Artist Alley

At conventions, there are a couple of different places where vendors can set up and sell. The Dealers Den is designed for bigger vendors, with fixed hours and assigned tables. The Artist Alley is just for artists and crafters, with a more flexible setup, and is limited to people selling their own handmade or original work.

For attendees, the Artist Alley is a chance to explore a wide variety of artists and crafters. Over the years, vendors have offered everything from classic sketchbook commissions and custom badges to steampunk jewelry and etched glassware. The Alley opens each day alongside the Dealers Den, but unlike the Den, many artists keep creating and selling well into the night.

Reserved Artist Alley Spaces

A limited number of Artist Alley spaces will be allocated prior to the convention. Applications for these spaces must be submitted through the Dealers Den application process.

• Cost and Duration: Reserved spaces are $60 each and are available for the full weekend only. Single-day reservations will not be offered.
• Assignment: Approved applicants will be allotted a space for the full weekend. This eliminates the need to participate in the daily lottery.
• Rules and Compliance: All existing Artist Alley policies remain in effect, including restrictions on permitted merchandise, use of electrical power outlets, and the requirement to clear your space at the close of each day.
• Full weekend artists may store their display and merchandize in the dealer room provided the following:
  • The items are placed in the dealers room between the time the dealer room closes to the public and before the dealer room closes for dealers (approximately one hour after closing to the public)
  • The items are not needed overnight and can not be retrieved until the dealer room opens in the morning for the dealers for setup (approximately an hour before the dealer room opens to the public).
  • The items are removed from the dealer room at least 15 minutes before dealer room opens to the public
  • Failure to comply with the above might mean your access to this privilege is revoked in the future.

Transfer of Use

An assigned space may be temporarily used by another individual. The original assignee must notify Artist Alley staff of the substitution to ensure the alternate seller has submitted the required tax documentation. Temporary transfers are intended for partial absences (e.g., choosing not to sell on a specific day), and not to be used to resell a space.

Restrictions

• Full-weekend transfers and resale of reserved spaces are strictly prohibited.
• Reserved spaces are non-transferable outside of the partial-use flexibility described above.
• If an assignee must cancel prior to the convention, they must contact Artist Alley staff to arrange a refund.

Applying

Because Artist Alley and the Dealers Den share a lot of overlapping information, we use a single application form for all related areas: Artist Alley, Standard Dealers Den, Adult Dealers Den, and the AD Rodeo. It’s also common for vendors who are not placed in the Dealers Den to consider selling in the Artist Alley instead.

Simply mark any and all areas you’d like to be considered for when you apply.

Quick FAQ for Artists

• The price for an artist alley seat is $20/day (or $60/weekend if you are selected for a full weekend spot)
• Details about the space layout are below.
• If not selected for a full weekend slot, signup for Artist Alley is available at the Convention only; it cannot be done ahead of time. Full details here.
• To sell in the Artist Alley, you must have a Texas Sales Tax Permit on file with us. You may apply for it here.
• You may submit your Texas Sales Tax Permit and fill out your Artist Alley signup form here. Please note: you still must appear during the lottery signup times to claim your entry unless you have a full weekend spot.
• There is a limit on what can be sold in the Artist Alley. See full list.

At Furry Fiesta, all sales and business need to take place within the Dealers Den or Artist Alley. If sales are happening outside these areas—such as at random tables—we’ll kindly ask you to stop. Please keep in mind that continuing to sell outside approved spaces may result in losing access to the Artist Alley or Dealers Den, and in serious cases, could even affect your attendance at the convention.

How Artist Alley Works

Being part of the Alley is pretty simple! Here’s the basics:

• If you weren’t pre-selected for a full weekend spot, just bring your Texas sales tax permit and sign up for a seat on one (or more) convention days.
• Be sure to check the schedule below for signup times and deadlines.
• If there are more seats than applicants, we’ll still hold a lottery to decide seating order—but everyone will get a spot, and any extras will be made available throughout the day.
• If there are more applicants than seats, a lottery will determine who gets a seat (and seating order).

Please remember: This is just a summary. Be sure to read the full rules below for all the details.

Once you have your seat, it’s yours for the day (and overnight, if you wish). However, you must fully clean up and vacate your space by the following morning. Anything left behind will be placed in Lost & Found.

Need a break for food, sleep, or to catch a panel? No problem—your seat is still yours. Just keep in mind that Alley staff can’t be responsible for items left unattended while you’re away.

After the Dealers Den closes, unused seats may be temporarily shared with other artists. If you return, your spot is still yours, and you’ll have first choice to reclaim it.

Complete Artist Alley Rules

The following rules govern participation in the Artist Alley at Texas Furry Fiesta. All participants are expected to read and follow these policies in full. Failure to comply may result in loss of Artist Alley privileges, removal from the Dealers Den or Artist Alley, or removal from the convention.

1. Texas Sales Tax Permit

• All artists selling items must collect Texas state sales tax (8.25%).
• No sales may occur without a valid Texas Sales Tax Permit on file with Furry Fiesta Vendor Relations. Permits must be submitted either to the Alley Lead or Dealers Den staff.
• Artists who file a permit with Vendor Relations will receive an “Artist” ribbon, which must be affixed to their badge at all times while conducting business.
• Sales tax permits are available free online: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/.
• Tax permit information may be submitted in advance using the official submission form.

2. Seat Assignment & Lottery

• Pre-Assigned Seats: Artists selected for a full-weekend space are not required to participate in the daily lottery.
• Lottery Process:
  • A lottery system is used when demand exceeds available seating.
  • To enter, artists must complete Artist Alley registration (online or in person) and submit a valid Texas Sales Tax Permit.
  • Signups occur at the Artist Alley operations table, located outside the Dealers Den on the first floor. Attendance during the signup period is required to enter.

Friday:

• Signup for daily artist slots: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
• Seating for full weekend artist: 10 AM
• Lottery and seating for daily artists: 10:30 AM. Artists must be present to accept their seat. Absent artists are skipped.

Saturday & Sunday:

• Signup for daily artist slots: open until the Dealers Den closes the prior evening.
• Lottery results posted on-site and on social media that evening.
• Seat claim for selected daily artists: 9:30 AM. Artists must be present; absent artists are skipped. Any unclaimed seats at 10:30 AM will be redistributed via a last-chance lottery.

Daily Artist Priority Rule: For Saturday, artists who entered but were not selected for a seat on Friday will be prioritized for the Saturday’s draw. For Sunday, artists who have yet to be selected for a day (either Friday or Saturday) will be prioritized for Sunday’s draw. Artists who did not claim a seat that they were selected for do not qualify.

Last Chance Lottery: If an artist that was selected for a space on Saturday or Sunday in the previous evening’s lottery fail to show up and claim their seat by 10:30 AM, they forfeit their space. Any unclaimed spaces will be lotteried off at that time. Signup for that lottery will start immediately after the completion of the seating for the day (starting at 9:30 AM) If an artist is interested in joining the last chance lottery, please come to the Artist Alley operations table to signup. Artists wishing to be in the last chance lottery must be present at 10:30 for the lottery. If the artist’s number is called and they aren’t present, they will be skipped. Priority rules do not apply for the last chance lottery.

3. Seat Ownership & Priority

• Upon payment, each artist becomes a paid artist for that day, expiring at 6 AM the following day (with the exception of Sunday, which expires at the close of the dealer room).
• Only paid artists may sell while the Dealers Den is open.
• Paid artists may reclaim their seat at any time during the day. Others occupying the space must vacate immediately upon request.
• Disputes should be referred to the Artist Alley Coordinator or Security.
• On Sunday, all selling ends with the close of the Dealers Den. After-hours selling is not permitted.

4. Eligibility

• Minors: Texas sales tax permits cannot be issued to minors. A parent/guardian or other adult must hold the permit on their behalf. A signed letter of permission is required if the permit holder does not attend.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: A valid U.S. Social Security Number or EIN is required to obtain a Texas sales tax permit.

5. After-Hours Use

• Only paid artists may sell while the Dealers Den is open.
• After-hours (Friday and Saturday nights only), unoccupied seats may be used by other ribboned artists or dealers, provided all Alley rules are followed.
• Sunday after-hours sales are prohibited.

6. Conduct & Liability

• Artists must comply with all tax laws and Furry Fiesta policies.
• Artists are liable for any damage to hotel property or equipment. Damage fees assessed by the hotel are the responsibility of the artist.
• Modification of hotel property (e.g., drilling, gluing, painting) is prohibited.
• Artists must keep their space clean and free of trash. Excessive mess will be addressed by staff.
• All items, including racks and displays, must be removed at the end of each day, even by full weekend artists. As the area is insecure, any item left behind may be taken to Lost & Found.

7. Space Layout & Display Rules

• Standard table size: 4 feet wide x 28 inches deep.
• Each space includes one chair. Additional chairs require prior approval.
• Only one person may sit behind a table at a time.
• Displays must be stable, of reasonable height, and not obstruct neighboring artists or aisles.
• Signs may only be displayed on the table or table front. Attaching to walls, floors, or extra stands is prohibited.
• Power outlets are not available for individual use. A shared power strip will be available for limited use (e.g., laminators). Artists may use external batteries for personal equipment.
• Merchandise and displays must remain within the assigned table space. Stock may be stored under or behind the table if it does not interfere with traffic flow.

8. Permitted & Prohibited Goods

All items sold in the Artist Alley must be either made directly by the artist selling the item or produced with works created by the artist selling the item. An artist may not sell items that are works of others nor may act as an agent for other artists.

• Permitted: Original art, badges, handmade crafts, costumes, self-mixed candles/soaps/incense, home-made plush, artist-created media (prints, books, comics, jewelry, pins, etc.).
• Not Permitted: Glow sticks, commercial food items, mass-produced plush, resale items, multi-level marketing products (e.g., Avon, Scentsy), or media not solely created by the artist.
• Prohibited Items (non-exhaustive):
  • AI-generated artwork, where the artwork is based on other artists’ work. This does not preclude the use of filters or other artistic tools that might incorporate AI or ML on works created by the artist.
  • Weapons or firearms.
  • Alcohol.
  • Flammable/incendiary goods (except candles/incense).
  • Homemade food not produced in FDA/health-inspected facilities.
  • Any item prohibited by Texas Furry Fiesta, the City of Dallas, or the State of Texas.

9. Adult Material

• Adult material is permitted but must be fully censored/obscured to prevent access by minors.
• Required censorship: genitalia, female nipples, bodily fluids. Comedic censoring is acceptable if it provides full coverage.
• Applies to all media types (print, digital, video, audio, 3D objects, etc.).
• Loose art or binders must be censored page by page.
• Artists are responsible for checking ID if a customer appears under 18. Minors have distinct badges, but verification is the artist’s responsibility.
• Artists must provide their own censoring materials.

10. Raffles

Raffles of any kind are prohibited under Texas state law, regardless of whether money is exchanged.

11. Removal of Goods

Furry Fiesta staff reserve the right to require the removal of any item deemed inappropriate for sale or display.

12. Good Business Practices

Artists are expected to maintain professional standards, including:

• Providing customers with contact information (e.g., business cards, receipts).
• Following through on commissions, especially if payment has been accepted.
• Returning customer-owned items (e.g., sketchbooks) in a timely manner.
• Avoiding practices that may be considered deceptive or exploitative.

For Attendees:

• Always obtain your artist’s contact information, including badge name.
• Include your own contact details inside sketchbooks or commission items.

13. Convention Policies

All general Furry Fiesta convention policies apply in addition to these rules.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Email us at artistalley@furryfiesta.org