FanimeCon 2024 Forums

I've been going to the Fanime since 1997, I've been in every Art Show, and I've sold pieces in every one except last year which was a big ol' goose egg.
Last year Cynlie Wang was a fill in for the Gallery and will not be hosting the next one. I've contacted Jonathan Crawford at Fanime Fan Services and he says "We have not yet decided upon the format that Art Gallery will take for the 2016 convention. Please watch our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for information as it becomes available"  ???
It's only roughly 55 days until the Fanime opens and I'm concerned that there may not be an Art Show this time.  :'(
I'm hoping to get any information soon because it'll determine whether it's worth coming back to or not.

Quote from: Xyterra3 on April 03, 2016, 01:52:08 PM
It's only roughly 55 days until the Fanime opens and I'm concerned that there may not be an Art Show this time.

I've been wondering the same thing for a while now...

With Artist Alley pretty much always getting booked solid in a flash every year, last year's gallery was the first chance I got to show off my own work there.  I REEEEALLY hope they have info very soon at this point.

The last couple of years the Artist Alley has become similar to the Merchandise room. I remember how the AA looked a few years ago and now the table displays are just getting bigger and taller. Also it's getting too competitive so all that's left is the Art Show. So I'm with you. I may have not made any money last year but I sure don't want the Art Show to just fade off. I get the feeling the Fanime just doesn't take it seriously anymore, or if ever.

Now there are only 51 days from this message post.
Starting to feel like Walter Bishop in the show Fringe. Only difference is I'm not dropping acid like him, but my concern is growing.

When I was younger I spent most of my time drawing. I enjoyed it and I still do. Rarely ever did I show anyone, outside of family, any of my pieces. Wasn't comfortable with anyone else's opinion or input. That changed as time went on. In 1997 at the Fanime at Foothill College I went on display in the Art Show.
It was a big deal since any Con fans could just waltz in and eyeball my fan art. I wandered the Con for a while and eventually checked in at the Art Show to peek at the people viewing my works. When I saw my panels I noticed that a few of my drawings were missing. I was a bit dismayed at their absence. When I asked Kirk, the guy during that time running the art show, what happened he plainly told me that I had sold some pieces. I was surprised on two levels. One: someone actually liked and bought my art. Cooool.  Second: I'll most likely would never see those drawings ever again after all the work I put into them.

1997 Fanime was THE first time I sold art works. For 18 years I was one of the corner stones of the Fanime's Art Show, sold every single time, and fans would look for my works there. It's a very nice feeling. I like the Art Show a lot and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the money too. But, that wouldn't be the end-all-be-all of it. The fact that I've been in an Art Show, marginally counting the NDK's Art Gallery in Colorado but haven't been back to it in over 6 years, is miraculous by itself. Okay so I didn't make any money last year. I didn't have any illusions that sometime down the road something would eventually change somehow. After all, the Fanime is a business and it's still growing. For all that time I've seen the Art Show to be my once a year niche to show off my best fan art, but that future is now in question. I wear a Blue Lantern ring (look it up) and like the best example I can follow, not blindly mind you, of optimism I've seen so far (Judy Hopps) I'll assure myself that something positive will come of the Art Show.

 :'(  Well, looks like only 49 days left by my count. Just an observation of personal experience, but since I know how it feels when 12 months goes by, unfortunately, 49 days is just not a lot of time.  :-\

Well on the bright side if the Art Show does reappear this year, hopefully, at least whoever hosts it will have the same new display boards from last year.
Hopefully. :-\

Quote from: Xyterra3 on April 09, 2016, 05:35:33 PM
Well on the bright side if the Art Show does reappear this year, hopefully, at least whoever hosts it will have the same new display boards from last year.
Hopefully. :-\

I hope so.  After the struggle I went through to get all the materials for it just days before the Con, they had better keep it.

Amen. Truthfully speaking things have been rather slow in the art department for me since last year.
I'm not saying it's due to how the Art Show went last time but right now I only have one new original piece to show. :-\
I like the new display boards though. Now we just need someone a bit more committed to the Show.

I may have been a bit inaccurate regarding the last post about only having one new original piece to show if the Art Show re-manifests (so to speak)
Right now I have the line art started for the next candidate in my Infinity Ponies project. Yeah yeah it isn't associated with anime fan art but the notion of giving Fluttershy the Soul Gem is very neat. Fans probably won't be too happy that she's in tears though. Soul Gem can do that. Especially to Fluttershy.
Sooo since there are about 47 days to go I may have it done well before then and maybe even get another started beforehand. Oh one can only hope I guess.  ::)

You know it may sound somewhat wishfully self gratifying but allowing the Art Show to come back would make one heck of a nifty Birthday (April 15) present, for me.  ;D but of course be a wonderful benefit to all returning artists.  ;)

Yeah I'll be 49 years old on the 15th. Been drawing since I was 7. Heck of a thing to consider. When you're young time doesn't have the kind of substantiality when you start reaching the age of reason and realization. I know it's not the same for everyone when they reach a certain age but for me it'll be quite substantial hitting the half century mark. Like a mentioned before, I had no illusions that the Art Show would change somehow down the line. I could look elsewhere for another anime convention, even challenge myself to go as far as the Anime Expo. It is bigger than the Fanime. I could do better there but why start over when I've established myself in the Fanime. 19 years is a serious stretch of time and the Fanime's Art Show is the only one I've displayed in the most. Sure I had 9 years in the NDK, even won a few awards, but aside from preferring the Fanime it's closer to home. I wouldn't pay the late registration fee if it wasn't worth it.

Well according to the "watch the Fanime website for details" regarding the Art Gallery it still appears devoid of details.
Everything else on the list of Events is up and running. Good for them. Almost the middle of April and time is getting
short. Still I'll put on my Blue Lantern ring and continue to hope.  :D :-\

Tick tick tick. Looks like only 42 days by my count.  :-\

Regardless if it happens or not, am still gonna mat my new pieces just in case.  If anything, they'll look nice for whenever the next opportunity for their display should come...

Well you do have a point there. I'm reluctant to let originals go anymore and color prints do look just as good. Glad to see there is another artist out there who appreciates the Art Gallery. If it does resurface we have to look for each other while hanging up our pieces.  ;D

Yay and Happy Birthday to me!  ;D Well technically not until 10:30 pm but hey the day is here none-the-less and my belated gift of an Art Gallery still seems to be absent of details.
41 days and counting. However, that number is smaller considering it takes a considerable amount of time to organize an Art Gallery, so really it isn't really 41 days.  :-\

Quote from: Xyterra3 on April 14, 2016, 03:59:28 PM
Well you do have a point there. I'm reluctant to let originals go anymore and color prints do look just as good. Glad to see there is another artist out there who appreciates the Art Gallery. If it does resurface we have to look for each other while hanging up our pieces.  ;D

Sounds good.  Would be cool meetin' face to face TBH

I look forward to it. At that time we must remember to both shake our heads in a manner that says "what was all the fuss?"  ;D
I certainly will be.  ;)

Well now I'm 49 years old. It's sort of good thing I didn't have a clue otherwise from a theoretical physics point of view I'd have altered my entire timeline.  :P Maybe I wouldn't have been over weight.

I've always looked forward to the Art Show each year. It was just a regular thing. Even waiting 12 months at a time was okay. The Oracle America building close by is a big landmark to me. A marker that says "here's the Fanime" so that's where the Art Show is. Still, like Red_Eye I'll just prepare the pieces for possibilities later.  :-\

Well it's less than 39 days and counting. It might reach a Point of No Return but hey what do I know? I've only been in the Art Show for nearly 20 years and watch it change hands three times. Here's a funny suggestion, though not really, give it to me. Hell I'll do it. But I won't do it without help or a budget and i mean from the Fanime.
Think about it won't you.  :-\

Well I'm certainly glad to see there are more supporting the idea that the Art Gallery should come back.  ;D
Thing is with time getting so short and the uncertainty growing due to lack of ANY information, it's starting to feel a little like one would want to place a bet Vegas style regarding the outcome. I'm a believer in luck, mostly good mind you, and I'm still believing that someone will step up to the plate so we artists, yes I'm including other artists because their works are great too, can have our Show again.

Less than 37 days and counting.

A bit of a weakness I have is not planning ahead sometimes. When it came to the Fanime I was better at it when I had a table in the Artist Alley. Luckily I got back a bit more money than what I had invested. However, I was always prepared when it came to the Art Show. Sadly I don't nearly push myself as an artist as much as I should these days. But then that's what the Art Show was for in a way. As I mentioned before I could look to other Cons to display my work but I'm not on that track yet. Waiting has never been my strong suit even though I profess I have reasonably manageable patience. I'm not making any demands. I'm not accustomed to changes to something that doesn't really need any. I've told people in the past that when I'm on display it's like having my cake and eating it too. The only time I "jokingly" let my ego out of the box. I'm not really crazy about plane rides and I could plan a trip to the Colorado NDK in September which would be a nice return after a 6 year absence. But, it would be a sad occasion to miss a Fanime Art Show this year.

Less than 35 days and counting.  :'(

I understand that your anxious for word (lord knows I get the same way waiting on AA), but I don't think the forums are so busy that bumping the thread every day is necessary. I'm sure as soon as it's ready/allowed to be posted you'll see it. :)

Anxious is an understatement.  :P
After the Art Show changing hands 3 times over 19 years and getting zero information beyond Thank you for your interest in FanimeCon's Art Gallery. We have not yet decided upon the format that Art Gallery will take for the 2016 convention. Please watch our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts for information as it becomes available. puts something very important to me in limbo. It is kinda hard to take. My "bumps" are just reminders to myself and conveying to others of how much I like the Art Show. Read a few of my previous comments and you should get a better picture how I feel.

I used to be Staff in the Art Show in the past. The displays were rickety and worn, the separate parts to support the wood beams that the peg board panels were zip tied to seemed like bizarre ninja weapons. But, they always held and were solid for the task. Taking them apart was a bit easier than assembling them. It was definitely a calorie burner at times. Even when I wasn't on Staff for the Show I'd still stay behind if they didn't have enough help for clean up.
The new displays look better and seem more stable. Be a shame if they couldn't be used again.

33 days and counting

One of the better reasons I'm waiting on Art Show intel is that it will determine the point when I purchase my Fanime weekend membership. Hopefully that will be soon. Sorry folks but I'm not good on waiting on certain things.  :-\

Fanime's communication with artists has really been lacking........... :x
They're a huge part of the convention, after all.

Yes, yes they are. However, a large percent of them are in the Artist Alley. Those of us who were unable to get into the AA have the Art Show to fall back on. Just like yourself and others we're just waiting on some intel, rumors, anything really. But hopefully something useful and beneficial to the artists.  :-\

http://ziemospendric.deviantart.com/art/Fluttershy-and-The-Soul-Gem-605503175
I know it's already on Deviant Art but it's a little different when it's on display outside of cyber space.  ;)
It's part of my Infinity Ponies project. There are a total of 6 gems and The Mane Six. 3 down 3 to go.  ;D

And April slowly crawls to an end...soooon.

And April is done...welcome to the month of May...
Still very quiet on the western front....
sigh*

Quote from: Xyterra3 on April 30, 2016, 10:28:10 PM
And April is done...welcome to the month of May...
Still very quiet on the western front....
sigh*

Keep fighting the good fight, sir.

Don't really want to have the Fanime people think it's a fight but I get what you mean.  ;D

Quote from: Xyterra3 on May 01, 2016, 11:09:10 AM
Don't really want to have the Fanime people think it's a fight but I get what you mean.  ;D

Remain steadfast and true to the tradition of the Art Show, then? :)

That would certainly be a big part of it. The other half would be hoping they took it more seriously. Somehow it just feels like they've been treating it like a sideshow.  :-\

By the way 25 days until go time.

It occurs to me also that news about the Art Show needs to be more evident.
The Fanime still needs time to print it in the Guide before the opening of the Con.  :-\

Still keeping fingers crossed.  In vain or not, it ain't over until it's time.

Same here. Course every time I hear or read about the crossed fingers thing people suggest crossing anything else that can be crossed. That's silly of course even for a mildly superstitious person such as myself. However, with 23 days to go I am slowly growing sad despite my unflappable hope the Art Show will come back. But, I agree with your sentiment. In vain or not, it ain't over until it's time.
Now if you'll excuse me I'll be in the corner muttering darkly to myself but keeping a smile on my face.
:P

Still muttering to myself...  :'(

I have been offering to run the Fanime Art Gallery since February. I have art show coordination experience from set up, artist check-in, sales, to take down (in short, all of it). I still have the blank Fanime Control Sheets and Bid Sheets as well. Let me rock this!

You have all that experience and you've been pitching it to them since February???  Have you got any answers from them? Who were you trying to contact?
If you are offered soon, you want me for a partner. I've been a corner stone artist in the Art Show since 97 and I've been staff for it for 5 years (2002-2006)
There's only 26 days to go and I'm really getting worried.

Sadly, only Fanime staff that does not assist with deciding Staff have replied to me all with efforts forwarding my emails on to places that I haven't heard back from. I'm not exactly sure where the buck stops? I submitted a Staff application twice, emailed 3 times to HR/Web, and messaged the Facebook. I just heard once more about 3 days ago that my email was again being forwarded on. Fingers very crossed I hear from them.

I have attended Fanime for over 10 years as well, we've probably seen each others' work! In recent years I have entered the hand painted glassware. What work did you have?

If you've had to do all that and barely get a peep out of them then it makes me wonder how serious they are about the Art Show.  :-\
The largest percentage of artists are in the Artist Alley these days but that's not the same as a Gallery. After all, the Fanime's
Artist Alley doesn't get a percentage of the table occupiers sales. I have seen some very nicely painted wine and shot glass in the past
so I'm not surprised if those were yours.  ;) I checked out your web site and you are quite a talented artist.  ;D
Most of my works are on Deviant Art   http://ziemospendric.deviantart.com/
I'm keeping my fingers crossed you hear from them as well. Would be a sad occurrence to have the Art Show absent this year.

The Sailormoon as Blade! Yes, I have seen your work there many times!!  ;D Love your new Tinkerbell up there as well--she's super cute! I love her lil toesies.

I am hoping one of the forwarded emails has a positive reply on Monday. I spoke to a friend in Artist Alley last night who knows a staff member and she is going to try that route for us as well.

I take that as a tremendous compliment that you remember Sailor Moon as Blade because you are literally THE only one that has indicated that.  ;D  Tinkerbell has always been a favorite of mine.  :D
You definitely have a knack for networking and contacts that will hopefully give you the opportunity to revive the Art Show. If the green light is given I look forward to meeting you.

Well, looks like there may be hope after all.

I'm certainly still confident.

Then that makes three of us.  ;D  I can be a very patient person occasionally but waiting on Fanime at least sending up smoke signals
is really eating at me.  :P

It would be great if Fanime read this forum topic as well! For Fans, By Fans is what we're trying to do!  8)

I agree completely. It would be great even productive if they did read this topic.  :-\
I bought three pieces of Matte Board today and will be preparing three new color prints.
Would really like to have them on display in the show. And of course get a chance to sell them too.    ::)

:whisper: I'm still heeerrreee....

Someone is replying to me via the Fanime Facebook! They are trying to get confirmation on whether the Art Gallery is taking place this year or not. I have reassured them that even given the short time, I can have things set within a day and start setup on Thursday and mentioned having a Fanime-experienced person (That's you, Xyterra) willing to help. Fingers crossed!

That's good news.  Keeping them fingers crossed!

Oh lordy this is killing me. They still have the brand new display panels from last year hopefully.
I commend your confidence Moonbug. You certainly have more than I but I'm still rubbing my Blue Lantern ring none-the-less. If it gets the green light would we still be able to sell our works?

I wish I could answer more. If they let us run the Gallery, I will do everything I can to ensure sales. I'll even suggest Cash Only if they do not have a credit card method available to the Gallery. If they allow a non-Fanime system to use their POS I do have my own tablets and of course phone to do so.

Edge of my seat here!  :-[

*Rubs lucky penny found yesterday*

:feels like might have a mental equivalent of an aneurysm from waiting for an answer:
I'm so weak willed in these cases.  :P

Not sure if any of you read this but as paranoid as I normally am I've been checking the Fanime web site every day and found this.

We regret to officially inform you that Art Gallery will undergo a transition year and will not take place at FanimeCon 2016. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those that have participated in the gallery in the past and those that have expressed interest this year.

Well that saved me $65. Guess that also gives me more than enough time to come up with Return To The Show art next year.
Thanks Moonbug and Red_Eye for your support. Hopefully we'll meet next year. Ciao  :'(

Sorry it didn't work out this year. It's great to see such passion behind your campaign for the Art Show and hopefully it can return better than ever next year.

Well that's disappointing after all this time with no clue or indication of working or not, the whole wait through...

Here's hoping next year will be more promising.

Very disappointing. It has been great getting to know the artists here though!

To become staff is just a super elite "secret list" kind of thing, I've been told. I only had 4 months to try and become staff to run the Art Gallery. Let's see what can be done with 12 months.

:'(

Thank you for your efforts in attempting to keep this tradition going.  Here's to 2017 being a proper return for the Art Show.

Quote from: InsaneDavid on May 12, 2016, 08:37:44 AM
Thank you for your efforts in attempting to keep this tradition going.  Here's to 2017 being a proper return for the Art Show.

Thank you for your kind words. Fingers crossed for 2017!

Yes fingers crossed indeed for next year. Sad thing is I primarily attend the Fanime because of the Art Show. Since there isn't...well there you have it.  :-[

I'm the same. I love going to Fanime for the Art Show. I already have my ticket and hotel though, so I am making due with the Swap Meet this year. Haven't done the Swap Meet in probably 10 years?? It used to be FREE! As did Art Show, Artist Alley, etc.... haha. Oh, the good 'ol days. The spaces went from 4x4 to 12x6 though. So, there's that.  ::)

Please keep in contact for 2017 and keep that ring going!  ;)