Artists’ Alley
The concept of “Artists Alley” is not something new to the great conventions from abroad. The last decade has determined the development of this idea on an international level, transforming it in a recruitment area for big visual arts and graphics companies or those that publish comics. This concept was introduced for the first time in Romania in 2009 at the Nijikon Festival in Bucharest and, in 2012 in Cluj Napoca at Japan Play Transylvania, then since 2013 it was part of each edition of East European Comic Con.
Artists’ Alley is a special place for individual artists who wish to display their talents in drawing, graphics, painting, design.
Comic Con is here to help young artists and offers them a place where they can sell their own creations, meet fans and sign autographs. Due to the fact that the space on Artists’ Alley is limited, those who desire to take part in this activity must sign up either using the form below or send their CV and a portfolio containing their work at the below provided email, after which those selected will be contacted.
The Artists’ Alley is dedicated to those who want to sell their own creations which are comic book, anime-manga, superhero, Fan Art, Gaming, TV series and movie themed. Examples of products that are sold in this area: Comics, Posters, Prints, Pins, Shirts etc.
EECC provides all selected artists with a free space, each with an estimate of 2sqm (~1.2m wide x 1.8m depth ) or more, the artist only have to pay the price of the textile-walls, spotlight, access to electricity, table, chair and tablecloth.
Artists' Alley Registration Guidelines – East European Comic Con 2025
📍 Location: Arena Națională, Bucharest 📅 Event Dates: September 12–14, 2025
🗓️ Calendar:
- Portfolio Submission: May 16 – June 16 (23:59)
- Portfolio Review & Validation: June 16–18
- Registration for Validated Artists (Skip Selection / Selection): June 19–20
- Confirmation & Contract Signing: June 25–30
📝 Portfolio Review Form Availability
Starting May 16, artists can submit a portfolio showcasing only the artwork they plan to display and sell at Artists’ Alley.
Artists must also describe the products they intend to sell (e.g., posters, stickers, pins, printed T-shirts).
🔍 Portfolio Submission Guidelines
- Submission window: May 16 – June 16 at 23:59
- Submit as an individual – group submissions are allowed only if working on a common, printed comic book project.
- NO updates allowed after submission – editing the folder or its contents after submission will lead to disqualification.
- The deadline is strict – do not leave it for the last day. If time permits, we may review your portfolio earlier and send you the results in advance.
Important: Share the Google Drive folder with artists.alley {at} comic-con.ro or contact {at} comic-con.ro. ✔️ Double-check your submission before sending. Do not rush – make sure all info is correct!
🧐 About the Portfolio Review
This review is not a selection process – it is a mandatory quality check to ensure all work fits the event standards. It is intended to:
- Ensure the portfolio matches the artwork to be displayed/sold
- Filter out plagiarized, AI-generated, or low-effort content
- Verify that applicants are active artists
Why? Artists’ Alley spaces are partially subsidized by EECC, and we aim to support active, original artists.
✅ Portfolio Review Criteria
We will evaluate portfolios based on the following:
1. Thematic Relevance
- Only traditional and digital artwork is accepted
- NO handmade jewelry, digital embroidery, crochet, etc.
2. Minimum 30 Artworks
- All artworks must be labeled as:
[DD-MM-YYYY]_Artwork-01.jpg/png/jpeg - Include the creation date (start and finish if the piece took over 60 days)
- Only submit artworks that you plan to exhibit
- You cannot sell other artworks, unless they were created after the portfolio submission
3. Recent Activity
- At least 4 artworks created in 2025
- If you participated in April 2025, include at least 2 new artworks made after the April event (WIP allowed, but must be substantial—not just sketches)
4. Quality Standards
- Clean lines, proper coloring, and professional execution
- No AI-generated or traced artwork
- No plagiarized, copied, or overlaid characters
- No redrawn official characters or photomanipulations
5. Product Description
Each artist must list what types of products they intend to sell: Posters – Stickers – Pins – 👕 Printed T-shirts – 📚 Comic Books, Keychains, etc.
6. Visual Complexity
- Show effort, originality, and complexity
- Characters with detailed backgrounds are encouraged
- Portfolios lacking backgrounds or variety will not be disqualified, unless all artwork comprises backgroundless characters.
📤 After the Portfolio Review
If your portfolio is validated, you will receive a registration link on June 19 or 20. The email with the registration link will be sent 30 minutes before registration opens (no fixed hour) to ensure fairness.
🛣️ Two Registration Options
(A) Skip Selection
- First-come, first-served
- If you choose this option and register early, your spot is guaranteed (subject to availability)
(B) Selection Process
- Only 24 spots available
- Applicants are ranked based on: Artistic skill Originality Thematic relevance
- Comic book projects receive priority, but quality is essential
- Extremely Competitive: Up to 5 applicants per spot
💡 Portfolio Submission Tips
🔹 Only showcase work intended for Artists’ Alley – Please include only the artworks you plan to display and sell. Submitting unrelated pieces may hurt your chances of approval.
🔹 Remove Unrelated Art – We will cross-check submitted works against your planned booth display. Make sure everything aligns.
🔹 Respect Copyright & Originality You may create fan art inspired by games, anime, movies, or series as long as it’s in your own unique style.
❌ Do not:
- Replicate official characters identically!!!
- Use or submit official character images from the internet / traced over.
- Include or sell photographs of real people
🔹 Comic Book Projects Have Priority – If you’re selling a comic book volume or chapter, be sure to include sample pages or screenshots in your portfolio. 📚 This significantly improves your chances during the selection process but does not guarantee acceptance.
📅 Event Dates: April 25-27, 2025
📍 Location: Romexpo, Bucharest
Registration Timeline
- Portfolio Submission: February 24-28
- Portfolio Review: March 1-4
- Artist Selection: March 5-7
- Confirmation & Contract Signing: March 8-10
Registration Process
Artists interested in joining the Artists’ Alley at East European Comic Con 2025 must submit their portfolios for review between February 24-28.
- A registration form will be available starting 24th of February, where artists must upload a portfolio showcasing only the artwork they plan to display and sell at Artists’ Alley.
- Artists must also describe their planned products (e.g., posters, stickers, pins, printed T-shirts).
- The portfolio review is NOT a selection process but a mandatory quality check to ensure all participants meet the event’s standards.
- Artists are solely responsible for complying with Romanian legislation in force, whether related to fiscal practices or copyright laws. They must ensure they are aware of the legal requirements and take full responsibility for their compliance.
Portfolio Review Criteria
When reviewing submissions, we will check for the following:
✅ Recent Work – The portfolio must include artwork created within the last six months.
✅ Quality – Clean lines, proper coloring, and overall professional execution.
✅ No AI/Tracing – Artwork must be original, not AI-generated or traced from existing designs.
✅ Authenticity – No stolen artwork, including “pun stickers” copied from other artists.
✅ Thematic Relevance – Artists’ Alley is for traditional and digital art. Unfortunately, this excludes handmade jewelry and digital embroidery.
Registration Options
Artists can choose between two registration paths when submitting their portfolios:
(A) Skip Selection
- If an artist selects Skip Selection and passes the portfolio review, they will receive a contract to review and sign.
- Their spot at Artists’ Alley is guaranteed (subject to available space).
- If multiple artists pass the review and select Skip Selection, spots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on the portfolio submission order.
(B) Selection Process
- Artists choosing this option will be ranked based on artistic skill, originality, and thematic relevance.
- Only 24 spots are available. The top 24 artists will be selected based on a more detailed evaluation of their portfolio.
- Priority will be given to artists with original comic book projects (not just fan art of existing comics).
Portfolio Submission Tips
🔹 Update Your Portfolio – Showcase only the work you plan to exhibit at Artists’ Alley.
🔹 Remove Unrelated Art – We will verify that all submitted pieces align with your planned booth display.
🔹 Respect Copyright & Originality –
- You may draw characters from games, anime, movies, or series if the artwork is in your unique style.
- Do not replicate characters identically.
- Do not sell or submit official character images from the internet.
- Do not include or sell photographs of real people. 🔹 Comic Book Projects Have Priority – If you have created a comic book volume or chapter that you plan to sell at Artists’ Alley, include sample pages/screenshots—this will significantly boost your chances of selection.
