ARTIST ALLEY, MAKER MARKET, AUTHOR LANE, & PRIDE ALLEY

Awesome Con’s Artist Alley, Maker Market, and Author Lane are for indie creators, webcomic artists, crafters, makers, professional writers and illustrators, and small press and fashion brands – and everything sold must be the work of the creator(s) at the table. If you’re selling mass-produced items or are otherwise a retailer or large publisher, you won’t be approved for Artist Alley and should purchase a booth to exhibit.

NEW FOR 2026!

We have updated the table types and layout of artist tables, please read through to understand the new types and layout.

Please read all the information below before applying. All information is subject to change without notice. If you still have questions, please email [email protected]

It is our goal to celebrate fans of comics, anime, manga, and their artistry, and we encourage original prints, comics, crafts, etc., but please read the following to ensure your table follows our guidelines. Should a staff member or publisher representative ask you to remove any item from display and sale, you must do so immediately. Failure to follow this policy puts you at risk of being removed from the event without refund, restricted from future editions of Awesome Con, and, in some cases, facing criminal fines and prosecution. You can read our full bootleg policy here – awesome-con.com/info/policies/.

• You are allowed to exhibit in Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane with both art featuring characters of your own creation, as well as fan art and fan crafts based on comics, anime, manga, and pop culture series. We define “fan art and fan crafts” as original work you have created based on licensed, copyrighted material and characters.
• The sale of any item that reproduces official artwork is not allowed. You cannot use official poster art, key art, screenshots, logos, or other materials you did not draw yourself. This includes making buttons, pins, bags, keychains, etc., with official art.
• Mass-produced fan art and fan crafts are not allowed. While artists are allowed to sell buttons, pins, bookmarks, keychains, and apparel, all must be limited in nature. Mass-produced fan art and fan crafts may be considered bootleg merchandise and subject to removal.
• The sale of any item that reproduces the artwork of other fans is not allowed. For example, you cannot copy another artist’s work from DeviantArt or similar sites and call it your own, and you cannot use this artwork as the basis for other fan art or fan crafts. Do not trace, copy, or place Photoshop filters over any art you didn’t create. The alteration or modification of an existing work is not considered an original work.

PROXY SELLING IS NOT ALLOWED

Artists must appear all three days at Awesome Con, and resellers or art brokers cannot operate tables. Artists must show their ID at registration before setup can begin, and this ID must match the name and information in your application. Any exceptions must be requested in writing as part of your Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane application. Anyone misrepresenting themselves or otherwise engaging in proxy selling risks being removed from Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane and banned from future events.

AI POLICY

Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated artwork is not permitted at Awesome Con.

STAMP RALLIES

Stamp rallies are prohibited in Artist Alley.

PRIDE ALLEY

Pride Alley is a dedicated area in Artist Alley for LGBTQ artists. When completing your application, please be sure to select Pride Alley if you would like to be placed in this area. Space is limited.

ARTIST ALLEY

Artist Alley tables are reserved for comic artists, illustrators, web comic creators, writers, and other 2D style artists – and everything sold must be the work of the creator(s) at the table. Merchandise must be primarily 2D, and the artist must be present during all the days of the event. Space is curated; you must include a website with a portfolio that accurately represents your merchandise to be considered for an Artist Alley table. If you’re selling mass-produced items, other than books, or are otherwise a retailer or publisher, you won’t be approved for Artist Alley and should purchase a booth to exhibit.

MAKER MARKET

Maker Market tables are located in a dedicated area of the Exhibit Hall inside Artist Alley. Maker tables are reserved for artists and crafters to display or sell their handcrafted merchandise – and everything sold must be the work of the creator(s) at the table. The majority of merchandise must be handmade or handcrafted, and the artist must be present during all the days of the event. Space is curated; you must include a website with a portfolio that accurately represents your merchandise to be considered for space in Maker Market. If you’re selling mass-produced items or are otherwise a retailer, you won’t be approved for Maker Market and should purchase a booth to exhibit.

AUTHOR LANE

Author Lane tables are reserved for authors of fiction and non-fiction works that they have created. Merchandise must be primarily 2D, and the author must be present during all the days of the event. Space is curated; you must include a website with a portfolio that accurately represents your merchandise to be considered for a table.

APPLICATION PROCESS | TABLE & BADGE INFORMATION | INSURANCE & TAX INFORMATION
DISPLAY INFORMATION | DAMAGE TO BUILDING | LINES

APPLICATION PROCESS

• This is an application for a table. It is not a contract, and it does not guarantee space. All Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane spaces are limited, and acceptance in Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane in previous years does not guarantee acceptance this year.
• This application will close on DECEMBER 15, and you will hear back on the status of your application no later than JANUARY 15.
• Awesome Con’s Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane is NOT first-come, first-served. It is a curated experience with our Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane participants selected by a team.
• You will hear from us through our email, [email protected]. Please be sure to “white-list” this email or add it to your contacts so that our emails to you do not go to your Spam or Junk folder.
• If accepted, you will receive more information and payment details. You MUST make payment by the date indicated in your purchase link to reserve your space. Late payments will not be accepted. If payment is not received by this date, your table will be allotted to an artist on the waitlist.
• Should you not be part of the first round of Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane acceptances, you will automatically be waitlisted to be considered in the event any tables become available. Details will be included in the status email you receive.
• Individuals as well as collectives or studios with multiple artists may apply, but collectives/studios must identify each of their members within the application. Only one member should apply for a table. Do not submit multiple applications.
• Tables cannot be shared with any artists not listed within the application.
• All artists, helpers, and collective/studio members must be 18 years old or older by the move-in date of the event.
• You will not receive more than one table.

TABLE & BADGE INFORMATION

NEW FOR 2026!

We have updated the table types and layout of artist tables, please see the image below:

• END OF ROW – This is one 8 ft unskirted table space at the End of the Row. You may not add additional tables to this space. – your space is 8×5 ft wide
• INLINE – An Inline space with one 8 ft unskirted table – your space is 8×5 ft wide
• ENDCAP – This is two 6 ft unskirted tables as an endcap – your space is 12×5 ft wide
• PREMIUM ENDCAP – Located the very front of Artist Alley, this is two 6 ft unskirted tables as an end cap, back to back with another Premium Endcap table type. 3 ft pipe and drape behind you will designate the end of your space.

PLEASE NOTE: This year we have incorporated 2 ft Walkways behind tables and a 2 ft break between Inline tables for easier access. You MAY NOT use these spaces as storage or display space.

• Tables do not include electricity, and electricity cannot be ordered in Artist Alley.
• Wifi is not included, but both free and paid wifi options are available directly from the building.
• Artist Alley tables come with two Artist Alley badges. Badges are NOT mailed. You must pick them up in person on your load-in day. Identification will be required.
• Accepted artists may purchase one additional Artist Alley badge per table should they need it for an additional member of a studio and/or helper. Artist Alley badges allow entrance during set up hours before and after public hours each day. Artist Alley badges may not be resold to general attendees.
• Artist Alley tables must be staffed during all Awesome Con’s public hours by a minimum of one person. The maximum number of people allowed behind an Artist Alley table is three.
• Contracted Artist Alley tables cannot be transferred. In the event of an artist’s cancellation, payments are not refundable. (Should Awesome Con itself be cancelled, contracted artists would have the ability to cancel their table for a refund or roll their table to the next Awesome Con.)
• If you purchased a fan badge prior to being accepted to Artist Alley, the fan badge WILL NOT be refunded.

INSURANCE & TAX INFORMATION

• A Certificate of Liability Insurance is required to participate at Awesome Con for all exhibitors in our exhibit hall and artists/makers/authors in Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane. All exhibitors and artists/makers/authors will be required to submit their Certificates of Liability Insurance in advance of the event.
• Neither Awesome Con, nor the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, nor any of their officers, agents, employees, or contractors assume any responsibility for the theft, loss, or damage to an exhibitor’s or artist’s property.
• General Liability Certificate must also indemnify Awesome Con, LeftField Media LLC, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as additional insureds.
• It is recommended that exhibitors and artists consult their preferred insurance broker to obtain a policy to cover their display materials and merchandise during transit and onsite as well as general liability while onsite.
• Further insurance information, including affordable options and submission information, will be included in acceptance emails.
• If selected, you will be required to provide your DC Tax Identification Number to us (this is required by the DC Taxing Authority). If you are not already registered, you should register for a Special Event tax account at MyTax.DC.gov before the event. If you have further questions on this process, please contact the DC Tax Authority – contact hours and information can be found here: https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/special-events

DISPLAY INFORMATION

Displays in Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane must adhere to the following guidelines.

• Tables may not be set up like a booth. If more space is needed, you may consider purchasing a 10×10 exhibitor booth. Please email [email protected] for more information.
• Backdrops, print walls, banners, and displays are not to exceed 10’ from the floor.
• Displays on top of tables are not to exceed 4’ from the table top. Such displays must be stable and secured to the table by means that are not damaging to the table.
• No display is allowed in front of tables or to extend into any aisle.
• No display may infringe upon its neighboring space, including but not limited to outward side-facing displays, support brackets, extension poles, etc.
• Displays are subject to Awesome Con staff discretion. If any display is deemed unsafe, the artist must adjust the display to meet Awesome Con staff recommendations.
• Additional tables may not be added to Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane spaces.
• Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane tables may not be moved, pushed out, pushed back, on risers, or otherwise rearranged.
• Areas directly behind tables may not have any displays blocking the tables next to them, and walkways between tables must be accessible at all times.
• Luggage must be placed beneath the table and cannot be placed in front, behind, or beside the table.
• If an Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane vendor takes a chair from another artist without permission, the Artist Alley vendor risks being charged for the chair or being removed from Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane.
• All work displayed must be that of the creator(s) purchasing the space; plagiarized works or the unauthorized use of copyrighted works will result in the forfeiture of your table space without refund and potential banning from future Awesome Con events.
• No rolling racks, shelving, or other display items will be allowed behind or next to Artist Alley / Maker Market / Author Lane tables.
• Adult-themed materials are allowed but must be tastefully displayed and cannot be accessed by or sold to anyone under 18.

DAMAGE TO BUILDING

• Nothing may be taped, tacked, nailed, screwed, or affixed in any way to columns, walls, floors or other Convention Center surfaces.
• Adhesive-backed decals and flooring are strictly prohibited and cannot be used for any purpose within the Center.
• The use of any glitter is not permitted in the carpeted areas of the Center. Any damage caused by infraction of this rule will be repaired at the exhibitor’s expense.

LINES

• You are responsible for ensuring that any fans waiting in line at your table do not infringe on your neighbors or block an aisle. Should that happen, you risk being shut down by Show Management.