MarsCon 2002 Art Show

Information, Programming, Schedule, Guidelines

MarsCon 2002 invites you to display your artwork at our convention.

To request an Art Show packet, please send an e-mail to artshow@marscon.org or an SASE to the address listed under Contact Information in the Art Show Guidelines. If you are interested in volunteering to work in the art show, please contact Nora Leverson at 763.525.8639 -- we want YOU!

INFORMATION

To request an Art Show Packet, please send an SASE to:

Kristy Effinger, Art Show Second
1969 Banyan Street
Arden Hills, MN 55112

VOLUNTEERS

Ask anyone who has ever run a science-fiction/fantasy convention what is the one thing needed most, and you'll invariably get the same answer: VOLUNTEERS. Having said that, it won't surprise anyone to know that the MarsCon Art Show is operated entirely by happy, wacky volunteers. A bare minimum of three (that's only 3) volunteers per hour are needed to run the MarsCon Art Show during operating hours, plus a handful or two for set up, tear down and Auction. All totaled, that's a little under 90 volunteers, and remember, all we want from you is an hour of your time. You will receive our eternal gratitude and some pretty cool stuff in return. Please contact the Volunteers department at MarsCon, or the Art Show Coordinator directly to Volunteer for the Art Show or any part of the Convention.

Also, the Art Show is looking for an Auctioneer to spearhead the Voice Auction Saturday night. A good auctioneer needs to be loud, obnoxious, and a tendency toward painfully dry sarcasm is always a plus. We also need Runners to carry the artwork around the auction for viewing by potential bidders. Think QVC combined with the average Milan fashion show and you've got a pretty good idea what a Runner is supposed to do. All Auctioneers and Runners will be asked to wear their costume of choice for this event. The Auction will begin after the Masquerade or at 9:30 p.m., whichever comes first.

ART SHOW PROGRAMMING

Found Art Exhibit: It all started at MarsCon 1999 when the unsuspecting Art show director left the room. Two local artists, Jennifer Cleasby and Pat Theilen, got the ball rolling when she put a chair up on an empty table, and he filled out the bid sheet. After that, all creativity broke loose. Now a MarsCon tradition, this popular audience participation piece will reappear in some similar form at MarsCon 2002.
The Art Committee and Volunteers do ask that no consumables be incorporated, otherwise it's no holds barred.

Young Artist Exhibit: This exhibit is meant to showcase the incredible emerging talents of science fiction / fantasy. Emerging artists of any age are encouraged to display their work in the show this year and will be give special hanging space. The Young Artists are subject to the same guidelines as the professional/amateur artists, and parents are welcome to serve as agents.

Art Tour: Join the artists displaying in the show to tour the artwork. Learn what inspires them and the often quirky stories behind their work.

Art Auction: The voice auction will take place Saturday night at 9:30 or after the Masquerade, whichever comes first. MarsCon is holding a three-bid silent auction in the Art Show this year, so there should be a larger voice auction this year (which wouldn't be that hard).

*All programming items subject to change!*

ART SHOW SCHEDULE

Just to be on the safe side, we're currently planning for a Friday set up until a preferred Thursday night set up can be confirmed, solidified, and even written in blood (0-negative, in case anyone's wondering). Please check back for updates

Thursday	7:00 pm	10:00 pm	Art Show Set up
Friday	8:00 am	2:00 pm	Art Show Set up
	3:00 pm	8:00 pm	Open For Public Viewing
	10:00 am	8:00 pm	Walk-In Artist Check In
	cancelled		Young Artist Hang Out
	9:00 pm	10:00 pm	Art Tour
Saturday	10:00 am	8:00 pm	Open For Public Viewing, Print Shop Open
	10:00 am	12:00 pm	Walk-In Artist Check In, Space Permitting
	9:30 pm	11:00 pm	Art Auction
Sunday	10:00 am	1:00 pm	Art Checkout
	1:00 pm	5:00 pm	Misc. Pack and Take Down
		6:00 pm	Art Show Room Abandoned to Hotel

*All programming items subject to change!*

ART SHOW GUIDELINES

MarsCon is a Science Fiction / Fantasy convention, and will be accepting multiple-genre work.

Contact Information:

Nora Leverson -- 763.525.8639 -- artshow@marscon.org
Kristy Effinger -- 651.633.7263

General Information

• The whim of the Art Show coordinator is final.
• Artists who help set up the Art Show and Print Shop will receive preferred space in the show.
• No cameras, bags, backpacks, purses, food, drink, smoke, voluminous cloaks, coats, jackets, canes or such items not necessary for walking, long swords, quarter staves, longbows, batleths 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.
• 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.
• MarsCon is not 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 X-rated work will be hung in the show. We reserve the right to reject any entry.

Display Information:

Fees:	Walk-In Art:	$0.50 per piece
	Mail-In:	$1.00 per piece
	There is no display fee for print shop art.

• Set up for the Display space will take place on Friday, March 1, at 8:00 a.m.
• 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 walk-in display art.
• 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.
• Walk in art is accepted by artists or agents, space permitting, until 12:00 p.m. Saturday (March 2).
• Agents: An agent may submit artwork for an artist who is not attending the convention.
• 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.
• Second-party artwork (art not created by the current owner) can be displayed for sale in the Art Show, provided 50% of sales are contributed to the Convention charity.

Limitations

• Due to space limitations, no artist may enter more than 20 pieces in the Art Show display area.
• 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 arrangements with the Art Show coordinator.
• Art not sold at the convention may be picked up on Sunday for attending artists or their designated agents.
• Art sold by Quick Sale at the convention 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 Second
1969 Banyan Street
Arden Hills, MN 55112

• Mail-in art is accepted at the expense of the artist.
• Mail-in display art fees are $1.00 per piece. This includes storage space at the Art Show sub-head's home, transportation to the convention, hanging and removal of display artwork.
• All art should be received no later than February 28.
• Artists sending artwork by mail are required to send hanging fees and sufficient funds to cover return shipment and insurance. All outstanding hanging fees will be deducted from artist sales.
• 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.
• 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

• Set up of the print shop will take place Friday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m.
• Due to space limitations, no more than 20 different art works per artist at 5 copies per art work may be displayed.
• No handling or display fee is charged for print shop items.
• Print shop items are sold by direct sale, not by bids, therefore each piece in the print shop must be marked with individual prices by the artist.

Payment

• Commission: MarsCon receives a 10% commission on total sales of art sold through the Art Show, Auction and Print Shop.
• Checks: This year, 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.
• 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 on Saturday evening following the Masquerade or at 9:30, whichever comes first.

Security

• When the Art Show is not open, the room will be locked and only the Art Show coordinator may obtain access.
• MarsCon and Hotel personnel will provide 24-hour security while the Art Show is in session.

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