#artistsalley

00lyeric:

Please excuse my wall of text, this weekend was a nightmare. In order to properly explain all that went on a novel needed to be written.

TLDR; Do not support this convention! Artists beware, they treat you like garbage. They gave away my artist table and left me with nothing. When I complained, called security to escort me out. I did not get a refund, and I am at a loss here. 

This weekend was the first time I have ever been escorted out of an event. The Saskatoon Blitz tried to intimidate and humiliate me by taking away my artist table I paid for.

Let’s start from the very beginning. January 2^nd, 2015 was the day artist tables were announced.  I applied right away for my table, signing my contract with the rules of the convention. There wasn’t any place to send my payment to right away, so I included in the email that I needed to know where to send my payment as soon as possible. Doing it before a certain date made you eligible for the early bird rate of $141, rather then the $171 the table would be after that said date. I received an email back on January 4^th from Dana, the Artist Alley Coordinator, with this reply:

“Wow! You were quick, you’re the first one!
So for payment you can do it Online ([email protected]) for PayPal +2.5 % (which would be 3.55 extra) 
Online checkout Is coming soon! (Sorry about that!)”

Okay, so the application was done. In my head I was contemplating going to this convention at all. I know they are a small town con, but this isn’t their first or second year, so it should go smoothly. I’ve gone before, my friends go, so why not? I now have taken on doing Artist Alleys as my full time job, so this was business and I should go. Time passed, and I forgot about sending my payment. I seen on their website tables are still available and didnt stress, so I used their online checkout and bought my 8 foot table for the full price. I didn’t expect the early bird pricing at all, as I didn’t send my payment before the date it needed to be. After sending my payment on May 14^th, Dana emailed me back on the 17^th:

“Hey so you paid for the price of a regular table, but I have you marked down for the early bird table.

So I can refund you the difference if you’d like. You did come early.
-Dana A “

Okay, awesome! Maybe the Blitz is stepping up their game. I reply saying that I would really appreciate it. In that email it didn’t really confirm if I had a table or not, so I emailed her on the 29^th to verify. She emailed me back on the 31^st, saying it was and not to worry. I reply back telling her where she can refund the difference. No reply.

Its now time for the convention. Its Friday June 12^th, and I email Dana the night. We had an 8 foot table, so we needed an extra helper. The day pass for the Blitz was $30, and our helper Dylan could only be there with us for one day as he worked Sunday. I send Dana this email: 

“Hey Dana, just wanted to give you a heads up that we may be late tomorrow morning. Our travel plans changed so we are leaving in a few hours ( we were supposed to come today to Saskatoon but  yeah..some things happened). We also have an extra helper coming with now. Is it possible rather then getting our early bird discount back could we get an additional pass? Please let me know! “

It seems very straight forward, as least I thought. Additional artist passes are $25, but I just asked for a normal pass, which in their favor would give them an extra $5. All I wanted was the easiest solution.

Day 1

I wake up at 6:30am to get ready for the 2 hour drive to Saskatoon. It looks like my helpers are running late, so I send a quick text to my friend Katrina of Chinook Crafts to please ask Dana to check her email as I have not gotten a reply from her. I wanted Dana to know that I would be late. Katrina flagged her down, it was no problem and the morning went on as usual.

We rush to Saskatoon and get there right before 10am. The Artist Alley was open to the public at 10am, so we were very worried that we would look ridiculous trying to set up the display – but many artists seemed to be in the same boat and not a soul was wandering the alley. I was first approached by Emily who directed me to my table – well, where my table should have been. Another artist was set up there in booth C1. So we stood the only empty spot in the AA where later they brought out an 8 foot table. The first thing I notice is that the alley is set up… classroom style. That is to say the front of your table faced the back of the table in front of you, and patrons walked down the aisle in between. Patrons were 3ft away from cash boxes, stock, etc. It really wasn’t fun to have traffic behind us, seeing our set up. From patrons I was told it felt like walking behind a cash register, it was just wrong!

Then Dana then asks us were our badges are. Well we just walked in, so I told her we still needed them. I asked her if she got my email, and she said “Yes, maybe. I dont know, what was it?” I told her about me running late and getting a badge for Dylan. She said she recalls and went to grab our badges. She came back with only two badges and told me I would have to buy a weekend pass for Dylan as she had no more artist badges. I explained to her it would be easiest if we just did the switch I mentioned before as he is only staying today. She looked at me like I was crazy then proceeded to tell me I needed to go to the front and buy a weekend wrist band, she would refund me tomorrow. A gut feeling told me I wouldn’t be getting that refund tomorrow. I again explained to her if we could do it the other way because he was there for ONE day (which she clearly didn’t understand) and she said “Sure, whatever I have to go”. Alright. We sat throughout the day waiting for Dana to return.  

The day was slow, and we didn’t see attendees until after 11:30. The Blitz didn’t let the attendees in until after 10am, as some vendors were not ready yet. This is the first breach in the contract, as the hours are stated 10am to 8pm for artists, 10am to 7pm for vendors. Late starts cost vendors and artists money.  Dana returned to my table many times not saying anything to me, so I assumed all was well. She didn’t mention anything about the badge, and because of the aforementioned lack of artist badges just let it be.  From what we gathered all there was was the green wristbands everyone was wearing for a weekend, and day passes people were simply let in.

It was 3pm at this time, and we haven’t even made back our cost of the table and travel. There was little to no people at the event, and it was very evident they didn’t reach their goal of 1,200 people for that day. As it was nearing late afternoon, my two assistants Jared and Dylan went to go find some food for us. I sat alone at the table, and Dana came by and informed me the artist alley would be closing at 9pm tonight and reopen at 8am tomorrow. I was confused, and asked her to clarify if the 8am was set up, or opening? She said it was to open at 10am tomorrow. As she walked away I realized that 10am to 9pm is a long, LONG day. I texted my friend Katrina in the vendors room again asking if she knew the time it was to close. She send me a screen shot of the contract stating the correct times of 7pm for Vendors, 8pm for artists. I’m going to go by the contract, so I didn’t worry to much. Jared and Dylan returned, and I told them the hours. They told me that earlier Dana came by while I was in the washroom and said it closed at 7pm. So we had three different times here.

I asked a couple of my artist buddies who were also at the event what they had heard the hours were, and they had no idea either. Everyone I had spoken to was saying they were really getting fed up with the lack of sales, and the lack of communication. I went into the vendors room to directly talk to Katrina, and at that time Emily came over to tell them that the vendors hall was to close at 8pm. Again – not the right time at all. At this point Jared went to Emily, who was also coming around talking to people, to ask who was in charge to talk to them and get this straight. Emily said that Laura was the chair of the convention and she would be the one to talk to. I went back to the table, and Jared asked for a word with Laura.

Jared told Laura that he had some major concerns that needed to be addressed. Laura asked if talking here was fine, but Jared said it would be better to talk off to the side rather then right in the middle of the vendors room. He explained to her that this wasn’t going well. Nothing was set up right, our table wasn’t even there to start out with, the backs of our booths were to the traffic, with people carrying around REAL swords and weapons (there was no weapons policy) and there is no communication here. He added we also had people constantly bumping into the back of us because of the way it was set up. He then asked where we are to put our stock and display, as the area in which the dance was being held was the same room the Artist Alley was in. Laura told him that after the Artist Alley closed at 7pm we could move it into the Vendors room. He asked what we should leave, and she advised to take everything down as there was no lock and no security. She added she wouldn’t leave any of her personal stuff in there. Laura ended it with our feedback was appreciated, as she can’t make the Blitz better without feedback. And that was that.

Jared came back to the table, told me what he discussed with Laura. And so the rest of the grueling day went on. I ate my pulled pork on a bun that I bought from the convention center, and felt really sick after. I told the boys in the most discreet way possible I was going to go die in the bathroom. After spending a while in the bathroom I went back to talk to Katrina at her table to ask how the day was going for them. After talking with them I returned to my booth to see Emily, Dana, Jacob (who later I found out was the ‘Head of Security’, in reality was the host) and another volunteer named Chris. Before I had gotten there they asked Jared and Dylan if they were artists. Jared said yes, we are at the artist booth. Jacob replied that they needed to go with him. The way Jacob spoke to Jared he thought that he was part of an improv group or something and refused. He really isn’t into that type of thing. He then leaned over the table to Jared trying to intimidate him telling him this was a matter of security and that he was being disrespectful.

They started asking where I was, if I had a wristband and if I was coming back. Jared said he didn’t know They had no idea who these people were, as none of them were wearing badges indicating they were staff. He felt no need to say anything to them. Right at this moment I walked up to the table to see everyone standing blocking my table. I could see Jared was furious but keeping it cool. I’ve been dating the guy for 5 years, I know when hes super upset. Jacob asks me to show him my wristband, I tell him I’m an artist and I don’t have one, I have the badges. He then looks to Jared and is telling him “breathe man, just breathe.” I know this is one of Jared’s anger triggers, so I brace for impact. Nothing, Jared sits there calmly. So I ask what the hell is going on here?

Jacob explains that we are being disrespectful to the staff by asking them over and over about the times, therefore we are harassing them. All this time Chris is rolling his eyes at us and huffing with every word. I tell them that no such thing has been done, and that we just want to know when we can leave the convention. There was no communication, and this was just getting stupid. I asked them, if you boss asked you to stay extra hours after work with no explanation would you be happy? Dana and Emily argued with me saying that if I didn’t hear it from them it wasn’t the right time. I told them the only people I have asked is you two, and I still don’t have a right time. Emily and Dana knew they had no argument, and just walked away. After hearing our side of the story, Jacob and Chris stayed behind and tried to give us a solution to our backs being open. Chris mentioned he attended a lot of conventions and its just convention 101 to know not to put your back towards the traffic.  He was very concerned with that, and scribbled down in his notebook a plan of action. Jacob proceeded to come around the table, and put his hands on Jared’s shoulder telling him just “To breathe buddy.” Dylan tells Jacob not to do that, but proceeds to put both of his hands on Jared’s shoulders and push his stomach against from him behind while Jared sat in his chair at the booth. I’m very uncomfortable with this and ask him to stop. Jared was upset by this and left my booth to go sit with Katrina.

Jacob went on to say that Dana said we were sneaking Dylan in. I explained to him no, we had an agreement with Dana to just give him a day pass and that was all that was said. I explained to him the refund for the early bird table Dana offered and showed him the emails to prove it. Jacob said everything was fine, and because it was already 5pm that he wasn’t going to make Dylan pay. He understood what was going on. He then said he would refund me, but only $10. I tell him I would rather just have my full refund back because of all the hassle and sales you have cost me. They stood in front of my table for almost and hour with detoured a lot of people to stopping by, I felt it was fair to ask for my full $30. Chris agreed that is just proper service to give me the money back. Jacob went to the cash desk at the front of the convention and gave me $30. He sarcastically apologized and left.

Its around 6:50pm, and the band starts blaring. The dance is about to start. Any final end of the day sales didn’t happen, as many people couldn’t speak to us over the volume. After that we waited until 7pm to strike down our display. Our display is easy to take down, its all cubes, so we took down everything as we were told to. We loaded it up on our wheely cart and took it to our car. Multiple artists took down everything and there was an array of empty tables around the alley. We started the 2 hour drive back home.

End of Day 1.

Day 2

I woke up that morning and laid in bed for a half and hour. I was so stressed out after the first day we slept in a bit. I said to Jared before we left in a joking tone, “What are the odds our table won’t be there?” We laughed and drove again to Saskatoon.

We got to the event on time, and right away noticed there was an artist who wasn’t there yesterday in our table. Of fucking course. I went to the artist and asked what was happening. She said to me that she was sick yesterday, and Dana sat her here. Of course now we are livid, at this point we have moved 3 times. First from the C1 spot that we were originally assigned, then the corner table we had, now this. The way they rearranged the Artist Alley that night did not effect the placement of my table, I was right on the end. For some reason, Dana decided rather then putting a new table out for this artist, she just gave her mine.

We are 300% done at this point. I’m so mad, I go find Dana and Jacob tell them I want my money back. This whole ordeal is ridiculous and I don’t want to be here. My table isn’t here, these aren’t my two four foot tables. They are also not even the same height, so my 8 foot display wouldn’t work. Dana reassures me that 4+4=8, so I am still getting 8 feet of table. I tell her that isn’t the point. At this point the infamous Brain Self butts in and tells us “YOU KNOW WHAT, I’m going to go tell that girl thats at your table to move.” I tell him no, shes set up. She is selling, this isn’t her fault. Dana told her to sit there, you allowed her to set up. It isn’t fair on her part, I refuse to sit there. I don’t even care about the spot at this point, its the whole principal that you guys are screwing me around.

They ignore me and go to the girl anyway. I run to her table and tell her not to move because this is not fair to her. Brain then sees the two four foot tables and exclaims that hes going to just take the two four foot tables and replace it with an 8 foot. I tell him no, he does it anyway.

Jared and I stand around in the AA waiting. We watch Brain struggle to carry and set up the 8 foot while taking away the 4 foots. We stand and talk to an artist friend of mine, finding out that a lot of the artists aren’t happy. One artist lost over $200 in stock from theft. He put his wares in the Vendors room, that was only accessible by staff. As we are talking about this, 3 other artists walk in. They stand by the empty 8 foot table with all of their stock and displays in hand. Its obvious they are lost and confused. I go over to talk to them and tell them whats going on. They tell me they had the 4 foot tables, and now they are gone. So those two 4 foot tables belonged to these girls, meaning they literally gave their table space to me after they gave away my table space to another person. The situation isn’t even salvageable anymore. Jacob is all witness to this, and tells us he is going to go figure out what we can do. I go directly to Laura again and tell her my table is gone, you owe me money. Now.

Laura goes on to tell me that she can’t give me a refund. She said the convention didn’t do as well as she had hoped and she has no money. I tell her that isn’t the way that works, I paid for a service, you didn’t provide and I am entitled to a refund. Laura then goes on to tell me that she makes no money off the vendors or artist tables, and she actually pays us $5 to be here. That… isn’t how it works. If you pay me to be here, where is my $5, and why am I paying you $170?… She told me to look in the contract and that it says “No refunds.” I told her that the contract also states “Table assignment is final and there are to be no table swapping or alterations to the Artist Alley layout.” Meaning that they broke their own contract already. She then tells me that she isn’t going to give me the money, this wasn’t her problem and to talk to Dana. I explain to her as the Chair of the convention, this is your problem. She tells me, “Nope, talk to Dana. This is on her now.” Okay first of all, don’t pawn this off on your staff. I get this is Dana’s first year, but don’t force your volunteer to pay out of pocket.

We stand looking over the contract, and Laura points out this clause: “6. All tables for the Artist Alley are handled on a first come, first serve basis. A waiting list exists for additional artists who are unable to acquire a reservation.” She tries to tell me that because I wasn’t here they gave away my table. I told her that that is complete bullshit, as that clause is under payment. Its first come first serve on payment. I direct her to look at the next clause: “11. Once an artist has made a reservation and made payment, reservation is final.” She gets upset not being able to find a loop-hole and tells me its not her problem, talk to Dana.

Laura calls Dana over, and immediately walks away and leaves the two of us alone. I tell Dana I want my money back, and I want it today. I’m not making any money here, I don’t have my table and I am not happy. Dana tells me she will give me my refund, but has to talk to Laura. I tell her Laura said to talk to you. She agrees and tells us that we have to wait until tomorrow so she can go to her bank. I tell her I want my full table amount back, and this completely changes her attitude. She starts getting super defensive and tells me no, she refuses. I tell her you just agreed, and she retorts that she was only going to give the $30 back. I tell her no, that’s been dealt with I want my full table amount. Jared goes on to ask her, “Are we making money right now?” And she looks at him like a deer in the headlights and tells him no. We both say exactly, this is ridiculous and we want our money back. At this point I am recording the entire thing as no one can get their facts straight. She sees I am holding my camera up on my phone and starts to freak out. She starts yelling, “Oh my god are you recording this? I’m getting security!!” and quickly walks away. This is at 11am.

Remaining not phased by her actions, Jared and I continue to talk to our artist alley friend who is just as angry and about to explode at this point. We talk about our rights as an artist, and how they broke the legal contract and legally owe me. At this time I go around to the artists and try to explain the situation. This is my profession, this is what I do as a full time job. These people are the same people I am going to see all year. I don’t want to be ‘those guys at the Blitz’, so I make sure to make everything clear. They agree, and explain that they would react the same way in my situation.

Its after 12pm now, still no sign of security.  Jacob keeps walking by, but keeps avoiding us. Finally Jared flags him down and asks him what he is going to do for us. Jacob looks panicked and tells him that there is a situation involving the guests that he is dealing with, and he isn’t going to be dealing with us anymore. Jared at this point just shrugs and walks away. We contuine to wait to see our fate at the convention. Finally Jared takes most of our set up stuff to the car, rather then having it sit in the artist alley. I continue to talk to my friend and find out there was a mass email that was sent out to all the artists on a large forward list – guess who isn’t on it? Dana, even last night, excluded me from the Artist Alley. Fantastic, more fuel for the fire. 1:30pm rolls around, and most of the guests are packing up their stuff and leaving out of anger. I have no idea what happened, but their guests walked out on them.

Jared and I then go to the Vendors room again to talk to Katrina, and update her on whats happening. We then start to talk about Ai-Kon, and how its one of our favorite cons. We discuss other conventions I have never been to, and make plans to attend together. As Jared and I talking, a tall man in a Prairieland Park jacket comes up, telling Jared and 'his ladyfriend’ that we need to talk. I’m already pissed off at this guy for being so rude, don’t call me ladyfriend pal, but we go anyway. He tries to lead us to the front door and tells us that we are being told to leave. We ask why, (I mean, I know why but I wanted to know what they told him) and he tells us that we are harassing the vendors and picking fights with artists. We tell him this isn’t true, and its a lie from the convention staff to kick us out without giving us a refund.

Jared tries to explain that our car is out the back doors, which the artists and vendors were told to use. He tells Jared to 'listen here sonny’ and not to question him, because we 'don’t want to know what his other job is.’ Jared is now pissed at this point of this man calling him sonny and challenges him to know his other job. He explains that he is the Deputy Sheriff at the Queens Bench of Justice. Instead of intimidating us this gives us a chance. So we tell him we need to grab our stuff and we will leave. Before he kicks us out, I quickly ramble off what happened to us, how they broke the contract and took our table. He then introduces himself to us, and we to him. He tells me that I can file a claim via small claims court because of this. He tells me what I can claim from them, where to go to get all the information and some contact information. He tells us there isn’t anything he can do, as the Blitz rents from Prairieland and as the security there he has to do as they wish. He tells us that he has to write up a report for the incident, but if I call in they will give me the information needed for the claim.

And with that, we were escorted out. We left the event and made no money that day. In total, we ended up losing close to $400, and made zero profit. I paid $170 to be there this weekend. Conventions base their table price off of demand and the amount of people who attend. I am going to far more popular, in demand conventions and pay far less for a table. Their prices are insane, they treat you like garbage- and if you really lucky like me, they give away your artist table! And when they can’t take accountability for it, they will have security escort you out. Thanks Saskatoon Blitz!

EDIT: A former staff has sent me screen shots of what has been said about me in the private group. I did a crowdfunding for Calcifer last month as many of you know, so its confirmed me. The ex-staff gave me permission to post these. 

Warning!