DeviantART Empowers Artists at Comic-Con

Comic-Con is big. So big. Big enough to support tons of artists in Artists Alley. Even bigger that it encourages groups like DeviantART, making its second appearance at the show.

“Comic art is a major part of deviantART’s culture and DNA,” said Angelo Sotira, co-founder and CEO of deviantART. “For this reason we’re taking our involvement at Comic-Con International: San Diego to the next level with a range of panel discussions, enhanced presence in Artists’ Alley, and a cosplay exhibit and silent auction to benefit charity. DeviantART is a community of pop-culture creators across a multitude of genres, and having a physical presence at Comic-Con allows us to stay tuned in to the needs of our massive comics-focused audience in a huge way.”

Additionally, deviantART will contribute to this year’s conference programming, hosting multiple panels featuring accomplished artists and “deviants” like Kevin Eastman, Chris Sanders, as well as key deviantART executives, including Co-founder and CEO, Angelo Sotira.

In an effort to support emerging artists, deviantART has also invited six artists from all over the world to attend Comic-Con as guests of dA. Also dedicated to spreading love throughout the comic art ecosystem, deviantART is hosting a cosplay charity art show and silent auction to take place on Friday, July 13 at 4pm. As part of the sponsorship, deviantART will feature the work of the artists in the alley on oversized digital screen displays that float high above Artists’ Alley, which spans a massive section of the convention room floor.

Full press release and details below.

DeviantART Empowers Artists at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012

DeviantART Focuses on Comic Art Community – Increases Presence with Hosted Panels, Artists’ Alley Sponsorship and Scholarships, Cosplay Options, Benefit Auction and More

San Diego, CA – July 09, 2012 – DeviantART, the world’s largest online art community, with 22 million registered members, today shared details surrounding its involvement with Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012. This marks the second year the company has played a significant role in the show as the official sponsor of Artists’ Alley, the heart and soul of Comic-Con and the comic arts. Additionally, deviantART will contribute to this year’s conference programming, hosting multiple panels featuring accomplished artists and “deviants” like Kevin Eastman (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, Heavy Metal Magazine), Chris Sanders (“Lilo & Stitch”, “How to Train Your Dragon”) as well as key deviantART executives, including Co-founder and CEO, Angelo Sotira. Ongoing updates about deviantART at Comic-Con 2012 are available at comic-con.deviantart.com.

In an effort to support emerging artists, deviantART has also invited six artists from all over the world to attend Comic-Con as guests of dA. Also dedicated to spreading love throughout the comic art ecosystem, deviantART is hosting a cosplay charity art show and silent auction to take place on Friday, July 13 at 4pm. As part of the sponsorship, deviantART will feature the work of the artists in the alley on oversized digital screen displays that float high above Artists’ Alley, which spans a massive section of the convention room floor.

“Comic art is a major part of deviantART’s culture and DNA,” said Angelo Sotira, co-founder and CEO of deviantART. “For this reason we’re taking our involvement at Comic-Con International: San Diego to the next level with a range of panel discussions, enhanced presence in Artists’ Alley, and a cosplay exhibit and silent auction to benefit charity. DeviantART is a community of pop-culture creators across a multitude of genres, and having a physical presence at Comic-Con allows us to stay tuned in to the needs of our massive comics-focused audience in a huge way.”

Comic-Con 2012 Panels 
Keeping artists at the forefront of Comic-Con, deviantART is hosting a number of panels, each offering newcomers and professionals alike the chance to learn about the industry and expand their careers. A full lineup of panel events with descriptions follows:

Thursday, July 12 @ 12 p.m. (Room 2) – “How to Better Understand the Sociology Behind Cosplay” 
Join veteran cosplayer Yaya Han for a stimulating discussion about the many social aspects of cosplay such as: why do we cosplay? What does cosplay mean to each of us? Why is there cosplay drama? How has cosplay progressed in the last 10 years and what are the positive and negative aspects? What is the proper etiquette when cosplaying, photographing cosplayers, and socializing with regular attendees? 
Presenter: For the past 11 years, Yaya Han has been creating full costumes and fashion pieces in the U.S. What began as a passionate hobby for Yaya has evolved into a loving craft and career. More information can be found at http://yayacosplay.deviantart.com.

Thursday, July 12 @ 3 p.m. (Room 2) – "Living and Creating in the deviantART World" 
With the rise of the digital age and social networking, sharing art is possible like never before. Artists are no longer tied to the will of a publisher or gallery to have their work seen. However, finding their way in this brave new world can be a daunting task. This panel will show artists easy ways to get started, find inspiration, make new discoveries, and establish themselves in the world of deviantART. 
Presenter: Wenqing Yan is better known as “Yuumei,” a digital artist and activist. She has been a part of the deviantART community for more than 9 years and has attracted more than 7.6 million visitors to her profile on the site. More information can be found at Yuumei.deviantart.com

Thursday, July 12 @ 4 p.m. (Room 2) – "Don’t Break In, Break Out!" 
DeviantART offers the world of content creators a new and different publishing perspective, one filled with endless potential and possibilities. Well-known deviants Chris Copeland, Jeff Wamester, Dave Elliott, Bob Self and Yuumei will discuss the future for editorial creators and publishers with presenter Ron Martino, a.k.a. $techgnotic
Presenter: Ron Martino is the producer and director the deviantART Network and an expert in transmedia publishing. Ron regularly develops editorial content for deviantART to raise the level of conversation within the creative deviantART community. From selecting members to spotlight on the blog, to leading discussions on art trends, Ron engages the community to recognize real world accomplishments of deviantART users.

Friday, July 13 @ 12 p.m. (Room 2) – “Fan Art Law – A Counter-Cultural Disconnect?” 
Is fan art a secret obsession or an acceptable thing to share in public? This presentation lays down the law and includes a review of the impact of new technologies on the genre, commentary on the fantastic fan art event of the century in “50 Shades of Grey,” as well as the confessions of a fan-art enthusiast.   
Presenter: Joshua S. Wattles is the former acting general counsel at Paramount Pictures, a past president of the Los Angeles Copyright Society, and an adjunct law professor at Loyola Marymount University and Southwestern University law schools in Los Angeles. He is currently advisor in chief to deviantART. A mystery guest fan artist will join his panel to give his perspective on this genre of creativity.    

Saturday, July 14 @ 12 p.m. (Room 2) – “How to Supercharge Your deviantART Profile Like the Masters” 
This superstar lineup of artists in comics, manga, and animation all have another thing in common, besides ridiculous amounts of talent: they are all part of the deviantART community. Over the years, they have learned a thing or two about getting the most out of the website, and in this panel they will share their tips and tricks about ways to get the most out of your deviantART experience. 

Presenters: 
·         Adam Warren – Creator of “The Dirty Pair” (Dark Horse), and “Empowered” (Dark Horse) 
·         Chris Sanders – Writer/Director of “Lilo & Stitch” (Disney), and “How to Train Your Dragon” (DreamWorks) 
·         Dave Elliott – Comic industry veteran, writer and editor 
·         Jim Zubkavich – Project Manager, Creative Services, UDON Entertainment 
·         Kevin Eastman – Co-creator of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and Publisher of Heavy Metal Magazine 
·         Mark Brooks – Marvel Comics 
·         Yuumei (Wenqing Yan) – Digital Artist and Cyber-Activist 
·         Angelo Sotira (panel moderator) – Co-founder and CEO, deviantART.com

Artists’ Alley 
DeviantART continues to support and showcase the vast pool of talented comic-book artists, writers and publishers that make up Comic-Con and, more specifically, Artists’ Alley. As a part of the sponsorship, artists’ ability to promote their work has been elevated even further with options to display their work on digital screens throughout the hall to pique interest. Through deviantART’s scholarships, six budding artists have been awarded the opportunity to be a part of the creative show floor at Artists’ Alley. Handpicked by industry veteran and comic book creator Dave Elliott, these recipients will have a platform to showcase their material, interact with event-goers, and continue to develop their reputation within the industry.

“DeviantART is really stepping up to the plate and putting the spotlight on the creators in Artists’ Alley, who are the pulse, beat and heart of San Diego Comic-Con,” said comic-industry pro, Dave Elliott. “It’s so good to see acknowledgement of the type of talent that started the convention and the subsequent pop-culture phenomenon that Comic-Con is today. This level of support will help artists draw even bigger crowds than last year.”

Cosplay at Comic-Con 
Through its online community, deviantART is collecting standout cosplay photographs to be framed and mounted as Fine Art Prints and included in the deviantART Benefit Art Show. These exceptional works will be displayed and made available for sale via a silent auction. All pieces start at $10 and proceeds will benefit the Shriner's Burn Hospital, which routinely invites cosplayers to join in their fundraising events and encourages them to interact with the hospital’s young burn victims as part of their therapy.

Cosplayers will also have the chance to be a part of a group photo with deviantART representatives. The snapshot will be showcased in front of millions on the site and possibly included in other upcoming deviantART initiatives.
For the latest from deviantART at San Diego Comic-Con 2012, please stay tuned to http://comic-con.deviantart.com.

Comments