TeslaCon 15 Art Show
Rules and Sign-Up
Thank you to everyone for supporting this part of the convention. While not everyone feels they can make art, it is nice to know that everyone can enjoy art. In many different ways.
The competitions are fairly straightforward. Each one will be addressed below.
As for signing up at the convention.
You may download the PDF to print out and fill out before arrival. You will need to hand this in to the attendant at the door. You must also fill out a card for each piece you display. This will have your name and contact info along with if you wish to sell the piece at all, and the price.
All transactions are between the artist and buyer, TeslaCon is not responsible for any transaction between the two parties. If the buyer does not pick up the art by 12:30 Saturday or meet with the artist prior to arranging pickup, the art will be given back to the artist first.
It is highly recommended that the artist and buyer are present at the time of pickup.
Failure to pick up the artwork by closing will result in the art being stored in a secure place. Announcements will be made at the 2nd ball to everyone. You will be able to pick up art at the leisure of the staff the following day. Art not picked up by closing on Sunday at 3 pm will be given to lost and found at the hotel.
All materials such as easels, electric cords, lights, etc. must be provided by the artist or agent representing the artist and must be set up by the artist as well. The staff will not set up the art but will instruct you where the art must be displayed. These items must also be collected by closing.
The Competitions
Competition One - Steampunk Book Nook
A book Nook is A miniature, themed scene that fits between books on a shelf, it also creates an illusion of depth and storytelling. It can be built using materials like balsa wood, polymer clay, and acrylic paints or a host of other materials. It must be sturdy enough to go between books on a shelf. It can include miniature LED lights and can be inspired by a favorite book or movie. The main object is to create a space of wonder and fun while you look for the book you want.
This competition is fairly straight forward. Size will be determined by the height of the shelf you plan on placing the “nook” on when you are finished. It must be at least 4 inches wide, but no more than 7 inches maximum. Depth again is determined by your bookshelf. If you want to light the “nook” remember to leave room for batteries or a power supply in the back.
The Nooks will be displayed at the Convention together, please bring some books to place on either side of it for the full effect*. They will be judged on craftsmanship, design, functionality and theme.
*Remember this is a Steampunk convention, so the Nook’s should all have a common theme to start with.
Competition Two - The Captured Fairy Cage
A cage is a cage, unless it holds the little people. A fairy cage is a magical and wonderous item to behold. Some say they give off light. Others comment on their magical properties and how they seem to glow form all the magic they have contained. So what can you do?
Make fairy cage of at least 8 inches in diameter and no more than 15 inches in diameter. The height should be no more than 18 to 20 inches high. The cage can be made of any magical property you wish but the usual is brass, aluminum or reed of some type.
You may also keep you “fairies” in the cage for display of you wish. It is well known that the wee folk will glow when they are agitated, so keep this in mind.
The Cages will be displayed at the Convention together. They will be judged on craftsmanship, design, functionality (as in steampunk gadgetry for the device and theme. We will look at the work that went into making the cage as well as the beings inside! So have fun collecting them and bring them to the art show!
Competition Three - The Red Cap Mushroom Hat
The Amanita Muscaria is a Red Capped mushroom that grows in Norway. Known for their magical and yes, even deadly poison they are prized by the Fae for their color and protection. People also love the look of them, and make it known by making hats from the color and shape.
The hats themselves can be made of many materials, knitted, crocheted, sewn, stitched, woven or anything else your heart desires. The idea is to “mimick” the mushroom for its beauty and colors. This also includes the details under the cap itself, and how it affixes to you head.
The competition is open to both men and women, besides the materials there is really no main requirement. We do asl if you can display the art that a foam head would eb best for this at the art show. The more accurate and more creative you get with the hat the better.
The hats will be judged on detailed craftsmanship, overall design, functionality (ease of putting on the hat) and theme.
Competition Four - Skjold A Lage Design – Shield Making
This competition will be the hardest, as it requires thought and preparation more than the others. Because of the size and then weight if the art, we ask that IF you plan on displaying the piece at the hotel there are very strict requirements.
For the Shields to be displayed in the open area known as the Tea Room:
- The shields must be created out of EVA foam, Cardboard or Foam Core. The entire shields must weight lest than 3 pounds. This is for safety and for ease of display. Each shield must be weighted down and ONLY DISPLAYED ON THE 2ND FLOOR of the Marriott WEST. You may also include a banner on your shield IF you chose this method. The banner may have your tribe color, or family crest, etc. It must correspond with the shield somehow.(The overall effect is a small town showing off their ancient town artifacts in the local museum)
The shields cannot be more than 30 inches wide and must have a device to hook the art onto a weighted string so it can be displayed.
Art Show Displayed Shields:
- The shields can be created out of any material you wish. The entire shields must weight no more than 20 pounds. This is for safety and for ease of display. Each shield will be displayed in the art show. YOU MUST have a way to display the art standing up, or propped up. The art show will not provide any mechanism for this. You may also include a banner on your shield IF you chose this method. The banner may have your tribe color, or family crest, etc. It must correspond with the shield somehow.
Both shield types will be judged on detailed craftsmanship, believability of the piece for accuracy to authentic pieces, overall design, color scheme and overall theme.
Competition Five - The Puft Puffin
This competition will be driven by creativity for sure. Your Puffin may be mad out of almost any material. We recommend paper mache’, plaster of paris, wood, paper construction, the sky is the limit. These birds are part of Norway’s culture and coast line. They are abundant and can be seen up and down the cost.
The Puffin can be no more than 12 inches tall with a minimum of 8 inches tall. We DO recommend putting it on something of a base or have it able to stand on its own. The initial idea was to populate the greenery in the tea room, but this will be dependent on the number of submissions we get for the show.
The birds will be judged on detailed craftsmanship, believability of the piece for accuracy to authentic birds, color scheme and overall workmanship. This is a test to see how creative you can be to being this little bird to life!
Competition Six - The Fairy Duster
This competition is driven by creativity and above all Steampunk technology. Throughout the Kingdom the children of Norway are helping out, as well as the average citizen. A fairy duster is a fairly simple machine. A projectile gun that shoots iron filings. The question is… How to create such an elaborate weapon?
The design is open to everything, with one big caveat. It cannot be workable! It cannot fire anything- this is only for prop work and looks.
The weapon may be made of anything that interests you. Remember these are highly designed Fae eliminators, so be extra creative with your designs. The only main restriction besides it working is it cannot be more than 36 inches long at the most and must be at least 8 inches lone at the smallest. If you wish it displayed, please have some kind of base to rest it on and we also encourage a short description of the weapon and how it works!
The Dusters will be judged on detailed craftsmanship, believability of the piece for accuracy to Steampunk theme, color and overall craftsmanship of the the item. This is a great way to see how detailed and believable you can make this!
Competition Seven - The Automatonic Gnome
This competition is driven by creativity and shear fun! You will be creating a little Gnome that is a automaton. The best part is he is yours, to make as you wish. The ONLY main requirement is he must look mechanical!
The size can be 12 to 16 inches high, 18 f his hat is slightly larger. He should be made of repurposed items. Old screws and bolts, pieces of metal, leather scraps, etc. He can light up if you wish, but it should only be with battery power. His beard can be faux fur. The idea is to create a look that in genuine Steampunk, and pure imagination.
The Gnomes will be judged on detailed craftsmanship, originality of the piece for accuracy to Steampunk theme, color and overall craftsmanship of the item. This is a great way to see how detailed and comedic you can make this!
These will be displayed ONLY in the art show.
That’s it, fairly easy and simple. PLEASE understand we cannot facilitate sales of art, or represent the artist or buyer at all. We ask that ALL ARTIST bring anything they wish to display their pieces with them, as the convention does not have all the resources to do so. Security will be in the art room while open and locked when not in use.
Have fun, be creative, good luck, and remember… this is for fun! So have fun making your piece come to life!
- Lord Bobbins