epic conned

Ok so I’m an artist who, when finding out about the con, naturally wanted to get a table to share my Stranger Things art with other fans. I inquired and I was told, “We aren’t having any but one or two of our own artist people because of the venue’s limited space.”

Ok cool. Kinda weird but whatever.

Couple months later I’m looking at their FB page and I see someone asking about art tables at the October GA show. They posted a link for them and me, being the nosey person I am lol, went and clicked it. Lo-and fucking-behold it was a vendor app for the Upside Down Con. So for shiggles I applied. I showed examples of my artwork and told them in the notes section that I would have an ENTIRELY Stranger Things themed booth (like lights and other decorations) and I would sell no other fandoms to keep on theme. (For context I sell shirts, tote bags, hair accessories and keychain accessories. I have TONS of ST themed fabrics and I love making totes that you can still carry in cosplay as they are on theme and look as if they are ads for the various shops like Starcourt Mall and Family Video)

Two WEEKS before the con I get a rejection email. 😐

I get there for my badge on Friday and I had to exchange my Dacre (Billy) autos I had since he cancelled his appearance. I got another Maya (Robin)for my friend and a Gabriella (Suzie) for myself. There was a $10 leftover amount and the lady doing the exchange says “We can’t refund you that. We have no way to refund you.” Mind you with a cash box in front of them. Whatever. It’s $10. (In hindsight this was definitely a red flag that something was up)

I go out and see artists with PLENTY of space to fit more. They had completely snubbed LOCAL artists to bring in their contracted in artist besties. 😒 one of which was selling Temu stuff and jacking up the price of the $14.99 ST Squishmallows to $100. (But it’s ok for her to do it apparently because she was the sister in law of a famous vampire guy (and she let everyone know on her sign lol!)) There were two embroidered shirt vendors and one who admittedly had the best stuff way at the end. Not much variety for a show for fans right? I was at least expecting some actual drawn art at least…

But the venue…oh the venue. Felt like being in a High School gym for picture day the whole time.

No theming whatsoever. Just a huge money grab.

Myself and a few others expressed how we felt and we got gaslit by the show’s fans and a lot of our comments got deleted because they were seen as “negative” towards the show’s runners when we were showing everyone their true intentions.