About the Art Show
The World Fantasy Convention 2026 (hereafter “WFC 2026″) Art Show is a traditional feature of the convention, and this year’s show will have a special focus on the work of our Artist Guest of Honor, Stephanie Law. We will also be featuring a special section honoring two beloved speculative fiction artists from the Bay Area, Freddie Baer, and Grant Canfield, in memoriam.
The WFC 2026 Art show is a juried room. You will need to apply to the Art Show, and if your work is accepted, you will be invoiced at the time of acceptance for your membership and show fees. Artists must be members of the WFC 2026 to participate, and purchasing a membership does not influence acceptance in the Art Show.
Regardless of when you are accepted, your membership fee will be $175. If you are not accepted, and wish to attend, your membership will be billed to you at the rate it was when you applied.
To request an application, please email artshow1@wfc2026.org
The Art Show features a wide selection of fantasy, horror, and science fiction artwork – whether it is original art commissioned for book covers, art books, interior illustrations, endpapers, prints, handmade sculpture, handcrafted jewelry, or tiaras, it’s a collection of some of the best in fantasy art. Originals and limited editions, mixed medium items, and other unique works will be for sale in the show itself. The Print Shop is where giclee prints, open edition prints, and your artwork produced as notebooks, greeting cards, stickers and patches, will be available.
In addition, the Saturday evening of the WFC 2026 features the Art Show Dessert Reception, where members and artists can enjoy an after-dinner chance to mingle, talk with the artists, bid on work, and purchase items from the Print Shop.
Our Art Show Liaison is Ajuan Mance. A long-time Professor of African American literature at Mills College in Oakland, California, she is currently a professor of English at the California College of Arts in San Francisco. Her art, comics, and illustrations have appeared in exhibitions, books, and periodicals across the U.S. and beyond. They may be reached at artshow1@wfc2026.org.
Art Show Fees
Art Show space is available in units of panels or half and full tables. Materials for hanging artwork will be provided by the convention, unless you have a particular type of hanging you have created to hold your work on the pegboard.
A 10% commission will be collected on all sales.
$30. Half Table with cover 1.5′ wide by 3′ long
$60. Full Table with cover 3′ wide by 6′ long
$60. One Panel 3′ wide by 4′ long
For Print Shop items, each design counts as one item, regardless of quantity.
$30. Print shop in addition to Panel or Full/Half Table fee
$60. Print Shop only, up to 20 items
$30. Additional Print Shop, up to 20 additional items
Requests for more than 6 units of space will be granted once jurying is closed and will depend upon availability. Such requests should be noted in your application.
Art Show & Print Shop Hours
Wednesday 10/21
- 10AM to 8PM Move in / Setup for Art Show
Thursday 10/22
- 8AM to Noon set up for Artists
- Noon to 6PM Art Show opens to WFC Members (All art must be hung, and bid sheets attached, by Noon)
Friday 10/23
- 9AM to 10AM early entry for Artists
- 10AM to 6PM Art Show open to WFC Members
Saturday 10/24
- 9AM to 10AM early entry for Artists
- 10AM to 6PM Art Show open to WFC Members
- 7:30PM to 9PM Art Show Dessert Reception for Members
- 9:30PM Art Show closes
Sunday 10/25
- 9AM to Noon Pickup of sold work
- 9AM to 10PM Artists pack up and load out
We anticipate payment to the artists, via PayPal or Venmo, will be made no later than November 6, 2026.
Artwork Guidelines
The WFC 2026 supports creators and their intellectual property. Absolutely no artwork items that are created with or by generative Artificial Intelligence systems will be allowed.
- Artwork must meet the following criteria to be eligible: Artwork should have a fantasy, science fiction, horror, dark fantasy, or fantastical theme. Unrelated works may be submitted as long as the majority of your artwork reflects this theme.
- Work you submit must be your own artwork—that is, designed and executed by you, the artist. If it is a collaborative effort, the other artist must be credited.
- No plagiarized images, trademarked images, copyright violations, or other illegal uses will be allowed in the show.
- No faux or reproduction weapons are allowed; this includes knives, guns, swords, or other recognizable weaponry
- No hand-colored versions of others’ designs will be accepted.
- If you have permission to use a trademarked image (example: media portraits of recognizable trademarked characters), please furnish documentation to this effect with your application.
- Graphic images of disturbing horror, explicit sexuality, and/or violence are not acceptable. (note: simple nudity itself does not constitute “explicit sexuality”).
- All types of art media are acceptable.
- Please specify your medium/media accurately on application, as that is the information that will be on the bid sheet.
- If you need any kind of extra accommodation for display, such as a power hookup, or special lights, please note that in your application.
- Jewelry must be handmade, cast, carved, or created with other materials to the artist’s own design. Storebought items and 3-D created items that are not your own original work will not be allowed. Please keep in mind the Fantasy theme of the convention.
- Fiber arts are allowed, in the manner of quilts, scarves, shawls, wall-hangings, and embroidery. Clothing, such as pants, shirts, or dresses, is not allowed. Please keep in mind the Fantasy theme of the convention.
- Multiple originals (etchings, woodcuts, serigraphs, original prints individually hand‐colored by the artist, etc.) should be reserved for the Main Display only.
- Open-edition reproduction prints, giclee prints in quantity, lithograph or print editions in multiples are restricted to the Print Shop. If you have notebooks, stickers, buttons, or patches of your artwork, you may also sell those here.
- Signed, numbered, limited edition reproduction prints may be displayed in either area.
- PLEASE NOTE: do not submit artwork created with food, having a scent or perfume, or anything excessively messy – make sure your paint or other medium is dry!
- All artwork displayed, within the Main Display or Print Shop, must be for sale.
- The sole exceptions to this rule are the Artist Guest of Honor, Stephanie Law, and the In Memoriam Displays for Freddie Baer and Grant Canfield.
If you are interested in selling your own your art books, you may either purchase table space in the Art Show, or you can contact J. Scott Coatsworth, Liminal Fiction, at scott@mongooseontheloose.com, to enquire about placing books at the consignment table in the Dealers Room.
If you have any questions about any of these eligibility requirements, please email Art Show at info@wfc2026.org.
Sales Tax Information
Artists themselves are solely responsible for collecting and sending sales tax to the State of California. Members buying any artwork will be charged City of Oakland sales tax on their purchases. Along with payment, the WFC 2026 will remit a receipt to the artist listing their sold artwork and the sales tax charged, for the Artist’s records.
The current combined sales tax rate in Oakland, California, is 10.75%, which includes the state, county, and local district taxes.
Neither the World Fantasy Convention 2026, San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc., the World Fantasy Board, the co-chairs Rina Weisman and Audrey Williams, or the Art Show Liaison are responsible for any debts incurred by any artists during the time they are selling at the 2026 World Fantasy Convention.