips and hooks, and tables provided by the hotel.
	Set up for the display space and print shop will begin on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. and continue through Friday, February 28 until completion.
	Any Artists who help set up the Art Show and Print Shop will receive preferred space in the show and discounted hanging fees.
	MarsCon does not accept second party artwork (art not created by the current owner).
	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 at either at Minimum Bid or Quick Sale price.

Display Information

	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 1).
	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. 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 or a name card may be placed with your 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.

2003 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 coordinator.
	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 Coordinators.
	Art sold by Quick Sale may be removed at the discretion of the purchaser, with the assistance of the Art Show staff.

Mail-In Art

	Please send all mail-in art to:	Kristy Effinger, Art Show Co-Coordinator 1969 Banyan Street, Arden Hills, MN 55112
	Mail-in art is accepted at the expense of the artist.
	Hanging Fees for Mail-in art are $1.00 per piece. This includes safe storage at the Art Show Co-Coordinator's home, transportation to the convention, hanging and removal of display artwork.
	Mail-In Art Deadline: All art should be received no later than February 27.
	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. Artists should indicate whether the empty container is to be returned.
	All unsold artwork will be returned to the artist within three 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 8:00 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 following the Masquerade or at 9:30 p.m., whichever comes first.
	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 Coordinator.
	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 Coordinators 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, 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 2003
"No one here is exactly what he appears"
February 28 - March 2, 2003
Holiday Inn Select
I-494 & 34th Avenue South
Bloomington, MN

MarsCon 2003 home page
Historic pages: 2002 -- 2001 -- 2000 -- 1999
Words from the Pres of FenSF

© 2002-2003 FenSF

This page last revised January 12, 2006 at 01:47 PM