Overload Artist Market
Artists are the heart of Overload, New Zealand’s premier Anime & Manga Convention. This event provides a unique platform for creators to showcase and sell their work directly to New Zealand’s vibrant anime and manga community. We warmly welcome both returning artists, whose continued support we deeply appreciate, and newcomers, whom we’re excited to introduce to our creative community.
KEY CRITERIA
- All items sold must be designed or created by you. Commercially made goods are strictly prohibited.
- All artists who wish to exhibit at an Overload Artist Table must submit an application. Successful applicants will receive a registration offer.
- You must agree to the Overload Artist Table Terms & Conditions and must attend both days of the event.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Overload 2026 uses a lottery system inspired by Japan’s Comiket, where applications will open for an extended period of time. Applications that meet the initial screening criteria, will then be randomly selected and offered the chance to complete the registration and secure an Overload Artist Table. Artists who are not accepted in the initial results due to capacity limits will be waitlisted and may be contacted when a table space becomes available.
It is important to understand that submitting an application does not guarantee a registration offer.
It is essential to read and understand the Overload Artist Table Terms and Conditions, as any application that does not comply with them will be disqualified.
This approach maintains our commitment to fairness while still being manageable for our small organising team.
ARTIST TABLES
There are two types of Overload Artist Tables:
Overload Artist
Full Table
includes:
one (1) full artist table, two (2) chairs.
1800mm(L) x 760mm(W) x 760mm (H)
two (2) entry wristbands for both event day. (1 for yourself and 1 for your assistant or associate)
Optional add-on of access to electricity ($70 excl. GST)
Overload Artist
Half Table
includes:
half a table, one (1) chair.
900mm(L) x 760mm(W) x 760mm (H)
one (1) artist entry wristband for both event days
Optional add-on of access to electricity ($70 excl. GST)
IMPORTANT TO NOTE!
- No more than two people per table are allowed at any time for health and safety reasons.
- Any displays must only be a maximum height of 2.3 metres from floor.
- We do not supply display panels or tablecloths; we recommend you bring your own tablecloth and devise innovative display methods, provided they comply with health and safety guidelines.
HOW THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORKS
There are 3 main steps to successfully becoming a registered artist for Overload 2026: Application, Lottery, then Registration.
Step 1: Application
Online application is open from 1st March 2026 to 14th March 2026
The form will require the following information:
- Artist details and contact information
- Your preferred type of Overload Table (Full/Half), and optional add-on of electricity
- Any disability/accessibility/mobility needs
- Artist profile Information (name, logo/profile image, website/social media)
- Online portfolio for screening (please refer to FAQs for more details)
All applications will be screened to ensure adherence to the terms and conditions (i.e.: appropriate for Overload, no AI, no bootleg, no commercially produced items, no traced artwork, etc.). Fan art and fan crafts are acceptable. Your art style and skill level do not affect eligibility.
Please note: only 1 entry per artist, multiple entries will be discarded.
Step 2: Lottery
Once the application period has closed and the screening procedure is complete the eligible applications will be entered into the lottery. A randomiser will be used to select the lucky applicants for an offer of registration. Successful applicants can expect an email from the Overload Committee to inform them of this on Monday 30th March. Artists who are not selected in the initial results due to capacity limits will be waitlisted and may be contacted when a table space becomes available.
Step 3: Registration
Successful applicants will receive instructions for how to complete Artist Registration (payment) and secure a table in the announcement email on Monday 30th March. The registration offer will be valid for 1 week until Sunday 5th April. Failure to complete registration will result in your table being offered to an artist randomly selected from the waitlist.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for Overload 2026 Artist Market will be open from March 1st 2026 at 9 am, and close 11:59 pm on March 14th 2026 via Google forms.
You will have 14 days to submit an application, be sure to take your time filling out your details correctly.
Artist applications for Overload 2026 have closed! If you have any Artist Market enquiries, please email us at [email protected]
ARTIST MARKET TABLE FAQ
Yes. We require a portfolio review to confirm that all artists meet the Overload Table criteria. Your submission should showcase what you plan to sell; however, previous work may be used if your new collection is not yet ready.
Reminder: All table items must be designed or created by you. Before submitting, please review the ‘Restricted Sale Items’ in our Artist Table Terms and Conditions. The Overload Committee will screen all linked portfolios for event appropriateness and adherence to our original-work policy.
Your art/design styles and skill level will NOT affect your application.
Your submission should showcase what you plan to sell.
Acceptable websites for your portfolio include but is not limited to: your own created website (via Wix, Carrd, Squarespace, etc.), online storefronts (via Etsy, Shopify, Storenvy, etc.), public Instagram accounts, Deviantart.
Unacceptable websites for your portfolio include but is not limited to: X (Twitter), Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Youtube, access-restricted Google Docs/Drive, Patreon, Kofi
The Overload Artist Table is how we support our community of Anime and Manga creatives, by providing an affordable platform for fans and enthusiasts to sell their artworks and goods to the New Zealand Anime and Manga community. We welcome artists both local and international, amateur and professional. Registering for an Overload Artist Table is a fantastic way to connect with the community and your fellow artists.
All items sold by you must be designed or created by you. Fan art and fan crafts based on Asian media (i.e.: anime, manga, manhwa, manhua, donghua, live action TV shows, video games, phone games, etc.) and western pop culture series are accepted. Overload Committee defines fan art and fan crafts as your original work based on licensed, copyrighted material and characters. Overload Artist Tables are not for companies selling commercially licensed goods.
Please bear in mind that our Overload Community’s interests are Anime, Manga and Japanese games.
Popular goods sold at previous years’ Overload Artist Tables include illustrations, posters, comics/manga, key chains, charms, games, book-marks, buttons, badges, plushies and portrait services – our artists bring a lot of variety, so feel free to experiment with your creativity!
Yes. If you are an artist wishing to support Overload in a different capacity along with requiring more space. The lottery system does not apply to Exhibitor Stands but portfolios are still required. You can enquire about booking an Exhibitor Stand by contacting us at [email protected]
If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the registered artist cannot attend the event, your registration can be transferred ONLY if there is an artist from the waitlist who is willing to take your table – the waitlist artist will be selected at random by the Overload Committee. Only then can your registration be transferred and registration fee refunded (excluding processing fees). Contact [email protected]
Important:
- No transfers of tables will be considered after 1st of July 2026.
- If you transfer tables after the event program deadline, updates cannot be made.
We are sorry to hear that you can not complete the registration. The lottery is not transferable to a nominated artist of your choice, however, it will be offered to an artist randomly selected from the waitlist.
Thank you for showing interest in having a stand at Overload. Yes, we have an Exhibitor Stand option for companies, schools and artists. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Examples of Artist Market displays
