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
Saturday: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Subject to change.
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?
APPLICATIONS FOR RETRO MATSURI 2026 WILL OPEN IN MARCH 2026.
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 $120. Your table cost includes two (2) badges to the convention; you may purchase additional badges at a reduced rate of $20 per badge.
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 Saturday morning between 8am and 12pm. Tear down will occur on Sunday 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
Saturday: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Subject to change.
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.
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 $195. This includes two (2) badges, which are valid for both days. You may increase this space to seventy-two square feet for an additional $125 and which includes two (2) additional badges.
Where is the Vendors Room located?
NOTE THIS CHANGE FOR 2026: The Vendors Room is shared with the Artists Alley and is located in one of the ballrooms.
What time is setup? What time is teardown?
Setup will occur on Saturday morning between 8am and 12pm. Tear down will occur on Sunday 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 without refund.