Now in its sixth year, Designer Con, is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys and designer apparel with urban, underground and pop art. In a nutshell, it’s all the toy element of Comicon without all the hordes of people—and is specific to just designer toys. Some of the biggest names in the toy and emerging art community will be in attendance.Show organizers Ben Goretsky (3DRetro) and Ayleen Gaspar (Toy Break / October Toys) joined forces in 2009 when the Vinyl Toy Network morphed into Designer Con. Ben likes long walks on the beach, Pay Saber, and hot girls that take photos. Ayleen likes Ewoks, LEGO, and cheese. Their mutual love of designer toys and the lowbrow art scene in Los Angeles brought them together as co-hosts of Toy Break, organizers of DCon, and friends.
When: November 5th, 2011 from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Pasadena Convention Center
Admission: $5 online pre-sale; $7 at the door
Starting at 10 am scheduled activities include:
Goodie Bags will be available for $5 each on a first come first served basis. There will be 100 limited edition Designer Con bags filled with toys, magazines, pins, stickers, and surprises!
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is the world’s premier alt.drawing movement that has now spread to over 100 cities around the world. Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, artists draw glamorous underground performers in a variety of sexy costumes.
World’s Biggest “Blindbox Time” brought to you by Toy Break and Designer Con! Bring a blindbox toy from home or buy one at the show and join us as we attempt to break the largest recorded group blindbox opening record from last year!
LEGO Art Show featuring dozens of original LEGO creations curated by Brandon Griffith!
Skin Deep presented by DKE Toys featuring art by Scott Wilkowski at the DKE Toys booth!
The Gumpy Show featuring custom Gumpy figures by dozens of artists at the Gumpy Revolution booth!
The Suckathon with The Sucklord himself slinging his goods and entertaining the masses as only The Sucklord can from 12 – 5 pm!
My Best Friends Are Metal Heads is a group show featuring custom action figures at the October Toys booth!
Live Painting throughout the day! Attending artists include Doctor A, Scott Tolleson, Ragnar, Chris Ryniak, Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Mr. Toast, Christopher Lee, DrilOne, Leecifer, Tracy Tubera, Holly Stanway, Neil Winn, and more. Past shows have also featured artists such as Frank Kozik, Joe Ledbetter, Amanda Visell, Michelle Valigura, Nathan Hamill, Tim Biskup, Buff Monster, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Angry Woebots, Bwana Spoons, MAD, Miss Mindy, Jeffery Scott, David Horvath, Sun-Min Kim, Luke Chueh, and many more.
