Art Show

Creative works of science fiction and fantasy, displayed for all to see.

Overview

The Minicon 58 Art Show is a non-juried show open to all artists who’d like to submit artwork in a science fiction and/or fantasy theme. Regardless of what media you work in — traditional, digital, fiber, sculpture, etc. — you are welcome. Most art is for sale, although some may be just for show. Art can be bid upon or, if the artist chooses, be immediately purchased at a set price.

If you have any questions about anything contained on this page, please contact artshow@minicon58.mnstf.org!

Volunteer!

Volunteers are needed for Thursday set-up, Sunday tear down, and lunch breaks. Artists who volunteer for Art Show set-up will also have the option of hanging their art on Thursday. Contact artshow@minicon58.mnstf.org for more information on volunteering for the Art Show.

Mail-In Art

Minicon offers an option for a VERY limited number of artists to mail in their art prior to the convention. Please contact the Art Show head at artshow@minicon58.mnstf.org for information on this option.

Calling All Young Artists!

Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit and display works of art! All other Art Show rules listed below apply.

Information for Art Show Visitors

Stop by and see the work of our talented artists! If you’re interested in purchasing any works, here are some things to keep in mind:

Art Show Sections

• The Art Show has two sections, the Gallery and the Print Shop/Art Market.
• Gallery works may be for display only, or may be purchasable by bidding and/or Direct Sale.
• The Print Shop contains prints and reproductions available for a set price.

Bidding and Direct Sales

• A Minicon member badge number is required for bidding or Direct Sales, and the bidder must have contact information available through their badge number.
• There will be no Gallery art pick-up before the end of bidding on Saturday. If you are unable to attend the convention on Sunday, but still wish to bid on art or purchase it via a Direct Sale, please talk to an art show staff member before bidding!
• Direct Sales
• Any piece that has a direct sales price may be purchased at that price as long as there are no bids on it. The item will then be marked as sold and will no longer be eligible for future bidding.
• Bidding
  • Bidding takes place through a silent auction format.
  • Bid sheets are marked with the highest bid by bidders who want the piece by auction.
  • The highest bidder at Art Show Closing Time on Saturday is the auction winner.
  • A list of winning bidders will be posted outside the Art Show after the show closes on Saturday
  • There will be NO live auction for Minicon 58.

Print Shop

• Print Shop items are paid for and taken at the time of purchase.
• Print shop items are not eligible for auction.

Pickup and Payment

• Art purchased via direct sale or auction will remain on display until Sunday.
• Pieces won at auction will be available for pick up starting Sunday Morning. Payment is due at this time. Pickup MUST be made by the close of the Art Show on Sunday.
• Art purchased from the print shop must be taken immediately.
• Minicon accepts cash, check, and credit card.
• Artwork that is won by auction but not paid for by the close of the art show Sunday will be returned to the artist as unsold.
• Minicon will not deliver artwork to auction winners.

Information for Artists

Online submission for Minicon 58 is available now. Scroll down the page for more information!

At-Con submission is also possible, but will be subject to space availability.

Important for Minicon 58

All artists who will physically be delivering their work to the convention MUST follow the Minicon COVID policy (if one is in place), whether they have a membership to the convention or not. If you are unable to follow these guidelines, but would still like your art displayed at Minicon 58, you are encouraged to either find an agent to handle the delivery of your work, or contact artshow@minicon58.mnstf.org to inquire about the possibility of mailing in your art. All agents handling the delivery and set up of art must also follow the Minicon COVID policy

General Rules and Guidelines

• Regardless of what media you work in — traditional, digital, fiber, sculpture, etc. — you are welcome. You may offer prints and/or original art for sale to attendees directly or by auction.
• All art must be fully created by the artist. Art generated via the use of AI is not considered to be original to the artist.
• Minicon is a family attended science fiction/fantasy convention, so please keep this in mind when submitting your work for sale.
• Preregistration is greatly encouraged! If you prefer to fill out your control sheets by hand, they will be available in the Art Room.
• Art is accepted on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited.
• Permission to use copyrighted characters, when required, is the responsibility of the artist, not of Minicon or the Minicon Art Show staff.
• Minicon will cooperate with legitimate efforts to enforce copyrights.
• Security will be provided by Minicon staff while the Art Show is open, and will be secured in a locked hall by hotel staff at night.
• Minicon and Minicon Art Show staff will not be responsible for theft or accidental damage to artwork or artist's property.
• Once auction art is hung, it will remain on display until the Artist picks up their work on Sunday. There is no Saturday artist check-out.
• Minicon collects a 10% commission on all art sold through the Art Show and Print Shop.

Art Show Gallery

• Pieces in the Art Show Gallery may be for display only or may be for Auction and/or Direct Sale.
• Originals or Single reproductions/prints may be entered or displayed in the Art Show Gallery. Multiple reproductions/prints should be presented in the Print Shop area.
• A maximum of 15 pieces are allowed per artist in the Gallery.

Print Shop/Art Market

• There will be a Print Shop/Art Market area for prints, reproductions, and small items. Due to space limitations, no more than 5 copies of any one work of art may be submitted, please.
• Print shop items are not eligible for auction.
• Artists do not need to submit artwork in the main show to have items for sale in the print shop.
• No hanging fee is charged for print shop items.
• All print shop items must be marked with the sale price.
• A maximum of 15 entries are allowed per artist in the Print Shop.

Art Check In/Out and Documentation

• Each piece of artwork will be checked in and out of the Art Show by Art Show staff before it can enter or leave the hall. This is to provide an accounting of each piece that is turned over to Minicon and to track sales totals.
• Artwork can be removed only by direct sale buyers, auction winners, or artists/agents after check out.
• Whether art is for sale or not, each artist must register every piece of art entered in the Art Show.
• Each piece of artwork in the Art Show auction must have a bid sheet attached to it, and the information on that bid sheet must match the control sheet. If you submit your art online, this will be done for you.
• Each artist with Print Shop items must have a print shop control sheet.
• If you choose not to pre-register, walk-in registration for art may be available.
• For artists with many pieces of art, we strongly recommend that you register online. This will make your Art Show check in and set-up much faster!
• Only the artist or agent checking in art in can check unsold art out again, unless otherwise stated clearly to the Art Show department head (or designated subhead) at check-in.
• The artist or agent must pick up any unsold art by the close of the Art Show on Sunday.
• If an artist or agent chooses to pick up their art before all of their sold pieces have been picked up by their winning bidders, the artist or agent will need to indicate their contingency preference in the event a winning bidder does not pick up their piece.
  • In this very unlikely event, the art show head will let the artist know what the options are.

Online Submission

Pre-con online submission is now available: https://forms.gle/hsYPUAfr3dxwQvBL8 This form will be open until Friday, April 18th, 2025. Any piece submitted through this portal will have a bid card automatically generated for it and be pre-entered in the art show database, saving you from needing to fill out forms by hand!!

Contact

Email the Art Show department head at artshow@minicon58.mnstf.org with questions.