Ad Astra Art Show FAQ


Q: What is the Art Show?

A: The Ad Astra Art Show is a gallery showcasing work produced by both amateur and professional artists. The artwork displayed is generally on a Sci-Fi or Fantasy (or in those styles).



A: No, Art Show is an art gallery setting.


Q: So, I don’t get to (or have to) hang out with my artwork all weekend long?



Q: I registered for Dealers Room. Can I still enter the Art Show?



Q: Can I sell the same image in the art show and the Dealers Room?

A: As per convention policy, identical products cannot be sold in multiple venues. However, we consider different versions of the same image to be different products (e.g., different sizes, matted and unmatted, etc.). Therefore, you could theoretically display a special, limited-edition print in the Art Show and sell it at auction, and have a different size of prints available for sale at your dealers room table. That said, if you don’t want to produce a special, limited-edition copy of a print that would otherwise be for sale elsewhere, you are welcome to also hang a display-only version with your Art Show display, marked not-for-sale (“NFS” on your control and bid sheet).


Q: May I post a sign on my Art Show display stating, “Prints are available in the dealers room”?

A: Absolutely!


Q: Is there space left in the Art Show?







A: We print all materials from a 3rd party company and takes two weeks to receive it back. We prepare a registration kit for you that contains your bidding sheets and other materials that are generated from your completed control sheets. This advance preparation guarantees an expedited check-in for you and adequate time to ensure proper amount of materials will be available.



A: In general, the sooner that you can send us any changes, the better. We will confirm receipt of every draft that you send us; if we haven’t acknowledged that your changes have been made within two weeks of having sent them, please let us know. If you are keeping the same pieces in your display, please keep their piece IDs the same, if possible.





Q: How are spaces assigned in the gallery?



Q: Seriously?

A: In all seriousness, the assignment of spaces within the gallery relies mostly on the amount and type of space reserved by each artist, as well as any special requests. It is difficult to publish an accurate final floor plan in advance.


Q: How many pieces am I allowed to display?



Q: If I’m only limited by the space, then how much artwork can I bring?

A: As a courtesy to the other artists and the Art show staff, we strongly suggest that you bring no more artwork than you can set up in a half-hour. Estimate at least 1 minute per piece (more if your pieces are particularly large, delicate, or unwieldy) to allow time for our cross-check and verification at the end of your check-in process.


Q: What is a panel?

A: A panel (also known as a “flat”) is a section of pegboard on which artwork is displayed.  A full panel measures 4′ x 4′ (48″ x 48″).



A: No. If a piece is not for sale, you will mark “NFS” under “Minimum Bid” for that piece’s entry on your Art Show control sheet. Its corresponding bidding sheet will be marked accordingly.


Q: How should I price my artwork?

A: We appreciate that this is a complicated and important matter, and we can give no singular answer that will satisfy all artists’ situations and conditions. We also recognize that there are current, generally-accepted guidelines within the artistic community for pricing one’s work, in accordance with both aesthetic values and business practices. We would never diminish the effort that you put into creating your work, and we have long adopted a hands-off policy concerning these matters; ultimately, you, the artist, know what is best for your own work. As such, the best that we can offer is a guideline based on our experiences at Ad Astra.



A: In past years, we have observed that pieces listed with a minimum bid price of $50 or less have a higher chance of receiving bids (often selling at auction for multiple times its listed value), compared to those with higher listed minimum bid prices.


Q: Can I display fan art?




A: No. Once an artist’s check-in has been completed, we cannot allow further artwork to be submitted.



A: No, your artwork is safe overnight. Artists are only required to set up and tear down their display areas once per convention (on the Friday and Sunday, respectively).






A: Yes, Unless you have an agent.


Q: What is an agent and what does one do?

A: An agent is a person who is authorized to represent you at the art show in your absence. An agent delivers and picks up your artwork, is responsible for the setup and tear down of your display, and handles your earnings at the end of the show. Please note that you only require an agent if you are not personally attending Ad Astra for the full weekend. If you cannot reclaim your own artwork at the end of the show, you will need to make arrangements for an agent to pick up any unsold pieces and your payment on your behalf. An agent must have a valid convention membership.


Q: Do I need to send you proof of registration for Ad Astra?



Q: How does the Art Auction work?

A: At the artist’s discretion, a piece of art is entered in the silent auction with a minimum bid listed on the bidding sheet.  Please note that if the artist has specified that a piece is not for sale, then it will receive no bids.



A: If the artist has specified that a piece may be sold on Sunday for its listed minimum bid price, and if it has received no bids, then the bidding sheet becomes its price tag. Speak to a member of the art show staff if you are interested in making a purchase. Please note that works of art that are not marked as being eligible for sale on Sunday may not be purchased in this manner.


Q: How do I bid?



Q: I changed my mind, and I don’t want to bid on that piece after all. Can I cross it out?



Q: How does Quick Sale work?

A: At the artist’s discretion, a piece of art that is entered into the silent auction is given an additional pricing at which the piece can be purchased immediately, provided it has not received any silent auction bids. This option is valid for Saturday only. If a piece receives any silent auction bids, it is ineligible for Quick Sale; as soon as a piece is bought at Quick Sale (“Quick Sold”), it is removed from auction contention. Any attendee who wishes to purchase a piece through this method must still register as a bidder (although we can conduct the transaction first so you don’t lose your piece; we’ve got your back!) and pay for their purchase immediately.





Q: I’m attending Ad Astra on Saturday only and I won’t be able to pick up the piece that I won in the silent auction! What can I do?



Q: When can I pick up and pay for the artwork that I won during the silent auction?

A: Pickup of artwork is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, the hours during which the art show will be open to the public.


Q: I can’t make it back to art show by that time. What can I do?



Q: Am I allowed to take pictures/video inside the art show?

A: The taking of photography and video inside the art show is strictly prohibited. Exceptions can be granted for personnel with media badges only, who must check in at the Control Desk before recording within the art show, and must be accompanied by a member of the Gallery staff for the duration of their visit. We appreciate your cooperation.


Q: How can I contact the curator of the art show?
