ARTIST ALLEY

Please read and follow the instructions below to be considered for Artist Alley at the Grand Rapids Spring Fling Con in Kalamazoo.

For any questions please contact Sharon@GRComicCon.Com

 

Kalamazoo Comic-Con

         Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center |April 11-13, 2025 

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The Kalamazoo Comic-Con will be running a juried Artist Alley. To apply, fill out the application form linked on the website and submit all required items. You may email images/documents to artists.grcomiccon@gmail.com. Artist Alley is designed for individual artists only, and booths may not be shared with anybody. All 2-D and 3-D art will be considered. All art must be exclusive creations of the artist. Commercial merchandise such as T-shirts, buttons, etc. are acceptable for sale, but the artwork used on the product must be the 100% exclusive creations of the artist.

The Kalamazoo Comic-Con is a family-friendly event and all art displayed and sold must be PG-13 or cleaner. Artists who overtly violent and/or sexual/sensual materials will not be considered for Artist Alley, and artists who bring overtly violent and/or sexual/sensual materials to sell at the show who happen to get through the application process will receive ONE warning to remove the items in question, then if the items are not remove or are found to be displayed again will be escorted from the property with no refund of their booth fee as this will be considered a breach of contract. Strategic/artistic nudes are considered to be overtly sexual/sensual materials. Kalamazoo Comic Con core event staff have the final judgment upon this matter.

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Applications will be accepted starting at 9:00am EST on Friday, December 6th, 2024. There will be a total of thirty-five (35) artists accepted as we want to keep the quality and variety as high as possible. We will stop accepting applications at 11:59 pm EST on January 6th, 2025, and we will contact all accepted Artist Alley participants before January 19th. You will then have until February 15th, 2025, to pay the $125.00 fee for your space. If you do not pay the booth fee by the deadline we will then pass your application on to the alternate list.

Each Artist Alley booth will have a 6x2 foot table and two chairs. The total floor space for each Artist Alley booth will be six feet wide by six feet deep. Multiple tables are not available for Artist Alley candidates. No money is needed up front with this application. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and no applications turned in on a ZIP file of any kind will be considered. No applications will be accepted through snail mail. If you have any questions please email Jenn Hodges at artist.grcomiccon@gmail.com before applying.

 

Exhibitor Information, Rules and Guidelines

 

 

Exhibitor Information, Rules and Guidelines

1. Exhibitor Set Up: Thursday, April 10 from 1:00 to 9:00 pm and Friday, April 11 from 6:00 am until 11:00 am (times are subject to change).

2. Exhibitor Hours: Friday: Noon until 7:00 pm; Saturday: 10:00 am until 7:00 pm; and Sunday: 10:00 am until 5:00 pm (times are subject to change). VIP ticket holders are allowed admission a half hour early on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Artist spaces: are 6 feet deep by 6 feet wide and include one 6 x 2.5 foot table, two chairs.  

4. Booth fee includes: Two artist alley badges per booth. Extra badges are available at $45.00 each.

5. Electrical outlets, wireless and hard lined internet service, extra tables/chairs, carpeting, landline telephone service, etc. can be ordered here: TBA

6. *Cancellation Refund Policy

7. More than 30 days before Friday of show, a full refund minus paypal fees, will be provided when/if the booth is resold and paid for.

8. 30 days or less before the show, no refunds or credits will be given.

9. Exhibitor also understands that West Michigan Convention Ventures has the right to resell or reassign tables that have not been claimed by 12 pm on Friday, April 11.  

10. Exhibitors' display will not extend beyond the boundaries of the space that is paid for and provided, or into the aisle ways in front of his/her booth space.  

11. Exhibitor agrees to keep his/her area clean and is responsible for any damage he/she may cause to the venue

12. Exhibitors will not sublet space to another exhibitor. 

13. West Michigan Convention Ventures accepts no responsibility for any merchandise sold at the show. Responsibility for the merchandise and the legalities of selling, and/or necessary rights required to sell any merchandise rests solely in the hands of the Exhibitor.  

14. The Kalamazoo Comic-Con requires that no X-rated, Hentai or NSFW materials be sold at the show in any form. This includes printed and electronic media such as magazines, pictures, DVD/Blu-rays, figurines, pillows, or any other item deemed pornographic or sexist by the promoters. The Kalamazoo Comic-Con will also not allow the sale of any memorabilia surrounding X-rated films, Hentai or NSFW. This includes pictures, posters, action figures, statues, original artwork, tote bags, or any other memorabilia about the adult film industry, even if the item itself is not X-rated.

15. The Kalamazoo Comic-Con does not allow displays that are overtly sexual or violent in content.

16. Any form of bootleg or self-pressed DVD, VHS, or Blu-Ray releases are not allowed unless the seller has express written permission from the copyright owner. Used products produced by the original manufacturer are acceptable.

17. Any form of bootleg memorabilia such as posters, lobby cards, photographs, action figures, statues, or any form of illegally manufactured materials or items not licensed by the copyright owners are not permitted. Exhibitors found selling these items will be escorted from the show by local law enforcement and subjected to federal prosecution. No refunds will be given.

18. Exhibitor agrees not to break down his/her table and/or display before the conclusion of the show without permission of the promoters. If you choose to break down before the conclusion of the show without permission, you will not be allowed back at future events.

19. There will be no smoking in the building and all Exhibitors must comply with state smoking, fire, and safety laws.  This includes e-cigarettes and vaping.

20. Exhibitors are responsible for all taxes and licenses required by the state of Michigan. 

21. West Michigan Convention Ventures and Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center will not be held responsible for any injury to any show Exhibitors, or any loss or damage to any exhibitor’s property from any cause whatsoever while that property is in transit to/from/while at the Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

22. West Michigan Convention Ventures and Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center are not to be held responsible for theft, damage, or destruction of any kind from show attendees and other exhibitors. Exhibitors are required to insure their own property.

23. The exhibitor realizes that guests and events scheduled are subject to changes and/or cancellation.

24. Certain space may be requested, but the exhibitor understands that all booths will be assigned on a first paid, first placed basis. Promoter reserves the right to move artists within the assigned artist alley space when necessary to applicable places (for example, from one corner space to another corner space, etc.).

25. Although requests can be made, no space next to a guest, attraction or another exhibitor is guaranteed and the exhibitor understands that last minute changes do happen.

26. No exhibitor space reservations will be confirmed without the application completed in full and payment received in full.

27. Any disputes that need to be settled in a courtroom will be done so in a court in Kent County, Michigan.

28. No balloons of any kind are allowed.

29. Anyone selling swords, realistic replicas of guns or any other metal weapon must follow these rules: 

30. You may not sell to anyone under the age of 18 and purchasers must be carded.

31. All weapons sold must be in sealed boxes.  

32. All purchasers must be told to take the box to their vehicle and that if they open it on premises, it will be confiscated and not returned. A sign should also be posted in your booth space.

33. All exhibitors selling swords, weapons, etc. must provide a copy of proof of insurance.

34. Selling illegal/bootleg swords is not allowed and subject to prosecution. 

35. The exhibition and/or sale of live animals at events or during show hours is prohibited. 

36. Non-popular culture businesses may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

37. Submitting the filled-out form is considered to be the signature agreeing to this entire contract, whether or not the vendor’s signature is present.

38. Sponsoring A Celebrity Guest - Any Hollywood, comic book, literary, or YouTube guest making a personal appearance in a vending booth must be approved by the Grand Rapids Comic-Con’s management at least 60 days in advance.  

39. The Grand Rapids Comic-Con does have the right of refusal for any celebrity appearance for any reason whatsoever.     

40. “Guest” is defined as any personality signing autographs or distributing materials, whether for free or for a fee, related to their own personal career.   

41.  If you want to sponsor a celebrity appearance please contact Sharon at sharon@grcomiccon.com and discuss who you would like to bring to the Grand Rapids Comic-Con.

31) Kalamazoo Co. Expo Center allows pop up tents, but does not allow the top to be covered due to Fire Code.

 

 

Please fill out this Google Form to complete the application process.