Artists

We love artists at CONvergence, and there are several ways for artists to get involved! Submit your art to the CONvergence Art Show, apply for a table in Artists Alley, or create art for official CONvergence publications!

Art Show & Auction

Here is some basic information on the CONvergence Art Show:

• Gallery Space: There is hanging space on grid-wall panels, as well as table space for pieces that do not hang very well. Floor space can also be made available by special request. Display space is available on a first-come, first-placed basis. Art does not have to be for sale to be displayed in the gallery, but it is encouraged.
• Auction Format: The Art Show silent auction runs from the opening of Art Show on the Thursday of the convention to Saturday Evening. Bidding closes when a piece has four bids and the piece is sold at the Art Auction on Saturday night. Any item with between one and three bids at the close of the Art Show on Saturday is considered sold in the silent auction.
• Quick Sale: On Friday and Saturday, members may buy pieces with no bids on them at the Quick Sale price. This is a Buy-It-Now that short circuits the bidding process and sells the item at that point. This is only available if the piece does not have any bids on it already. If a Quick Sale price is not specified, a piece is not available for quick sale.
• Sunday Sale: Any pieces that are not sold prior to Sunday can optionally be available for sale at a fixed price.
• Art Market: Any type of artwork may be sold in the CONvergence Art Show Art Market. Art Market space is available on a first-come, first-placed basis. You will need to provide your own display rack if you wish to have one.
• Mail-In: We do accept artwork mailed in from artists who are unable to bring it to us in person, such as artists from out of state.

Submissions for the 2024 CONvergence Art Show are now open. Below you will find links to the guidelines and artist resource, as well as the forms that you will need to fill out when submitting art. The forms are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats. There is also the option to submit the information online.

Completing these forms is necessary to reserve space in the show. We need to know who you are and what you are bringing. Having this information ahead of time allows us to be prepared for the arrival of your artwork. Payment of fees alone does not reserve space.

This year we will be accepting unregistered artists (walk-in), on a first-come, first-served basis based on available space. Registered artists will have reserved space in the gallery when they arrive. Unregistered artists will be placed in whatever available space remains.

In keeping with convention policy, the Art Show will not be requiring masks this year within the gallery and the auction spaces, but they are strongly recommended. If you would like to participate in the show, but don’t believe you can come setup your art under these conditions, please contact Art Show and we will see if we can make special arrangements.

All bids are “Tax Included”. The taxes will be paid from the commission collected by the art show. The commissions are 15% for Display Art and 20% for Print Shop.

Hours

• Wednesday Noon – 5:00pm (Artist Setup)
• Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm (Artist Setup)
• Thursday 2:00pm – 7:00pm
• Friday 10:00am – 9:00pm (Quick Sales Available)
• Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Saturday 9:00pm – 11:00pm Live Auction in Hyatt 2 Northstar B
• Sunday 11:00am – 03:00pm (Buyer Pickup)
• Sunday 03:00pm – 05:00pm (Artist Pickup)

The CONvergence Art Show adheres to the convention’s AI Art Policy. Artwork that is found to be in violation of the policy will be removed from the show, and the hanging fees will not be returned.

Please contact Art Show if you have any questions or comments.

Artists Alley

Located in the Exhibition Hall of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel, CONvergence Artists Alley is reserved for graphic artists offering commissioned art created on-demand or graphic art that they have produced for sale, such as prints or comic books. Related merchandise featuring the artist’s graphic work such as keychains, stickers, and buttons may also be offered. No jewelry, scarves/ clothing items, or stuffed animals may be sold in Artists Alley.

Apply here to be a part of Artists Alley at CONvergence 2024! The application will be open from July 1st until 11:59pm November 29th, 2023.

Artists Alley Basics

• Vendors and/ or their helpers need to be present each day of the convention.
• Acceptance emails will be sent out to selected Vendors. If possible, a waitlist will be created and used to fill any gaps until the Vendor roster is full. (Due to overwhelming demand, we unfortunately cannot give space to every Vendor who applies for Artists Alley at CONvergence.)
• Upon acceptance into Artists Alley, the Vendor is awarded a table with linen and two chairs.
• A CONvergence membership badge is also needed to be able to participate in Artists Alley. (The membership badge will be available to purchase with the table, otherwise Vendor can purchase membership badge separately through CONvergence Registration.)
• All Vendors and their Helpers MUST have badges to enter the Exhibit Hall at CONvergence. Badges MUST be visible upon entry to the Exhibit Hall. Please be patient with our volunteers managing the door.
• Vendor spaces are arranged in a neat and orderly way within the Exhibit Hall that works best with that year’s selection of Vendors.

Joint Business Applications

• Multiple Vendors CAN share a single space within Artists Alley.
  BUT
• Any businesses intending to share space must submit ONE application—and only one—jointly.
• Put ALL intended sellers in the ‘Primary Contact Person’ and ‘Business Name’ sections.
• Businesses or entities submitting multiple applications will not be considered.

On The Application

• Vendor applications for Artists Alley are accepted only via the online application form. Emails will not be accepted as reservations or applications.
• ALL questions on the application form must be answered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Having exhibited in Artists Alley at CONvergence in the past does not guarantee future participation.
• If you do not submit an application prior to the deadline, you will not be a vendor during the current convention cycle.

Logistics

• All registered Vendors MUST send in or bring along a copy of their MN ST19 Sales Tax form form before setting up their space.
• The Exhibit Hall has a direct street side access door to help you load in your wares for Artists Alley, if needed. With the help of our awesome team of volunteers, we make move in (and move out) a breeze!
• Secure Storage Space: Artists Alley is locked from convention attendees and staff when it is outside of Artists Alley operating hours. You are more than welcome to leave whatever you’d feel comfortable leaving in the Exhibit Hall. CONvergence is not responsible for lost or stolen valuables.

If you have questions about Artists Alley or the Artists Alley application, please contact Artists Alley.

Submit to Publications

We are always happy to receive artwork submissions for our official CONvergence publications! To be considered for print:

• Artwork should be family friendly – “PG” content only, no “R” rated or adult content.
• Artwork is NOT required to feature Connie. There is a whole cast of CONvergence characters to choose from!
• We are especially interested in artwork that ties in to our annual convention theme.
• We prefer artwork that does something clever in its presentation beyond simply being portraiture, or being of the “clip art” variety featuring spaceships and dragons.

CONvergence does NOT pay for artwork, but if we use your art we will credit you as the artist appropriately. DO NOT send original artwork to CONvergence. Contact CONvergence Publications about sending a scan or digital art file.