Tracon (2023)

    • Artist Alley

    Artist Alley

    The Artist Alley is a place for amateur and semi-professional artists and crafts persons to showcase and sell their work. Artist Alley has fanart and original art from several artists during Tracon weekend.  Please note, that most of the artists can only accept payment in cash. Some of the artists are on the Alley only for one day so we suggest you visit Artist Alley every day! The Artist Alley is located on the third floor of Tampere Hall.

     

    Opening hours

    Friday: 16.00 – 21.00

    Saturday: 10.00 – 19.00

    Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00

    *We reserve the right for changes

     

    Applying for Artist Alley

    Applying period begins: Saturday 1st of April at 10.00

    Applying closes: Friday 28th of April at 20.00

    Link for the application form: Applying closed

    Results: By the end of May. Published.

     

    How to apply

    Applying for Tracon’s Artist Alley happens through electronic portfolio and form. Please fill in the form carefully, especially first and last name, email address and link to your portfolio. Make sure there are no spelling mistakes.

    If you are applying as a group or with a friend, please fill in the form together. Sending in multiple forms with the same name will result in rejection. We recommend that the maximum number of artists per group is three.

     

    Artist for the Artist Alley or an artisan?

    Artist Alley welcomes all hobbyist artists and crafts persons. If, however, you are doing art professionally, please consider applying for an artisan table. On the Artist Alley all products must be self-made and not, for example, products bought for resale.

     

    Selection Criteria

    Portfolios are viewed by jury formed by the Artist Alley’s manager. Jury changes every year. Below are the criteria for portfolio viewing. Please also note the instructions for portfolios.

    The applicants will be informed of the results by the end of May. Please also check your junk mail.

     

    First time applicants

    • Every year we aim to find new artists to participate on the Artist Alley. Portfolio showcasing readiness for Artist Alley is required for the first timers also. First timer can have experience on other Artist Alleys but not on Tracon’s.

    Technical skills

    • Work/art is showcased as the products that would be on sale at Tracon – finished. You don’t have to have the final product yet but separate drafts or first try outs may not be enough to show what the finished products would be. You can however showcase the work at different phases.

    Creativity

    • The work/art shows the artist’s own craftsmanship and style. The products do not copy or imitate licensed products. If you are experienced artist on the Artist Alley, we expect you to have new products to sell.

    Tracon’s target group

    • Our target group consist of many series, topics and interests. The Artist Alley cannot consist only of a few topics, and this is why we try to select a wide range of interests. If there are two artists with same kind of products, we will compare them with the criteria above.

     

    Instructions for portfolio

    Portfolio leaves no questions – please add a short description of your art if needed.

    Write shortly of who you are, what do you do, what materials you use, what products would be found on your Artist Alley table and how you make them. Original arts and crafts can be described in detail.

    The Portfolio should have 8 – 20 pictures of different pieces to show. Pick pieces that you would sell on the Artist Alley. There can be a few pictures about the process of making the products.

    When applying as a group please combine your portfolios to one.

    Please do not use social media platforms as the base of your portfolio (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.) or an art site that consists all of your production.

     

    Accessibility of the portfolio

    • Make sure all the links work.

    • The pictures must be sized reasonably (not too small), and all the text must be readable.

    • The portfolio can have your personal touch to it.

     

    AI-art

    We respect the amount of work artists put into their art and we forbid selling art made with AI on the Artist Alley. The ban includes partly or completely AI generated pictures that are based on other parties’ pictures.

     

    Showcasing Age Limited Art

    Tracon is for people of all ages. Please note this in how you showcase your art. Be aware that gore and sexually suggestive art must be showcased in a way that the people visiting the Artist Alley are not exposed to it without their consent. A good way to limit the exposure of the art is the use folders, boxes and other covering techniques in critical places. Folders and boxes must have clear signs of content. You as the artist must be aware of who browses your art and if needed steer the visitor to other products. Selling age limited art to underaged visitors is not allowed.

    All art can be showcased in the portfolio.

     

    Applying for a MAX-table

    Table for the whole weekend is meant for very experienced artists. Please make sure your portfolio has pictures of finished products that are ready the be sold and include pictures of your previous Artist Alley tables. In the form, please be prepared to write an explanation of the background of your experience. Make sure you have enough products to sell for three whole days.

     

    Tables and days available

    When applying for the Artist Alley please pick the days most suitable for you. It’s good to have a primary wish and a secondary option. Please be prepared that you might get your secondary wish. Options outside of applicant’s wishes are not offered.

    Tables MEDIUM and LIGHT are either one day or two days tables and these options are open for all applicants.

    For experienced sellers there are MAX tables that are for three days. To apply for this table, we expect the applicant to show their experience in the form and portfolio and also of what the table would look like.

    For the chosen artists, with the table, a ticket for the whole weekend is sold. The tickets will be named and cannot be exchanged forward. Any possible assistants will have to buy their own ticket by themselves.

     

    Statistics of the tables

    Artist Alley table LIGHT | size 50 cm x 150 cm | 1 or 2 days

    Artist Alley table MEDIUM | size 75 cm x 120 cm | 1 or 2 days

    Artist Alley table MAX | size 80 cm x 180 cm | 3 days

    *Changes per table are possible due to applications and schedule.

    *All tables include two chairs.

     

    Changes, cancellations and attendance

    After the apply period ends it is not possible to make changes for the table statistics. Cancellations must be made known as soon as possible. To not show up without any announcement is written down as information for the next Tracon. If you are late on the day of Tracon without announcement or if you do not show up, the table will be given forward to other artists.

    We expect that during the Artist Alley opening hours the artists are at their tables. The estimated opening hours of the alley are shown at the time of applying period. Please note them when applying.

     

    Waitlist

    Waitlist will not be published or announced. In the application form, please make known if you are willing to fill in a table even on short notice as the event draws near.

     

    The Artist Alley pricing

    Prices do not include ticket for the event.

     

    Contact

    If any questions, feel free to contact: taidekuja(@)tracon.fi