Join us in Artists’ Alley!

DeviantART is once again heading to Comic-Con International: San Diego! This year, we’re offering six scholarships to emerging comic artists to attend San Diego Comic-Con 2012 as guests of deviantART.

Who should apply?

We're looking for artists who have always dreamt of going to Comic-Con and who want to make the most of the experience. Applicants must be serious about attending Comic-Con and must be willing and able to come to San Diego, California between July 12 through 15.

The chosen artists will spend one day at Comic-Con, where they will be able to show their portfolio in Artists' Alley. When not showcasing their work, scholarship recipients will be able to cruise the convention floor, attend panels, and introduce themselves to prominent artists in the industry, with a chance to pick their brains and gain artistic inspiration right from the source.

The six recipients will each receive:

• Round-trip airfare to San Diego, CA from their home base
• 2 nights hotel accommodations in San Diego
• Day pass to Comic-Con
• A $50 per diem for food and other expenses for two days

This is a special opportunity available only through deviantART’s sponsorship of Artists’ Alley. Only talented and committed artists should apply.

Who is an “emerging” comic artist?  Someone who has not yet hit their full stride as a semi-professional or professional artist but who is fully committed to pursuing a career as an artist.

How do I apply?

All applicants will be reviewed via a deviantART Portfolio.  If you have not made a Portfolio previously, check out this journal for instructions on how to create one.  Membership to deviantART is required to make a Portfolio.

Your Portfolio must contain:

• Only one Gallery of up to 18 images selected from your existing work.  All other galleries will not be considered.
• Your contact information, including your full name, email, and city and country of residence.
• A very brief description of why you're an emerging artist and why we should choose you for the sponsorship.  Insert this description in the Artist’s Bio page in the Portfolio.
• Your resume or CV, noting your educational and art experience.  Do not attach your resume to your Note.  Attach your resume where indicated on your Artist’s Bio page in the Portfolio.
• Applications are due May 20, 2012 at 6:00PM Los Angeles, CA time.

To be considered for the scholarships, submit your Portfolio to this group via Note.  In the subject line, write "Comic-Con Scholarship", and paste the link to your Portfolio in the body of the message.  You may use your existing deviantART Portfolio as long as it contains all the necessary elements listed above.  There is no fee to become a member of deviantART, for the use of the Portfolio tool or to submit your work for consideration.  

Any emerging comic artist located anywhere in the world who is over the age of 18 can submit a Portfolio for consideration. Travel accommodations will not be extended to any other individuals apart from the scholarship recipient. If you are a scholarship recipient, you will be assigned an available date and substitutions will not be possible.

Who chooses the recipients?

We are very excited to report that Dave Elliot, aka =DeevElliott, has graciously agreed to review the submissions and pick the six recipients.  Mr. Elliott is a super-accomplished international publisher and editor who has done extensive work in the comic, graphic novel and fantasy art world with Atomek, Tundra, Heavy Metal, Image, Radical, Marvel, and DC among others.

For those who are unfamiliar with this event, Comic-Con International: San Diego is the largest comic-book and popular-arts convention in the world. Held at the San Diego Convention Center from July 12th to the 15th this year, Comic-Con draws a worldwide audience of entertainment enthusiasts of every kind, filling the convention center to its brim. For more information, check out the Comic-Con website.

If you fit the qualifications listed above, send us a Note with a link to your Portfolio!  Emerging artists, we want you to join us at Comic-Con!