Located next to the dealer room, our gallery-format 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!
HOURS
Viewing/Bidding:
Fri – TBA
Sat – 10 am – 5 pm
Buyer Pickup:
Sat evening: after the auction by appointment only
Sun – 10 am – 2 pm
CONTENT
Capricon is an all-ages event. If you have adult themes in your art (gore, nudity, &/or sexual themes) or any questions about our subject/genre expectations, please contact the Art Show lead prior to the convention at artshow@capricon.org. Capricon allows transformative work (“fanart”) provided that there is a significant element of ‘transformation’ to the work (e.g. simple traces/paintovers/photoshopping are not permitted); this will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Art Show staff.
ART SHOW INFORMATION
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 the 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/pre-arrangement only. All bids are binding, and all sales are final.
BIDDING ASSISTANCE
Bidding assistance is available at all times during Art Show open hours. Please ask an art show staff member for any assistance you may need to bid on items.
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’).
VOLUNTEERING/STAFFING
We welcome volunteer staffers, and encourage artists to participate in related programming events. If you have any proposals, input, or interest in participating or volunteering, please contact artshow@capricon.org.
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.
ARTIST INFO
To see our general policies for exhibiting in the art show (including info about space, costs, and content), please click here.
We are now accepting online applications for space reservation and mail-in art until January 15, 2025. 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 Artist Portal to apply for space. As this portal is new for Capricon 45, you will need to make a new account. You do not need to buy a badge in order to exhibit with us, but you will need one if you wish to attend the convention.
HOURS FOR ARTISTS
Artists & Staff Only:
Fri – TBA
Sunday- 2 pm – 4 pm (artist pickup)
If you (or your agent) need alternate set-up or pick-up times, please let us know ASAP.
AWARDS AND ARTIST 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 items: a flag, a sci-fi/fantasy franchise symbol, a book, a board game, or a fantasy/sci fi creature
Any questions about the art show not answered here can be sent to artshow@capricon.org.