Information for Artists
The Chicon Art Show returns for an 8th time of fantastic artwork from all over the cosmos. The Art Show is open to all attendees for browsing and space in the art show is available to the general public (including people who do not attend the convention) for a small fee plus 10% commission on sales.
You do not need to be a member of Chicon 8 to enter artwork in the Art Show, but you must be a member if you wish to attend the Art Show or the convention.
You can register to hold place using the online registration form or by downloading a pdf and sending it in with a check.
What you need to know about the show
Panels and Tables
Art Show space is available in units of panels or half tables. A panel is 3’ wide by 4’ high, and is made of wire grid. Materials for hanging artwork will be provided by the convention. Table space is approximately 3’ long by 2.5’ deep, half a standard hotel table. Please allow for clearance between pieces and space for their attached bid sheets when reserving your space.
Each unit of Art Show space as described above is $30.00. Reproductions are allowed, but only one of any particular piece may be hung.
There will be a Print Shop. The hanging fee for prints will be charged at $1 per piece (no commission).
Control Sheets
You can download the Art Show control sheet as an editable pdf or an editable Word document.
Expectations of the Art Show Staff
Works judged by the Art Show Staff to have pornographic and/or libelous content in regard to known persons and/or to well known characters will not be accepted. In addition, any copyright issues with well known characters, fictional or not, will be decided by the Director. Fair Use of people or known characters is permitted; copyright infringement is not. The decisions of the Art Show Director in these matters are final.
All artwork and prints must be able to withstand reasonable, careful handling by the Art Show Staff. We want your work to go home with the buyer in perfect condition. Please help us by not sending fragile artwork! If you do send fragile work, then please observe the shipper packing guidelines, and use lots of bubble wrap.
All two-dimensional works must be matted, mounted or framed to aid in hanging. Stick-on plastic hangers on unmatted work are not acceptable. If they are not matted, they must be in a clear envelope of some sort. Pieces of paper will not be hung!
Jewelry should be displayed in the artist’s own display case or cases, and the case placed on a table. Enough table space must be purchased to hold the display case. If you have a lockable case, please give one set of keys to the Art Show Directors, so that we can get to the pieces.
Practicalities
All artwork must be clearly labeled. Please include the title of the piece, your name and address on each piece. This is especially desired for prints.
Artists are responsible for their own insurance. Check your homeowner’s policy; you may have appropriate coverage there. We will take reasonable care of your artwork in the show, but the convention can not acquire the expensive extra insurance for the Art Show.
Once entered in the show, the conditions of sale (minimum bid, not-for-sale, etc.) may not be changed. We will be doing Quick Sale, please price your art accordingly (for example, make the quick sale price twice the minimum, or 20% above minimum bid). Quick sale art will remain on display until Saturday afternoon.
Pieces that receive 6 or more written bids will be sent to the voice auction on Sunday morning (tentative; exact time TBA).
Please note that some official photography will be allowed for the virtual component. Please indicate if this is acceptable or not when registering (the registration form will have a place for this). Regular attendees will not be allowed to do any photography.
Money Matters
Art Show Fees are $30.00 per unit of Art Show. A unit is either a panel or a half table.
Art show fee payment is part of the online registration. Use the online registration form or download a pdf and send it in with a check to register.
A 10% commission will be collected on all sales.
Mail-in artists will be billed a $20.00 non-refundable handling fee.
Payments to artists will be mailed as soon as possible, and not later 30 days after the convention.
Mail-in Artists
Ideally, please include a pre-paid label to ship anything left back to you. If you do this, you won’t need to send any money ($30) for return shipping. Any excess money not used for this purpose will be refunded to you. On the other hand, if more money is needed to return your artwork, it will be deducted from sales.
Please pack your artwork securely. We want your work to get to the show in perfect condition. If the contents of the box shift when it is shaken, please add more packing material, such as crumpled newspapers, etc. This will help prevent damage to the contents, especially to the corners!
We will provide Artists with an address to send their mail-in artwork after registration. Please time your shipment to arrive no later than Sunday August 28, 2022. Packages may be sent by US Mail, UPS, or an overnight delivery service. Please do not require a signature! This will only delay delivery.
Artwork being returned will be shipped within a week after the convention. Please let us know if you have a preferred shipper. The shipments will be insured for the total of the minimum bids of the artwork enclosed, up to $600. Insurance can be waived if you tell us to do so. Payment for artwork sold and a refund of excess shipping money will be made in a separate mailing.
Setup and Schedule
| Sunday, August 28, 2022 | Mail-in artworks must be received by this date to ensure it gets to the convention. |
| Tuesday, August 30, 2022 | Set up Art Show |
| Wednesday, August 31 | Artist check-in and hang art |
| Thursday September 1 to Monday, September 5, 2022 | Art Show (and Chicon 8) is open to convention members |
| Monday, September 5, 2022 | Artist Pick-up |
Contact Information
If there are any questions, please reach out to the Art Show staff.