Artists Alley

Welcome creators and patrons of the arts! The Artists' Alley is open to artists of all levels to make, share, and sell their work. Whether you are a professional illustrator for a living, or this is your first time showing anyone those drawings you've been hiding in your sketchbook, you are encouraged to join in and get creative!

Please review the updated rules and details below. By participating in the Alley, you agree to adhere to these conditions and uphold the spirit of the Artists' Alley -- a social space for producing and promoting original artwork and its creators.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact artists@motorcityfurrycon.org.

Artist Alley Sign Up Policy:

Artist Alley sign up will be switching over to a digital sign up. Each artist will be able to sign up online via Google Forms with information about themselves and a little bit of their business so we can find the best place for them. We now have two separate rooms, we will have one room reserved for NSFW artists and one room for SFW only so attendees will have the option to remain in an SFW area if they so choose.

Signup link:

Artist Alley SIgn Up

Telegram group for Announcements:
https://t.me/+wp8LPK6F_WkzNzkx

When will sign up be?

As we are moving to a digital format you can sign up right now! Please use the >>>LINK<<<

What is required to sell in the Artist Alley?

We know that artists have lots of diverse media from Illustration, pottery, sculpture, fursuits and more. We have a short list of requirements.

  • Bring an example of your work. We all want to see your creative skills and capabilities. Past works, prints and portfolios work well for this.
  • Clearly state prices. Price sheets and individual ticketing of items for clear and transparent pricing is key to good sales and further commissions.
  • Bring your own art. We understand you can't make every sticker or print of your art; but if you rely on mass manufactured products or bulk third party distributors for your sales, we strongly encourage you to apply for our Dealers Den for next year.

What is the deadline for the next day Artist Alley sign-up?

We will make the cut off for the following day’s lottery at the close of Artist Alley each day, so if we close at 6pm any new sign ups after 6pm will not be in the lottery running for the following day, however, they will remain in the lottery for any days after. Example, signing up at 7pm on Friday night you will not be in the running for Saturday, but you will be in it for Sunday.

If you have signed up and are a no show for your table, the Artist Alley staff will open to wait list artists thru social media announcements. If an artist is a no show for 3 or more days without prior warning you will not be allowed to table next year.

When will lottery winners be announced?

The aim is to have all lottery winners announced by 9pm the previous night to give artists a night to plan for their next day if needed and to no longer require everyone to be up in the morning hoping for a spot. You will know the previous night, no later than midnight with a plan of around 9pm. All lottery winners will be announced in Telegram in the MCFC Artist Alley Announcements group.

Getting a seat:

  • Sign up online on the form.
  • Suppose more artists sign up than the number of tablespaces available. In that case, we will hold a lottery to determine who gets a seat the day before when the Alley opens for that day. The remaining artists will be put on standby. Check the monitors at Alley check-in to see the seating status.
  • On Saturday and Sunday, any artists who have signed up, but were not seated in the Alley on the previous day, will be given priority before drawing the lottery for the day.
  • Tablespaces per artist are approximately 2.5' x 3', and only the assigned artist is allowed in that space.
  • You will be sharing a 6-foot table with another artist. Please plan accordingly and be courteous to your neighbor.

** Anyone who missed the online sign up window will be added to the overflow list**

Rules

  1. You must be actively working on art while seated. This includes art forms that can take commissions, such as traditional/digital drawing, crochet, cross-stitch, and any others that you can take active requests. Other artists want a seat in the Alley, so make the most of your time there.
    1. We do encourage your patronage of fellow artists within the Alley. Make sure you have someone watching your table and stuff while you are away.
  2. Sales of Mass manufactured goods, NFT’s, Proxy sellers and AI Art is not allowed. We recommend considering a table in the Dealers Den for retail items. The Artist Alley is a space for live commissions and art created "on the fly." Completed commissions for pickup or display examples are permitted. Small batch items like pins, buttons, and stickers are permitted in moderation, provided they are of your original design, and you are actively working on other art pieces while seated. This is up to the discretion of the Alley staff, so please abide by their final word regarding any gray-area items.
  3. Do your taxes! Understand that doing business in the Alley means you are legally required to file your taxes with the state of Michigan. Relevant tax documents will be provided to you for your convenience, but MCFC will not be held liable for the tax obligations of any artist who chooses to conduct business in the Alley. If you prefer one to fill out in PDF format you may also go to the Michigan.gov website and look up the Concessionaire’s Sales Tax Return, which is form 5089.
  4. If you need to leave, check in and out with the Alley staff. You are allowed to leave your seat for 15 minutes at a time. If you are gone for longer than that, we will give your spot to any artist who may be on standby.
  5. No napping at your table. Please consider checking out of the Alley and taking a nap in your room so other artists have a chance to exhibit in the Alley.
  6. There is NO electricity guaranteed in the Alley. We will not be able to supply you with power. Please make sure you charge your devices ahead of time or bring a battery pack.
  7. A laminator and badge hole punch will be available to artists and located with the alley staff. Free to use at your discretion, but please provide your own laminate sheets.
  8. You must take all of your belongings with you when you leave for the day. Please leave your space clean and tidy for the next artist or panel event. MCFC is not responsible for any lost or forgotten items, so keep track of your belongings!
  9. Be conscientious of your neighbors. Please mind your noise, food, smells, sights, space, and social graces while in the Alley. If you are disturbing the room in some way, you will be kindly notified. If the problem persists after the warning, you will be removed from the Alley.
  10. NSFW and adult work are permitted. However, as convention space per the MCFC Code of Conduct is considered to be PG-13, please conceal with stickers and/or clearly mark folios and binders containing adult themes as a courtesy to your customers and fellow attendees. It's just good manners!
  11. By accepting a seat in the Artist Alley, you agree to abide by these rules. Adherence to these rules will be enforced by the Alley staff at their best discretion.

Please help contribute to a peaceful, productive atmosphere by following the rules and upholding the spirit of the Alley. Please come to us if you have any questions or concerns; we can help!

Revised September 5th 2024.