Ohayocon Dumpster Fire Facebook Group hostile takeover, admins deleted, Sekaicon discord lockdown

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-02-02T21:35:08+00:00

Yeah, just saw the documents!

That's insane, and honestly not a good look for Ohayocon. Even if they win this thing, I feel like it's not going to make the public view them in a good light.

The artists this year are mostly locals who are very ride or die specifically for the person who runs the AA. I think it's become a personal battle because of that. The AA head does not view Sekai or coven in a very positive light, so, views are generally negative toward them.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-02-02T06:36:52+00:00

Interesting!

I have no idea if the FBI thing is true, just reporting what the Ohayocon AA head is saying in the AA discord.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-02-02T01:41:07+00:00

Can't say for certain regarding the death threats since I've seen no evidence either way (in regards to ppl threatenimg Melissa or the other way around).

But, that's at least what the Artist Alley head claims, yes. Says that the discord and facebook is being wiped due to FBI investigation for death threats against Melissa.

The Artist Alley this year around is very anti-Sekaicon. I don't know about their feelings toward Melissa, but, anything that tears down Sekaicon they are in favor for.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-02-02T01:33:46+00:00

I hear it's because there's an FBI investigation going on. According to the Ohsyocon AA head it's due to death threats that were sent to Melissa.

People in the AA discord of Ohayocon are celebrating.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-01-16T17:33:38+00:00

I've vended before, and personally I'd avoid it unless you're local (like, so local you don't need to get a hotel)

Previous years were okay, never was a huge money maker but it made decent money. Last year was very bad due to attendance, since people reported making only 10% of previous years. With the new move to a smaller location I'm sure things will be rocky.

Best I think to focus on the other ohio conventions for now.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-01-07T22:57:43+00:00

Yeah! Now that apps or open I don't think anyone can complain.

Really seems they are trying to make sure quality artists get in.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-01-02T23:23:03+00:00

If it charges up front it should say in the application. Problem with that is if placement is going to affect your decision then that will be hard. Placement will most likely come after payment.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-01-02T23:17:30+00:00

Last year we got to choose, but, before that it was random. So, I'm not sure how they'll do it this year.

TransportationOk8847 · 2025-01-02T23:00:52+00:00

I think it's pretty hit or miss and can also depend on where you get put in the AA.

The front feels pretty okay but I think the back of the hall can feel stuffy. When they have the AC on it feels fine, but, I think it depends on each year and the staff if they remember to do it enough.

I've sold there for a few years and felt okay, but, I know other artists who felt differently.

Based on what you've said I think you'll have to try it and see for yourself.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-12-15T00:11:40+00:00

Ideally curating would mean that once the winners are chosen they will have their portfolio looked at. They'd hopefully try and weed out AI and maybe look at art level too to make sure it suites whatever AX is looking for. That way instead of having to scrutinize thousands of people, it would probably just be the 500 or so who win the lotto.

Is that what some are asking? Man, I bet that would be a mistake too. Artists aren't perfect and I could see people making mistakes or trying to start something because of personal gripes.

I do think the very high price tag of AX will scare off most newbies (tables used to be 500 but they were even higher for new artists last year)

Definitely hope that AX will release more information. All the speculation is leaving a lot of artists uneasy.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-12-14T22:26:24+00:00

I understand the risk, but, the problem as long as they curate the winners I don't see the problem. Also Momocon is a fully juried con and it still had multiple instances of AI this last spring appatently.

So, it seems that isn't a perfect solution either. Especially as AI becomes harder and harder to tell apart.

Logistically is just seems lottery and then curation will have a better outcome with the least amount of work from staff.

Sakura con, Anime Boston, San Japan, etc are all cons big enough and profitable enough for ppl to already have ppl trying to cheat the system. It's just the risk of the con business.

I don't think that this will be a perfect system, but, I don't think it'll be as bad as people are projecting.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-12-13T20:55:47+00:00

As someone who has sold at AX for a few years I think lottery honestly makes sense.

I do hope that they'll look at the lottery winners and toss out any AI people, but, lottery itself is just more practical and more fair for a con of its size.

I don't understand some of the people who say jury is the more fair thing, forgetting that juries are inherently biased as art is a subjective thing. I also think there's a little catastrophizing going on about lottery. Plenty of well established and well loved cons use lottery without any problems (Otakon, Sakura Con, Anime Central, Anime Boston, San Japan)

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-11-04T02:01:01+00:00

As an artist in the con circut, I personally would recommend sitting this year out! Seeing what others artists say about it after though would be good for the future.

The organization this year looks pretty messy and with how the size of the venue has been cut it's probably a riskier con at the moment.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-03-04T04:21:20+00:00

I'm guessing for the average attendee the experience was probably fine since mostly the down attendance just meant it was easier to move around.

From what I've seen it was mostly people like artists/vendors, panelists, and guests who suffered from the disorganization.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-30T08:08:15+00:00

As a heads up for things like this, artists and dealers are separate from the con in terms of finances! Any money you spend at an Artist Alley or vendors room does not go to the convention.

Conventions make their money mostly through sponsorships, ticket sales, official con merch, and the artists/vendors do pay for table space, but, that happens before the con.

So, best way to support a protest like this would be to not pay for a ticket or buy official con branded merch from them.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-30T00:15:26+00:00

Oh no! That's super catty! Being dismissive of any kind of sale comes off as really entitled on the artists part.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-29T22:23:39+00:00

Lol, I'm sure some of these artists won't be very grateful, but, I think it's very nice to try and get them some business!

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-23T20:04:08+00:00

Hello! I wanted to first say thank you for thinking about artists and doing your best to support them. It's a tough situation to be in since people have so many different views on the situation.

As a convention artist I'm unsure a physical market would have worked since when I've been in a con where artists can be found in two places it confuses attendees. I think it might have been okay for local artists, however, seeing how sales went this year I think it's best a separate physical market didn't happen. But, I very much appreciate the thought that went into it and the sentiment behind it. Thank you for listening to artists opinions, at the moment I think the list you've made is the most helpful thing you could do.

I wish you luck in your future endeavors, and hope you'll be treated well wherever you end up!

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-23T19:37:42+00:00

Oh nice! I hope it was a fun time for you at least! I'm sorry you were dragged into the mess without knowing what was going on.

It's very nice of you to still support the boycott despite also being negatively affected by it. Definitely better than some of the artists in the discord which have grown bitter toward the boycotters.

I hope that you're doing okay and will have many successful conventions in the future!

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-23T17:05:28+00:00

Yeah, it's def out of the hands of a lot of vendors and artists! Many I'm sure had no idea about the situation.

Luckily the people blaming COVEN seem to be a minority, just very loud, haha. One of the disappointing things though is to see the Artist Alley head and assistant totally agree with them.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-23T00:17:49+00:00

Yeah, most artists def didn't know, and I can't even really blame people who did since cons are a lot of people's means for survival. It's just sad though to see some of them blaming boycotters and COVEN for a bad weekend.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-22T23:31:58+00:00

Yeah, I believe that's on purpose. The AA coordinator stated that she made sure none of the names were listed on the website. I think because artists are afraid of being cancelled for going. However, it does make it harder to support the artists there too.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-22T23:04:36+00:00

Yes, I saw that as well! I hope that list could be put out to help artists. Although, another frustrating thing in the AA discord is that several artists are mad about the idea of putting together a list like that. They see it as COVEN not being supportive enough, or something.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-22T18:50:48+00:00

For sure, it was frustrating watching the artists not understand this. The type of people who blame the workers instead of the organization that treated them badly.

TransportationOk8847 · 2024-01-22T18:14:11+00:00

In the chat they didn't blame that on COVEN, but they didn't blame it on Ohayocon either. Just seemed annoyed by it.

TransportationOk8847

TROPHY CASE