Tsubasacon 2009

First off, being the head of artist alley I want to let you all know that I think...although I'm still talking to the artists - that we all had a really great year.  I want to thank everyone for coming through the artist alley and stopping to talk with the artists and buy random things from them, because buying stuff and talking to us really boosts our egos and we want to do even better for next year!  I want to thank all of the artists for coming and showing off some really fabulous items!  Our artist alley always has an awesome selection of items because YOU made it that way!!

There are a few issues I want to bring up that I know we had problems with this year:

1.  Running in the artist alley, we had some complaints with people goofing off close to tables and knocking things over - we tried to talk to these people as soon as we could but I'm sure there were some incidents that we couldn't get to.  Next year, please let the staff know immediately so we can make sure nothing gets ruined.

2. Power outages - since the Convention center is allowing us use of their electricity, we had to bow to their whims.  We had a few complaints from artists when there really wasn't anything we could do but tell someone working there to flip the breaker again.  We supplied extension cords this year but next year please have a backup plan if electricity is not available.  It will be posted on the artist alley registration page that power outlets will NOT be available.  I know this might be a bit of a pain for everyone because they want to have their laptops and other electrical devices but with only two outlets along the entire hallway - please understand we did the best we could for you!

3. Copyrights/Merchandise - in next year's rules we will be clarifying what can be sold in the artist alley.  Unlike the larger conventions, we do allow fanart and we do allow references to different series - I love the fact you can walk into the alley and buy a fanart pin or something that references a favorite series.  However, there were a few people who mainly items they themselves did not make or design, and we had some complaints about "services vs art".  And a few copyright issues need to be addressed, so look forward to a clarification of rules for next  year.

4. Commissions - most of our complaints came from guests that attended last year as well as this year about commissioning an artist to draw them something to bring this year and were not here.  Because each artist handles commissions differently, there's not a really easy way for us to handle this issue.  Basically I have this advice - if you commission art from an artist to be done after the convention, find a way to keep in contact with them until you receive your artwork.  This includes (but is not limited to) - getting phone numbers, email addresses, writing up a receipt, some little contract, paying half to the artist, then the other half once they send you the artwork... etc.  As in the past, Tsubasacon cannot help you get your money back, we feel sorry for your loss, but we really can't control whether an artist will be fair or not - only whether we have them back or not.

5. Other guests using the artist tables - artists have their tables throughout the weekend, but we had a few people hijacking tables when the artists are not around.  They don't appreciate coming back to find food and trash around their tables they have to clean up the next day - it's aggravating!  Artists please not you DO have the right to tell people to leave your table alone when you're not at them - I know you want to have fun too and not worry about other's messes!!


If there are any other problems you would like to address - please post them here!  We want to make sure that next year was as good or even better!!  Thank you again - we really did have a lot of fun, and I know a lot of artists were selling out of items and just happy that the majority of attendees were really awesome!

In truth, I am not sure if there would be a way that could be accommodated. The challenge with the convention center is the wiring that is within the building. The convention center from the looks of it has only so much power on one side of the building and when one tips the scale, it causes the other to go haywire.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Hopefully this will be resolved or adjusted in our favor the 2009 convention.

Remember that both Coke machines are on the same circuit and they pull a lot of power. IMO, the building just isn't wired like it is should be, but we half to deal with what we have. And if there is a power management issue, then the vendors will get priority over the artists. We may have to see if the other Coke machine can be placed over in the east hallway on a different circuit next year instead of both being in the west hallway.

I think artist ally should be moved over to the other side, or maybe just have the walk ways halved, personally I think with all the artist on one side it takes up a little to much room, and than the other side of the center is just kind of dead looking. With the exception of the ConFunk and psp table.

Any way that's just my personal opinion!   

The East Hallway is much narrower then the West Hallway. We would not be able to put artist tables out there and still have room for people to walk by.

Artists Alley is always my favorite part, so many great and original goodies to be bought and very descent prices.
They are most always, very coordinated. I liked talking to the artists, very interesting people. It's always their personalities that really wheel me in; especially when i see that  it's reflected in their work.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but i was put off walking to the end where some of the artists were. I felt bad that they were so cramped up in the corners.

Some people could have made better with their space, especially when they had printed art for sale. I hate to touch things or to see grubby hands reach and shuffle through work.
Using the front of the table to clip up some work would have been easily achievable, or making stands with cardboard boxes is a cheap investment.

Those who were well organized - i thoroughly enjoyed looking through your work. One table had a nice setup with wire cube things, to put their larger items in!
I hope next year the alley would be steered away from the toilets 

I think some of the artists you spoke of were some that had to come on the bus - it's hard to bring boxes, whatnot to store art work when you have to take it on the bus with you in a suitcase! I'm sure most of the artists are glad for you to shuffle through their work and I think it's the responsibility of con-goers to pop into the bathroom and wash their hands before hand.    As for the toilets...it's sort of a necessary evil since we like to have more artists down the hall, and if we were to avoid the end of the hallway AND the bathrooms - there wouldn't be much room left for the artists!  Thanks for the comments though - maybe we can spread them out a bit more next year - but we do our best when we can!