The Art Show is a place where all the artisans of NDK can bring their creations and offer them up to the con attendees. You will often find a mixture of items from paintings and sculptures to photographs and new age art. Bring your wallet and joy of art, and you too may be able to take a piece of fabulous art home with you.

We want to see your Art!

To submit pieces, first, review the rules in the following sections and then fill out the applicable forms to bring to con:

• How to Bid (.pdf)
• Art Show Submission Rules (.pdf)
• Artist Registration Form 2016 (.pdf)

Art Show General Guidelines:

• No photography or filming are allowed in the Art Show at any time.
• Art Show bidding ends at 10:00 AM Sunday
• Art with 3 or more bids automatically enters the live auction on Sunday
• If you have the highest bid on a piece of art, you must pay for and pick it up by 3:30 P.M. on Sunday.  Art that is not paid for or left ehind will be returned to the artists.
• Accepted payment types for the duration of the weekend are cash, check and credit card.

Fees & Participation

• There is no fee for entering artwork.
• Nan Desu Kan receives a 15% commission from each sale sold through the art show.
• Participation in the show is open to any member of the convention staff, volunteer, or convention attendee.
• The Art Show at Nan Desu Kan is first-come, first-serve. Bring your entries early!
• Check program guide for hours.

Entries & Agent Information

• Art may only be entered by the artists, or by an agent acting on behalf of the artist.
• The agent information on the control sheet applies to any person who enters art on behalf of an artist, and/or picks up art on the artist’s behalf. We will not release any art to anyone other than the artists or the agent acting on behalf of the artist listed on the sign-in sheet.
• The Art Show Staff may ask for your ID (drivers license, state issued ID, passport, etc.) before releasing any artwork or funds to you. Please be ready to present your ID if asked!
• Any art that is not picked up by either the artist or the agent by 6:00 PM on Sunday will be discarded.

Terms for Entries

• Themes: Any art with themes in science fiction, horror, fantasy, and anime genres are welcome.
• Accepted Mediums: Drawing and Sketches; Paintings; CGI or digital; hand-created items including Needle Point, Knitting, Sculpture, Paper Craft, Casting, etc. Photography may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Previous Pieces: Artists are encouraged to submit new pieces each year. As such, there may be a 2 piece restriction for the number of entries displayed or sold at previous NDK Art Shows depending on space and availability.
• Hardware: The Art Show provides basic hardware to display on panel surfaces. The artist will need to supply any hardware or special apparatus for work that requires special care or display.
• Display:
• Flat or 2-D Entries must be mounted on firm backing, framed, matted, or made otherwise suitable for hanging.The Art Show staff has the right to refuse a piece determined unsuitable or unstable for display. For safety reasons, we will not allow submissions that contain glass that cannot be hung with hooks.
• 3D submissions cannot sit on the floor or lean unsupported against walls.
• Jewelry should be displayed on cloth or platforms that raise it from the table. You must supply your own display stands.
• The Art Show staff may grant exceptions for freestanding submissions. Please ask a staff member for details.
• Prints & Reproductions: Prints and reproductions are accepted, however only one copy of may be displayed for the duration of the show.

Artist Alley

Artists who have bought space in the Artists Alley may display or sell art in the Art Show as long as it meets the above criteria. However, we ask that the art you display is distinct from the pieces sold in the Artists Alley, either in media (such as showing an original versus a print), subject, or size. At least 50% of the art displayed in the Art Show must be for sale if you have space in the Artists Alley. For more information about reserving space in Artist Alley, see ndkdenver.org/activities/artists-alley for details.

Space & Availability

Due to limited space, the Art Show Staff reserves the right to limit the number of pieces or limit space based on availibility.

• Panels / 2-D: Each artist is allowed one 4ft x 4ft panel on which to hang their art, with a maximum of 20 pieces.
• Tables / 3D: For 3-D art, each artist is allowed a maximum display space of 2ft x 2ft area of a table with a maximum number of 20 pieces.
• Any large 3-D art pieces that will not fit within the designated space must be approved by the art show staff before the convention.

Swipes & Copyright

A swipe is a reproduction of a copyrighted work without permission of the artist, and is a copyright infringement. This can include copying or tracing official art, fan art, or screen shots. Any piece that is determined to be a swipe or an infringement on copyright will be removed from display and returned to the artist. This policy is effective for both Senior and Junior Artists.

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Art Show staff reserves the right to refuse any submissions depicting themes that exceeds “TEEN” rating. The ESRB defines “TEEN” rating as “content that is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.”

Selling Your Art

The artist must determine in advance the sale price of each piece. All art for sale must have either a Quick Sale Bid price, a Minimum Bid price, or both. Bids function similar to E-Bay bidding, and are as follows:

• Quick Bid: This is the “Buy It Now” price you will accept for a piece.
• Quick bids should be higher in price than the Minimum Bid.
• Quick Bid prices are not required, especially if you want to encourage higher bids or the chance to go to Live Auction.
• A piece sold for the Quick Bid is no longer eligible to go to Auction.
• A piece that has a written bid on the bid sheet is no longer eligible for sale at the Quick Bid price.
• Quick Bids must be paid for immediately and are generally taken by the buyer right away. However, the Art Show staff encourages the buyer to keep the piece through Sunday morning to still be eligible for the Art Show competition.
• Minimum Bid: The Minimum Bid price is the lowest amount you are willing to accept for the piece.
• Minimum Bid pieces will go to the highest bidder at the end of the Silent Auction on Sunday, 10am.
• Minimum Bid pieces cannot be paid for or picked up before the end of the Silent Auction.
• Minimum Bid pieces are not guaranteed a place in the Live Auction only those with 3 bids.

Pricing

Bid prices must be in whole dollar amounts. You cannot change the bid amounts once you have turned in your Art Control Bid Sheet to the staff. The piece displayed in the show must be the exact item you wish to sell, not a representation.

Not For Sale (“NFS”) Artword

You are not required to sell your art for it to be allowed in the art show. Please use the special “NFS” (Not For Sale) entry forms and bid tags for your entries.

Disclaimers

• Damage & Theft: The Art Show staff will safeguard all entries within the best of their ability. NDK also has full security staffed throughout the show to ensure the safety and protection of all convention participants. However, the Art Show staff, Nan Desu Kan, the hotel, and all organizational staff will not be held responsible for any damage or loss.
• Storage: Room permitting, we will attempt to make room to store any containers or folios used to transport art, only. You must speak with a staff member to obtain permission before doing so. Due to liability, we will not store luggage, food, goods bought at the convention, or any other kind of personal items. Any items that have not been cleared by a staff member will either be discarded or brought to Lost & Found.
• Handling & Displaying: Convention members are forbidden to touch, manipulate, or move any art work without prior permission from the staff or the artist. The Art Show Staff may handle, move, or reposition art pieces during the Art Show to maximize space for all entries, and to prepare pieces for the Live Action. Our staff are artists and art fans as well, and we take the greatest care to protect the art as much as possible.

If you witness any abuse or violation of these rules, please report the incident to the Art Show Staff immediately.

Awards are given for the following Art Show categories:

First Place 2-D
First Place 3-D

First Place Junior

Second Place (overall)

Third Place (overall)

Best in Show

Happun Award

Best In Show is voted by the convention attendees. Prizes and awards are determined at the convention and may be subject to change from year to year. Judges make a fair attempt to select winners that have not been previously selected (with the exception of Best In Show).

The IPMS/CoMMiES (International Plastic Model Society, chapter Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying Sci-Fi) happily sponsors the NDK model show again this year. In addition to the model show, we also sponsor and staff the Plastic Model Make & Take and the Paper Model (papercraft) Make & Take.

We want to share our love of model-building with you, and hope you catch the “fever”!

• Model Show Form (.pdf)

2021 Model Show Information:

Model intake:
Friday 2-6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 6 pm

Room Open to Public:
Friday – 2-6 pm
After hours build – 8 pm – 11 pm – bring a model and build with us

Saturday – 10 am – 6 pm
After hours build – 8 pm – 11 pm – bring a model and build with us

Sunday – 10 am – 4 pm

Judging:

Saturday 7-8 pm – winners will be announced Sunday morning

Entry pick-up:

Sunday 3-4 pm

Make & Take:
Video 2, just around the corner from the Model Show, on Sunday, from 11- 2 pm.

No Entry Fee

Participation in the show is open to all NDK attendees, Staff, and Volunteers.The Model Show at Nan Desu Kan is on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to bring in your entries early, and review the rules below!

Contest Rules

1. Please note that this is an anime con and select your entries accordingly. Science Fiction and Fantasy themed entries are welcome.
2. NDK is a family-oriented convention. Please, no entries that do not suit this audience.
3. If a model has placed at a previous NDK model contest, please do not enter it again.
4. Please be sure your entries will stand on their own on the display tables.
5. If there are enough entries in a category, the category may be split into two or more smaller categories.
6. Please pick up your entries, and any prizes you have won, during posted entry pick-up time on Sunday.

Disclaimer: NDK, the hotel & Con staff, and the IPMS/CoMMiES are not responsible for damage to or loss of entries. Although model show staff will safeguard entries to the best of their ability to reduce the possibility of damage or loss, accidents do happen.

Awards will be given in the following Model Show categories.

• 1st-3rd in each category, if number of entries permits
• Best Paper Model
• People’s Choice (based on voting by con-goers. Remember to vote!)
• BEOSWL (Best Example of Something We Like, a CoMMiES award)
• Judges’ Best of Show

Judging will be done Saturday after the show closes, and the judges will be selected prior to the show. All awards and prizes can be claimed when the entrants pick up their entries.

Contest Categories

Juniors

Modelers under the age of 18 have their own category.

Adults

Modelers age 18 and over

Mecha

robots & power suits. This category includes Super-Deformed, Gundam and MaK

Spaceship

real-space and science fiction space vehicles

Vehicle

atmospheric, ground and sea craft

Dekotora

Japanese art cars: semis, vans, cars and motorcycles decorated with chrome, lighting, murals, etc.

Creature

animals, dinosaurs, and monsters

Figure

human/humanoid beings

Anime Girl

representations of female anime characters

Painted Minis

single figures, groups of figures, and armies

Dioramas

judged in part by the strength of the theme or story

Due to the incredible generosity of our attendees, NDK has donated well over $195,000 to various charities to date:

2021: Stop AAPI Hate (Update! We raised over $15,000 for our 2021 charity!!!)

The Blue Bench, The Love Planet Foundation, Extra Life / Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals, Canine Companions for Independence , Denver Dumb Friends League, Colorado FIRST, Stomp out Bullying, Aurora Victim Relief Fund & American Heart Association, Japanese Red Cross for Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami Relief, We Heart Japan – Anime Industry Gives Back / Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) (Special Charity Event: NDK’s Rave 2 Save Japan), United Way Gulf Recovery Fund for Hurricane Katrina Relief, The Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), American Red Cross, Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Diabetes Association and Child’s Play.

To attend an 18+ panel or event, you must present a valid physical photo ID with your age on it to enter. We can’t accept pictures of IDs, High School Diplomas, texts from your mom swearing you’re 18, or Blockbuster membership cards. Sorry!  ID will be checked at the door to the 18+ designated events and panels. 

When the lights go down, some clothes come off, and characters come alive! Welcome back our friends from New Orleans, Royale Review burlesque troupe! Bringing to life characters from anime to fantasy to the big screen, this performance features dancers from all over South Louisiana. Be entranced by the more sensual side of some of your favorite characters.

Rules

• Photo ID required for entry.
• Keep in mind, burlesque is not stripping. It is sensual dance. There is no full nudity during these performances, however, some clothing will be removed.
• Attendees cannot touch any of the performers at any time, even if asked to come on stage to participate in any games.
• Due to COVID, cash tips cannot be accepted. Please watch for the codes to use to donate money digitally (i.e Venmo).  This also means food and drinks cannot be given to the performers.