~Artist Alley Rules~
Thank you for showing interest in the Ramencon 2024 Artist Alley.
The Artist Alley is a part of Ramencon events. Below you will find the Ramencon 2024 Artist Alley Rules and Regulations.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Artist Alley Department Head via email at chris.ramencon@gmail.com
The Artist Alley is a place for artists (and other creative individuals) to promote and sell their work. Therefore, anything sold at the table must be a product of your own creative work (or a team member, if you work with others).
~For example, if you've drawn a comic, you can sell that comic, even if it was commercially printed through a publisher.
~Read up on copyright and Fair Use - this is great information! : http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
~If you aren't sure if something is sellable in the Alley, please ask the Artist Alley Chair before the convention so that there are no surprises.
~You cannot sell commercially produced or unlicensed anime or manga items. This includes the resale of manga, DVDs, clothing, plushies, figurines, etc. Fan art is allowed.
~You may not use downloaded, scanned, or redrawn copies of images that are not your own work to create merchandise to sell. (For example, you cannot download an image from the web and silk-screen it onto t-shirts and sell those in the Alley.) You may not duplicate existing licensed merchandise in any form - clothing, figurines, etc.
~The use of professional machines/industrial machines is prohibited in the Artist Alley. These are products which belong in the Dealers' Room and will not be permitted in the Alley. (I.e. the use of compressors or vinyl cut printers belongs in the Dealers' Room but a manual press button machine or products made on a home sewing machine are acceptable for the Alley.)
~You should be able to prove that work is your own if asked. (I.e. your signature, other examples of your work, trademark/copyright notice, etc.)
~Final determination of appropriateness is at the discretion of the Artist Alley Chair.
~Adult materials need to be covered or otherwise kept from the reach of minors. Please be responsible in your transactions - purchase and handling of adult materials must involve an ID check. Adult materials may only be sold by adults who are of legal age and can provide proof. Otherwise, they will be unable to sell this merchandise, asked to remove it from the Artist Alley, and if not removed the offender(s) will be required to surrender their badge(s). Adult materials include all adult themed art and weaponry (fake or real). If it is found that you are selling to minors, you will be removed immediately. The Staff reserve the right to require artists to remove items from public display if they are deemed unsuitable to the standards set by the Staff. This is enforced.
~Please be considerate of other artists with displays, music, etc.
~Creative displays (easels, tablecloths, backdrops, etc.) are encouraged, but be certain that your display doesn't interfere with others' space. Music, videos, etc. should not disturb others. Basically, we're asking you to be a good neighbor, because we all very much value the community that is the Artist Alley.
~You may not front a table from the Dealers' Room, or use Artist Alley/art show table(s) as a substitute for a Dealers' Room booth. If you are found to be doing so, your table and badge will be removed and no refund will be issued.
~In addition a studio member may not belong to multiple studios.
Do not place items in the walkways in front of or behind your table space. Space allowed behind tables is sufficient for backdrops, etc. without interfering with the walkways. As the space behind your tables is designated for backdrops and your supply space, having people sitting in the walkway behind your tables interferes with traffic of other artists who are trying to move in and out from behind their tables. This goes back to being courteous to your neighbors. You are not allowed to have people sitting behind your table, blocking exits. Punishment for inappropriate use of space (any space, whether it is behind, next to, or in front of your table, or on the opposite side of the Artist Alley) can include but is not limited to being asked to leave the Alley, or removal of the offender's badge.
Access to the Alley outside of business hours is restricted to selected Ramencon Staff and individuals wearing special Exhibitor/Artist badges. Access is only allowed during the special times laid out in the schedule. You will not be allowed in at any other time, no exceptions. (I.e. If you forget something in the Alley you will not be allowed back into the hall.)
No individual will be allowed to sell merchandise without an Exhibitor/Artist badge. The only valid place of business during Ramencon is the contracted space(s) assigned to you. If you are found selling merchandise outside of your assigned space without the express written consent of the Department Head, you risk being declared in breach of contract. This will result in removal of all table privileges and removal from the convention.
Please do not move tables without the permission and aid of Artist Alley Staff. The configuration is designed for accessibility, safety, and good flow of traffic. If a table needs to be moved for purposes of unloading, display setup, etc, please inform a Staff member before the convention. We will attempt to honor all reasonable requests.
~You must remain at the table to which you are assigned. You may not move to another table without written permission from Artist Alley Staff. We will endeavor to give table assignments ahead of time, to ease setup.
~Please note that circumstances may change ahead of time and so you may be moved to another spot. We will attempt to contact you, but we cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience this may cause.
~You cannot request table spaces. You may request to be placed near someone, but we cannot guarantee that you will be near them.
~Any table swaps must be approved by both partiesand the Artist Alley Head or Department Head. Forms must be signed by all parties. Keep in mind that table swaps will not be reflected on any maps or signs.
Please plan to be in attendance at your table for a reasonable amount of time. If you do not claim the space by 12:00 PM (noon) Friday and have not made contact with the Artist Alley Head to make other arrangements, we will release your space for at-con rental.
If you register and pay for a table but find you cannot make it:
~To receive a 50% refund, you must place a formal request at least 3 weeks before the convention.
~You will receive no refund if you cancel less than 3 weeks before the convention.
Please follow all requests of con Staff. Failure to do so may cause the loss of your table without refund. If there is a dispute concerning a Staff request, or you feel the need to have something explained further, please see the Convention Department Heads. They will try to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.
Staff cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to your property while at the con. Please keep an eye on your belongings, merchandise and supplies. Be community-minded and report any suspicious activity to the Staff. Please do not attempt to detain shoplifters yourself - call out to the Staff; we have people trained to handle it. You also need to report individuals who are taking photos of your art that you have not authorized to do so, as you see fit. We will endeavor to put a stop to such actions.
You are allowed to leave your tables for breaks. We encourage these breaks to be no longer than 30 minutes, and it is recommended that you remove items of value when you leave. We respectfully suggest that you do not let anyone you don't know handle money at your table in your absence. If you feel you will be gone for more than 30 minutes, either bring along an accomplice or two to watch your space or make arrangements with the Staff at the Alley Staff table to sign out for the day. This is to encourage artists to stay in the Alley while it is open; an empty Alley makes other artists look bad. If you abandon your table for the day shortly after the Alley opens without signing out, your table may be released to other artists. (I.e. if you want to go to an event and need to leave early, make arrangements and it will be fine, but if you show up for maybe two hours out of every day and someone wants a space, you could lose it if you have not made arrangements.)
When you contract space and submit your paperwork, you acknowledge that, by signing the contract, you agree to the terms contained therein. That includes the following: Please read the contract and ask questions regarding anything you don't understand. If you fail to read the contract prior to signing, you risk being declared in breach of contract. Breaking these rules may result in the loss of your space in the Artist Alley without refund. Please direct questions or concerns to the Artist Alley Department Head.
