Located next to the dealer room, the art show is a place for attendees to see – and purchase – a wide variety of work from many talented artists. You can find almost anything in the art show, from traditional paintings to photography, digital art, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, and more. Exhibitors here range from established professionals to up-and-coming amateurs, and we will even have space for artists to do demonstrations and take commissions. Everything culminates in the Artist Showdown and the Live Art Auction on Saturday night, so be sure to stop by before it’s too late!
Hours
Viewing/Bidding:
Thu 5 pm – 8 pm
Fri 11am – 9 pm
Sat 10 am – 6 pm
Buyer Pickup:
Sat evening: after the auction by appointment only
Sun 10 am – 2 pm
If you (or your agent) need an alternate pick-up time, please let us know asap.
General Info
The main Auction Gallery area of the art show is run primarily as a written auction. Bid sheets will be attached / in close proximity to the piece, and attendees may bid on the work in writing on these sheets during art show hours.
All first bids on a piece must be at or above the minimum bid on the control sheets; subsequent bids must be greater than previous bids in whole dollar amounts. Should any piece receive three or more qualifying bids, that piece will go to the Live Art Auction on Saturday night, where the highest ‘paper bid’ may or may not be beaten by a ‘live bid.’ Should any piece receive fewer than three bids, the highest bid on that piece prior to close of the art show on Saturday will win.
Pickup of and payment for pieces won in the art show will be on Sunday – we may also open up for payment late on Saturday, by prior appointment/arrangement only. All bids are binding, and all sales are final.
Print Shop
In contrast to the Auction Gallery, art in the Print Shop is available for immediate purchase and removal, and will be priced at a flat rate (as in, there is no ‘bidding’).
Charity
A special section of the art show is set aside for our annual convention charity auction. All proceeds will go to this year’s charity, the Freedom to Read Foundation. We have expanded and clarified our rules regarding charity auction items and estates, and recommend consulting them before making a donation.
Photography
Photography of work on display in the Auction Gallery &/or Print Shop is strictly prohibited, unless both the artist and a member of the art show staff are present and have given their express approval.
Security
Unlike previous years, there will be no bag check at the door. However, we are taking additional measures to ensure the security of artwork, including the presence of security staff. Reasonable suspicion of theft may result in bags being checked.
Artist Info
To see our general policies for exhibiting in the art show (including info about space, costs, and content), please view the Art Policies.
We are now accepting online applications for space reservation and mail-in art until January 1, 2020. It’s unlikely that we’ll have any space remaining after that, but if we do, it will be available to walk-in artists only on a first-come, first-serve basis, so we do recommend reserving space beforehand.
Use the Capricon Registration System to apply for space – if you’ve exhibited with us within the past two years, use your pre-existing login information; if you haven’t, please make a new account. You do not need to buy a badge in order to exhibit with us via mail-in, but you will need one if you wish to attend the convention.
Emerging Artist Program
Are you an artist currently enrolled in high school or college courses? If so, you may be eligible to participate in the Emerging Artist Program, a special section of the Auction Gallery with its own award (see below).
Apply the same way as you would for the regular Art Show, as outlined in the “Policies and Information” document linked above, but make sure to also select the checkbox on the application page that indicates your interest in the EAP. Artists may exhibit no more than 5 pieces in this area of the Auction Gallery, though they may display additional pieces in other sections of the Art Show.
Download and share the flyer for the Emerging Artist Program.
Hours for Artists:
Artists & Staff Only:
Thu 2 pm – 5 pm (setup)
Fri 9 am – 11 am (setup)
Sunday 2 pm – 4 pm (pickup)
If you (or your agent) need alternate set-up or pick-up times, please let us know asap.
Awards & Artists’ Challenge
All convention attendees are welcome to vote until the art show closes on Saturday; winners will be announced and awards given out at the Live Art Auction that evening.
Work in the Auction Gallery (NFS pieces included) may be eligible for the following awards:
- Best in Show
- Best Pro Work
- Best Non-Pro Work (previously “Best Fan Work”)
- Artist’s Challenge Award: goes to special works which incorporate a goat (the convention’s mascot) and three of the following five items: a compass rose, a hibiscus, a solarpunk building, a dark-skinned fantasy heroine, and a tropical color palette.
- Best Emerging Artist Entry: goes to a student who submitted work for inclusion in the Emerging Artist Program, a special section of the art show for art students; this award comes with a $50 prize, courtesy of ASFA, the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists.
Volunteering
We welcome volunteer workers in the art show itself, or artists who wish to participate in programming events. If you volunteer to help the art show or to participate in related programming, you may be eligible for badge reimbursement. If you have any proposals, input, or interest in participating or volunteering, please contact artshow@capricon.org.
If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns about the art show & its policies, please feel free to email artshow@capricon.org