Artists & Vendors

Artists Alley

Hello! You are on this page because you are interested in learning more about the artists alley at Retro Matsuri, or because you are lost.

Artist Alley Hours
TBA

Information for Artists

Are you an artist? Do you want to sell things at Retro Matsuri? This is how you can do that.

How do I become an official artist-who-sells-things at Retro Matsuri?

This is where an application will be. We will also make a news post about it. We have not done that yet.

What is the cost to be an artist-who-sells-things at Retro Matsuri?

A six foot table in the Artists Alley, which includes, as you can imagine, the area above and below the table as well as room behind the table where you can sit and muse about the world as it passes all of us by, is $75. This includes your badge, which is valid for both days.

Must I sell alone in this cruel, cruel world?

Some folks like to have a helper with them, and your helper can be badged into the convention for $30. You may only purchase one helper badge. Your helper may not be another artist, and may not sell any of their own products or work.

Where is the Artists Alley located?

The Artists Alley is located in a ballroom in the convention center. The door locks, but the convention’s operations office is also located in this room, so convention volunteers will be in the room before and after the regular operating hours.

What time is setup? What time is teardown?

Setup will occur on Friday morning between 8am and 12pm. Tear down will occur on Saturday evening.

Are any items prohibited in the Artists Alley?

All items sold in the artists alley must have been substantially created by the artist selling the item. For example, if you are selling pillows with Master Chief’s face on them, you must have created the artwork of Master Chief, but you do not necessarily have to also have made the pillows. You have not substantially created a work by downloading an existing image of Master Chief and putting it on a pillow.

Fanworks, of course, are absolutely permitted and even embraced. That said, if you can make a perfect copy of someone else’s work, that’s very impressive but keep in mind that may infringe on their rights, sometimes known as copyrights.

Certain works may be for adult audiences as a result of containing:

  • Drug references
  • Violence or gore
  • Depictions of people doing their tax returns
  • Sexual content

These adult-oriented works must be kept out of plain sight. You must obscure the sensitive parts of images on display. Further, you must check the ID of any person who wishes to view these materials to confirm they are 18 years old or older.

Retro Matsuri does not prohibit the use of technology, including so-called “artificial intelligence” technology, in works offered for sale. However, works that are entirely or substantially produced with generative artificial intelligence are not permitted to be sold.

Retro Matsuri staff have the sole discretion to determine whether an item violates our policies and must be removed from sale at the convention. Repeated violations will result in your removal from the Artists Alley without refund.

Vendors Room

Like most conventions, Retro Matsuri contains a room where vendors can sell goods.

Vendors Hours
TBA

Information for Vendors

Are you a vendor? Do you want to sell things at Retro Matsuri? This is how you can do that.

How do I become an official vendor-who-sells-things at Retro Matsuri?

This is where an application will be. We will also make a news post about it. We have not done that yet.

What is the cost to be an vendor-who-sells-things at Retro Matsuri?

A thirty-six square foot space in the Vendors Room is $175. This includes your badge, which is valid for both days. You may increase this space to seventy-two square feet for an additional $100.

Must I sell alone in this cruel, cruel world?

Some folks like to have a helper with them, and your helper can be badged into the convention for $30. You may only purchase one helper badge. Your helper may not be another artist, and may not sell any of their own products or work.

Where is the Vendors Room located?

The Vendors Room is located near the entrance to the convention center. The room locks when not in use.

What time is setup? What time is teardown?

Setup will occur on Friday morning between 8am and 12pm. Tear down will occur on Saturday evening.

Are any items prohibited in the Vendors Room?

Fanworks are absolutely prohibited in the Vendors Room. Additionally, unlicensed material is generally prohibited except by special exception from convention staff. If you have a question about whether something is properly licensed for sale in the United States, an intellectual property expert is available to review and make a determination for you.

Certain works may be for adult audiences as a result of containing:

  • Drug references
  • Violence or gore
  • Depictions of people doing their tax returns
  • Sexual content

These adult-oriented works must be kept out of plain sight. You must obscure the sensitive parts of images on display. Further, you must check the ID of any person who wishes to view these materials to confirm they are 18 years old or older.

Retro Matsuri staff have the sole discretion to determine whether an item violates our policies and must be removed from sale at the convention. Repeated violations will result in your removal from the Artists Alley without refund.