WELCOME!

Last year we had over 52,000 visitors over the 6 week show and we expect over
70,000 this year!

What makes ARTOMATIC GREAT is that ARTOMATIC is OURS!

1
We had over 800 2D-artists register in the first weekend

We have over 300 bands/musicians, dance groups, poets & other performers
already booked in one of six venues during the event – and we’re still a month
away.

2
Demographic fun facts: DC, MD, VA based-artists

We also get artists from other cities, including Sunderland, UK – DC’s sister city and co-
participant in the Glass3 show in Georgetown

Newbies outnumber veterans: 435 visual artists have been in a previous Artomatic, 567 are
new this year.

That helps make this year the biggest Artomatic ever.

3
Use our web resources to promote yourself!

Upload your artwork to your online artist catalogue on the Artomatic website.

The website will also have e-cards to download, and during installation we’ll have flyers and
postcards available for you to take.

Use these social media tools to spread the word.

We are all Artomatic, and we all share the responsibility of its success

4
Some tips for picking and designing your space:
Please respect your neighbors' space. When you paint, make sure you don't splatter. And be gentle with the
hammer if there is artwork on the other side of the partition.
If you want people to buy your art, make it easy for them to find you. Add your contact info on the wall or
attach a business card holder. Clearly marked prices are a plus. If you work is not for sale, state that as well.
After you sell your work, it must stay in place until the event is over.
When choosing which sized wall space to use for your artwork, take what you need and use what you take
It's your space, and you can curate as you wish. You're not limited to a white gallery "box" or that space over
the sofa. Artomatic exhibitors range from people who tack up a few sketches on a bare wood wall to folks
who bring in a couch and rug for visitors.
We don’t censor or jury anyone’s artwork. But we have young visitors; if your work is likely to be
controversial, please at least give your neighbor a call – that’s why contact information is on the cards – to
give them a chance to move if they wish.
Make sure your name is spelled out in the online artist’s catalog.
No boxes of prints or open artwork for sale. There is a Marketplace event, to be held on Sundays in June on
the first floor, where you can bring smaller pieces to sell.

5
You got a yellow (2-D) card or a pink (3-D) card at check-in. As you leave this Orientation
session, you will receive a blue card to verify you attended. You will need both cards to
finalize the site selection process.

Site selection occurs on 2 different floors at a time. We are populating the __ and __ floors
right now. All the floors are very similar. Take your time to find ‘your’ space. It could take
15-20 minutes to get your space.

Please fill in all requested contact information on BOTH cards. Do it now so you don’t hold
up the works upstairs.

Once you’ve found the space that you want, find a floor attendant. They have clipboards

The floor attendant will sign off on the yellow card and place it on the wall (or the pink card
on the floor or 3-D space). The blue card will also be signed by the floor attendant and you
will return that to the Registration Desk for check-out.

Your space will NOT be confirmed until you sign out at the desk. No exceptions.

Afterwards, we will have a Q/A desk available for any final questions you have. We will also
have lighting and security examples for you to review.

6
If you have not started installing your exhibit by 10 PM on Sunday, May 24, your space may be allocated to
someone else.

The last two days before the show are for clean-up, not for installation, and the building may not be open
to artists other than those who have scheduled volunteer shifts.

So, install early. Check the baseball game schedule – it’s going to be hectic on those days.

Please be careful of your fellow artists’ work when you install your work. Hammering is discouraged, use
screw hangers instead.

There is only one freight elevator, and there are 1,000 artists in the building.

Artomatic does not have tools or screws or ladders for artist’s use so plan on bringing everything you’ll need.

Please don’t use our chairs as stepping stools. Chairs, small tables, and installations are acceptable within
approximately 4 feet of the front of your wall (2 feet for center core and outside walls). Please don’t encroach
on your neighbor’s space. This is subject to approval for safety and traffic concerns. We need a 4-foot
walkway throughout the building. If you have questions, please get approval before you install.

3-D artists should work within their designated spaces and secure electrical cords to prevent trip hazards. If
you need additional space or have questions, please check with your neighbors and get EPM approval before
you install. Please remove all your trash from the site when finished installing.

There is some parking in the area. Obviously, game day parking is very difficult. There is a 15 min. limit on
parking in the loading dock. Plan accordingly.

Respect the instructions of the artists on staff when you’re installing. Remember that you, too, will be
working your shifts during the event.

7
Our ability to hold future Artomatics is directly related to our care of the site.

The building is leased to Artomatic, and we rely on the kindness of developers and
business improvement districts to find new space.

Installation materials and tools may only be brought up in the freight elevators. Small clean
objects and art may be carried in the regular elevators

Please ask Event and Program Management staff if you have any questions about what you
can do.

8
Please don’t drill, paint, or damage any concrete surfaces, pipes, or permanent building features.

Please don’t attach tape to any drywall surfaces.

You may NOT hang anything from any ceiling tile, joist, hanger, pipe, wire, sill, window, or any other
fixture.

The window blinds may not be used during the show.

Please ask Event and Program Management staff if you have any questions about what you cannot
do.

9
You may use up to a maximum of 200 watts of total power for your lights and installation. If we
have power problems, we will be measuring the power draw on each outlet and will unplug anyone
who is over capacity.

We strongly suggest using low-voltage halogen or fluorescent lighting.

We’ve greatly expanded power output from last year but we still have limits.

All cords, transformers and lighting hardware should be firmly secured to the partition or wall.
Please do not use tape. Wiring ties, conduit, or screw-on clamps are acceptable alternatives.

Please only use ONE of the Artomatic-provided outlets. Please plug directly into the Artomatic
provided outlet box and not into a wall-mate’s power strip, so you don’t send them over the 200-
watt limit. You may use extension cords or power strips, but they must be secured.

Plan for a “green” lighting solution for your space.

10
Please use screws to attach hardware to the lighting bracket—hammering nails will damage the
bracket. Only lights may be hung from the lighting brackets.

Artists with space on central core walls, outer walls, pillars, or 3-D space will need to provide their
own brackets or lighting supports.

Ask our lighting specialist on duty for tips on how to hang your lights.

11
You may paint your wood partition and lighting bracket any color.

Center core walls, outside walls, and drywall-covered pillars may only be painted white or off-
white. You may not paint anything other than your wall.

DO NOT paint the floors, ceilings, windows or pillars

Please use a drop cloth and keep your paint on the wall and off everything else, including the floor.

All painting supplies should be removed from the site when you’re finished.

There are no utility sinks available for washing, so please wash or dispose of your brushes at home.

Double bag all paint covered items to prevent drips.

12
The bathrooms are brand-new and may not be used for cleaning paint or for any other artist
installation materials. Most of the bathrooms in the building will be locked during installation;
come down to the 5th floor. Please clean up after you finish.

You may not otherwise alter your wall by cutting, damaging, or drilling large holes. All materials on
the top of partition walls (cords, transformers) must be firmly attached. No tape, please.

Please do not drill an excessive number of holes in any drywall surface. If your installation requires
numerous holes, it should be done on a separate sheet, which is affixed to the drywall surface.

13
14
The building is open for 892 hours

During that time we need security, greeters, bar, cleanup and other tasks covered

that’s a total of 15,411 man-hours of work provided by participants – not including gallery
managers and committees, who have been working since who have been working since September,
before we even secured the building.

Even the Chair and President of Artomatic have to work their three shifts if they want to exhibit.

15
What to expect on your work shift

16
We drink a lot. BUT:

First Rule: Staff may not drink alcohol on duty and no outside alcohol can be brought in. NO
EXCEPTIONS.

On-duty participants are allowed to drink non-alcoholic beverages only.

In 2008, bar staff served 15,336 bottles of beer and 1,464 bottles of wine to patrons and off-duty
participants. We also served 7,200 cans & bottles of soda and water

The reason we must use an alcohol vendor and are not allowed to bring in outside alcohol is purely
liquor license requirements. Outside alcohol risks losing insurance for Artomatic.

While we’re on the subject of alcohol, there is no outside alcohol allowed in the building. This
means that artists can not bring alcohol in for meet the artist night or any other special event. This
rule is strictly enforced. Your alcohol will be confiscated and you may jeopardize your ability to
participate in future events.

17
At the start of your shift, check in with the Gallery Manager in the Artomatic office on the 5th floor
(unless otherwise notified on installation/deinstallation shifts)

Please be responsible and be on time for your shifts.

The Gallery Managers are in charge and will get you everything you need. Love them.

Likewise, you can identify senior Artomatic staff by their badges, and they may, on occasion, as you
to help with a quick task.

Possible tasks: floor security (standing, walking, greeting people), lobby (sitting, standing, asking for
donations), bars (standing, asking for donations, carrying heavy things, interacting with people),
trash, lobby security, etc.

You’re there for the duration of the shift, and you may be re-tasked to other locations or duties
during your shift. This is for your variety and if floor needs change.

Wear comfy shoes.

Remember to check out at the Office at the end of your shift.

18
Treat other’s artwork like your own, look out for it!

When you are on duty, you need to be watchful of the artwork and the visitors around you. No one
should be handling or defacing the artwork.

Remember that shifts are mandatory

Introduce yourself to the other artists on your shift

Leave the book at home, you will not have time to read

Bring your cell phone, to make it easier for the gallery manager to find you if needed.

Show up early, the event opens on time every day.

19
You can have a friend work a shift for you, but they should give the gallery manager your name as
well as theirs.

You should get a reminder email 2 days before your shift, but if registration@artomatic.org is not in
your spam filter, it may get eaten – especially if you’re on Yahoo.

If you miss several shifts or fail to meet the shift requirement (showing up on time for all three
shifts, staying to the end, and doing what is needed for the event) you will not be able to
participate in future Artomatics.

20
Remember to reschedule within 48 hours of the shift.

There is an office telephone number this year, you can and should call if you are running late.

Email volunteer@artomatic.org for any questions or concerns.

21
If you need to reschedule, go to the website and click “shifts”

Questions? Go to the Q&A booth

22
Artomatic is what we make it

Keep an eye out on the Artomatic website and these other sites for notices and
updates

The complete rules are also on the website

23
Want to be a Gallery Manager or join a Committee?

See the folks the Q+A desk if you have questions before you leave the building today

Thank you all for coming and for making Artomatic the awesome event that it is.

Remember to get a blue card from (the person standing by the door with the blue cards) on
your way out.

Go to floors __ and __ now.

24