Art Show Rules

Artists are invited to reserve space to exhibit original artworks of an anthropomorphic nature as well as science fiction, fantasy and/or fannish bent.

Art Show Areas

General Gallery: Features original artwork depicting subjects or material suitable for all ages.
Mature Gallery: Original artwork depicting mature subject matter. This area is monitored to exclude minors. Art meeting the criteria for MPAA movie ratings of "R" or higher must be displayed in the Mature Gallery. Items depicting sexual acts involving children or beings that appear to be children, exclusively human subjects, human-like beings, and/or non-anthropomorphic animals, are prohibited from submission or display.

Note: The examples above are guidelines, and shall not be considered all-inclusive or absolute. The Art Show director reserves final decision and discretion whether and/or where a piece may be displayed.

Permissable Artwork

All entries of original art must be your own work. All print entries (photoprints, serigraphs, lithographs, laserprints, or other multiple-copy items) must be based on your own work and not exceed a print run of 1,000.
AI-generated art, whether whole or in part of the final product, is not permitted within the show. AI art used as reference material is acceptable, as long as the entirety of the piece is recreated by the artist. Anyone presenting AI art as their own will be barred from showing in future years.
You may enter collaborative works for which you contributed a significant effort, as long as you have permission from all other involved artists, and credit them accordingly.
All flat art must be matted and backed at a minimum. Flat art may also be framed, or otherwise mounted, ready to hang upon arrival. Framed works must have a wire for hanging. ALL work submitted must be marked on the back with the artist’s name and the name of the piece.
The Art Show recommends small works (flat or 3-D) are submitted with a case to hold the item as to safeguard from damage or theft. The Art Show may have a limited number available on a first come, first served basis.
Only single copies of prints will be allowed in the Art Show. Any item created using a computer or other method which can be used to produce multiple copies (e.g., photography, screen printing) must indicate "PRINT" as the medium description on the item's bid sheet. This requirement is waived if the item is accompanied by a statement from the artist affirming that it is a unique work and that no further copies will be made. Hand-colored prints are considered original art.

Display Space

The Art Show uses a steel commercial 2-foot by 6-foot metal grid hanging system for hanging art and folding 3-foot by 30-inches tables for 3-D art. All items must be presented in Art Show designated display spaces. Special display fixtures are permitted at the sole discretion of the Art Show director, subject to additional restrictions or exclusion by venue management, fire marshals, or other public safety officials. Special hanging fixtures require advanced permission from the Art Show director.

Space Waitlist

After the show is fully booked, partially-granted requests or late reservations will be held as “pending.” If someone cancels their reservation before the con, the space will be reassigned in order of request. Artists who cancel their reservations are not allowed to pass or reassign space to others, as doing so is unfair to other artists waiting for space.

Should space be returned at the convention, the Art Show will keep a list of artists requesting additional space and assign if possible.

Agents

If you cannot attend, you may be represented by an agent at the convention. An agent is someone you authorize to act on your behalf in dealing with the Art Show at the convention. They will bring, hang and pick up your artwork, do your paperwork, etc.—i.e., perform the normal duties and accept the responsibilities you would if you were present.

Typically, an agent is a trusted individual planning to attend the convention. One person can act as an agent for several artists. There is no set limit to the number of artists an agent can represent, but remember, it takes time to hang the art and do the paperwork: allow at least 30 minutes per panel or table.

If you will be represented by an agent, you must provide your agent with a signed letter of authorization to present at the Art Show. Your agent must purchase a membership in order to be admitted to the convention, and must be prepared to show id at the Art Show. You may send this information later if you have not yet found an agent, but we must receive it by November 24, 2025, and your agent must have FurFest membership before November 24, 2025.

Mail-In Service

Limited space is available for mail-in art. Mail-in service is only available for artists in the United States. MFF is unable to act as a customs agent, broker, or provide clearance services or assistance.

To participate as a mail-in artist you will need to register as such, and ship your art to an address to be provided prior to the convention. All art must be shipped via trackable means, and include a prepaid label to return any unsold items.

Mail-in artists must also provide a signed authorization form with the mailed-in art. Art received without this form will not be displayed in the show and Art Show fees will not be refunded.

Mail-in packages must be received no later than Monday, November 24th, 2025. The mail-in address will be provided to all approved mail-in artists prior to this.

Preparation & Check-In

Every piece must be labeled with its distinct and descriptive title, piece number and the artist’s name.
Each piece must be entered in the art registration system, preferably·prior to the start of the convention. A link to the art registration system is provided with your space confirmation email.
All items for sale must have a minimum bid of at least $1, and all prices must be in whole-dollar amounts. This includes quick sale prices, which we recommend be higher than your minimum bid.
Any art missing complete paperwork will not be accepted for entry.
You may decorate your space with display material (not for sale), e.g. an illustrated nameplate, examples of published works, etc.
All artwork must be able to withstand reasonable amounts of handling, such as hanging and relocation for voice auction. Please do not bring or send items which are not adequately protected or which may break upon handling.
MFF does not accept any responsibility for your artwork until the Artist Check-in Forms have been checked and signed by a crew member. Please return to the artist check-in desk when you have finished hanging your artwork to complete the check-in process.
Once an item has been entered in the Art Show, it may not be withdrawn, nor may the conditions of sale (i.e., minimum bid) be changed without the consent of the Art Show Director.
MFF does not provide insurance coverage for items entered in the show. While the Art Show takes measures to protect your art, we recommend you verify that your insurance coverage extends to display in the show.
To protect your rights, photography is not permitted in the Art Show, except by staff–escorted photojournalists who have received permission from the Art Show Director. Please indicate on your reservation form if you will allow your work to be photographed by photojournalists, and/or if you will allow your artwork to be displayed on panels visible from the entrance to the Art Show, where it may appear in images taken in the convention hall. While the Art Show takes measures to prevent photography or videography, there is no guarantee your items will not be photographed. In addition, the Art Show reserves the right to take photographs of your panel or table setup for administrative purposes.

Limitations on Artwork Accepted for Display and Sale

Artwork for sale should depict your own original characters, unless you have written permission from the character’s owner (copyright holder), or:

The work is obviously a parody. Parodies must ridicule the original work, must not use more of the original work than is necessary to evoke thoughts of the original in the viewer’s mind; and must not directly affect the market value of the original work (no one should be willing to buy the parody as a substitute for the original).
Except for parodies, artwork depicting trademarked characters may not be offered for sale. Works found to contain unauthorized depictions of others' intellectual property may be removed from display or marked "Not For Sale" by the Art Show director upon request from rights holders or their representative.

Midwest Furry Fandom prohibits the sale or offer for sale of items that reproduce third parties' intellectual property at Midwest FurFest, without the express written permission from the owner. Midwest Furry Fandom reserves the right to require the removal of any articles that violate intellectual property policies. Failure to comply with these policies may include revocation of Art Show display privileges, revocation of membership, ejection, or other remedies as determined by Midwest Furry Fandom.

Prohibited articles include but are not limited to:

Unlicensed depictions of characters appearing in third parties' movies, TV shows, books, sound recordings, still images sculptures or any other media.
Fan art depicting others’ intellectual property.
Counterfeit goods.
Any other articles that Midwest Furry Fandom deems in violation of these policies.

Interpretation and enforcement of these policies is at Midwest Furry Fandom's sole discretion.

Auctioning & Sales

Items may be sold in one of four ways:

Quick Sale: Any item with a quick sale price and no bids may be purchased for the quick sale price any time after 2 PM on Saturday.
Silent Auction, General and Mature Gallery: Items receiving seven (7) or fewer written bids by 7 PM Saturday are sold to the highest bidder on the bid sheet.
Voice Auction, Mature Gallery: Items in the mature gallery receiving eight (8) or more written bids by 7 PM Saturday will go to voice auction that evening.
Voice Auction, General Gallery: Items in the general gallery receiving eight (8) or more written bids by 7 PM Saturday will go to voice auction Sunday morning.

The bid threshold for voice auction may be modified by the Art Show director prior to the start of the Art Show. Any change will be announced at that time.

All times are subject to change. Any changes are publicized as widely as practical. Art Show signage will display the schedule in effect.

Art sales do not include reproduction rights.

Non-Performing Bidders

Items won at silent or voice auction, but not paid for and collected by the winning bidder, may be purchased at the winning bid price by Midwest FurFest at its sole discretion, so that artists may be paid promptly. Midwest FurFest will attempt to contact the high bidder and collect payment; anyone who fails to honor their monetary obligations will not be allowed to participate in future Midwest FurFest Art Shows, and will be denied membership at all future Midwest FurFest conventions until payment is made. Items purchased by Midwest FurFest may be resold, donated to charity, or other disposition as it deems appropriate.

Check-Out & Payment

Artist checkout hours are Noon to 5 PM Sunday; please arrange to have your items out of the Art Show before the end of Artist Checkout so that we may begin disassembling the display equipment. You may authorize someone else to pick up your artwork, but you must notify us of this in person in advance. The Art Show will provide an authorization form which must then be presented by the person picking up your artwork and/or payment.

The Art Show reserves the right to remove items from its display space in order to expedite the tear-down process if you or your representative do not make a timely appearance. Midwest FurFest will not be held responsible for artwork lost, stolen or damaged in transit; or non-mail-in items not picked up by the closing of the show. Mail-in items will be returned according to the instructions given in the artist’s registration.

If you must leave the convention before artist checkout, please notify the Art Show Director as soon as you know your plans so we may make necessary arrangements.

Artists or their agents are typically paid during artist checkout on Sunday. If payment is not made Sunday, artists will be paid as soon as is practical.

Remaining items for mail-in artists will be shipped within three business days after the convention ends. Any payment due will be included with returned items. If all items are sold, payment, your checkout receipt, and pre-paid return tag will be sent via postal mail.

Fees & Commissions

Panels are 2ft by 6ft metal grid for $10 each.
Tables are 3ft by 30 inches for $20 each.
Mailed-in items are assessed a $20 processing fee for a maximum of 6 spaces. Additional spaces will incur an additional charge of $10 per two spaces ( table or panel in either gallery).
Payments for items sold are made by corporate check as possible. International Artists should look for an email with additional options closer to convention. Midwest FurFest reserves the right to withhold funds previously owed to Midwest FurFest from any payment due the artist.

Art Show Hours

We strongly urge you to check in as early as possible. The longer your work is on display, the more bidding action it is able to receive.

View the schedule on the main art show page.

Contact Information

Artshow Director: Hugmonster
Email: artshow@furfest.org
Telegram: @Hugmonster
Phone: 216-202-4841 — please leave a message or text.

Art Show registration is closed for 2025.