JordanCon 2018 will be the tenth JordanCon and the seventh year for the Art Show. For those of us who have been with the convention since JordanCon 1, it's hard to believe we're at year 10 already. The last decade has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences, treasured friendships and continual inspiration.
During the past seven years our artists have helped raised almost $6000 for Mayo Clinic's Amyloidosis Research fund, between Art Show sales, Charity Art Jam auctions, and our own special brand of "shenanigans," (on top of what the other Charity Events raise every year). Our Guests of Honor have included a Who's Who list of award-winning artists: Sam Weber, Michael Whelan, Larry Elmore, Todd Lockwood, John Picacio, and in 2017, the gracious and talented, Stephen Hickman. We've also been blessed with an equally amazing pool of returning artists who bring us a beautiful Art Show each year and who generously lend their time and talents to our Art Track, a full programming track of art-related panels, workshops and demonstrations that runs throughout the weekend.
But rest on our laurels, WE. WILL. NOT. But what we WILL do is return to where we began. Or almost.
JordanCon is too big now to return to our first and second hotels, and most certainly our Art Show and Dealer Hall alone could fill the entirety of our first hotel. But for JordanCon 2 (SeanCon) and JordanCon 3, we were at the Crowne Plaza at Ravinia, which is our host hotel for 2018. Back then, we occupied the rooms along a single hallway, but I remember looking with much longing over at the large ballroom and convention space across the lobby. "If only," I thought, "we were big enough for that."
But sometimes dreams *do* come true. And this year, the Art Show, Dealer Hall, and Charity Auction will all be in the Ravinia Ballroom, giving us more room to grow into our next few years. Our programming tracks alone will take up the entirety of the hallway that *used* to house the entirety of JordanCon. And we'll still be spilling over into additional ballrooms and spaces all over the hotel. So if you've been wondering why we were all so excited about returning to this hotel for our tenth year, now you know. And now you also understand why JordanCon 10 is aptly named SeanCon 2: The Return.
To further celebrate this dream come true, we're thrilled to showcase the dream-like art of our Artist Guest of Honor, Stephanie Law. You can find out more about Stephanie's evocative work and her approach to art here on the site.
In addition to the work of our Guest of Honor, our show will once again showcase beautiful work from many artists, including licensed Wheel of Time artists whose work you already know and love. Most of the artists whose work is on display will be present at the convention and many will be talking about - or demonstrating - their work in JordanCon's Art Tack. In the Art Show itself, you can bid on original artwork that is for sale in our silent auction or buy a print of a special piece in the Print Shop. As in previous years, we will be awarding a Judges' Choice award during JordanCon 2018, as well as three People’s Choice awards selected by the attendees of JordanCon. Don't forget to vote!
If you'd like to participate as an artist in our show, follow our Facebook page and this site for an official announcement when Art Show space is available for purchase.
We sincerely hope you will join us in celebrating ten years of JordanCon at SeanCon 2: The Return.
Art Demonstrations/Workshops
Now is the time to tell us what you liked, didn't like, and would like to see again at JordanCon next year. Contact us at artshow@jordancon.org if you have an idea for art-related programming. And if you'd be interesting in presenting or participating in art-related programming, we'd love to know that too. We've already begun drafting next year's schedule, so don't be shy!
Art Show Blog
To keep up with the latest news regarding the JordanCon Art Show, tips and tricks for buying or selling art, or what our artists are up to throughout the year, don't forget to check out the Art Show Blog here on the site.
About the JordanCon Dealer Hall
The JordanCon Dealer Hall is where you can buy all sorts of unique items and merchandise. From leather gauntlets to unique handmade jewellry, books to officially licensed merchandise from The Wheel of Time®, our Dealer Hall is one JordanCon experience you definitely won't want to miss. So make sure you schedule a stop there between panels.
Our Dealer Hall is located in the same ballroom as the Art Show and operates under the same hours:
- Friday, April 20, 2018: Artist and Dealer check-in is from 10 AM until 2 PM. The Hall opens to JordanCon attendees at 2:30 PM on Friday and closes promptly at 7 PM.
- Saturday, April 21, 2018: Hall is open from 10 AM - 7 PM. Dealers and their helpers may enter when the Art Show/Dealer Hall staff is present, usually about 9 AM. The Hall opens to general convention attendees at 10 AM.
- Sunday, April 22, 2018: Hall is open from 10 AM – 2:30 PM. Dealers and their helpers may enter when the Art Show/Dealer Hall staff is present, usually about 9 AM. The Hall opens to general convention attendees at 10 AM. Please ensure you have picked up your convention t-shirt, and picked up and paid for any art show auctions, dealer purchases or charity auction items prior to 2:30 PM.
If you'd like to participate as a JordanCon Dealer, follow our Facebook page and this site for an official announcement when Dealer tables are available for purchase.
We hope to see you next April!
