Press Release: DeviantART, the world’s largest online art community boasting over 18 million registered members worldwide, today announced that it will be the official sponsor of Artists’ Alley at Comic-Con International: San Diego, July 21–24. This is the first time that Comic-Con has allowed a sponsorship of this kind to Artists’ Alley, an area of the convention hall where exhibiting artists interact directly with their fans. DeviantART’s support of this comics and pop-culture institution will be represented in its typically creative style. An installation of two massive digital screens will be suspended high above the showroom floor and multiple digital kiosks displaying art from artists in the Alley will now enable them to showcase their web-based work alongside their physical products.

“We love Artists’ Alley,” says Angelo Sotira, co-founder and chief executive officer of deviantART. “Supporting the many artists represented in this popular section of Comic-Con is an extension of the support system deviantART provides to our community daily. We’re thrilled to be able to give artists online, as well as off, the tools needed to showcase their work digitally and gain feedback from their peers. We are deeply honored by Comic-Con’s invitation to support these truly inspiring artists through this sponsorship of Artists’ Alley.”

Each year, Comic-Con attendees are drawn to Artists’ Alley because of the obscure gems and mainstream titles on physical display, which are oftentimes sold by the comic book artists, writers, and publishers who create them. In addition to the new digital capabilities provided by deviantART, carpeting, improved seating, and electricity will also be contributed to the largest footprint of the convention hall. These material upgrades promise to strengthen the flow of comic devotees in what is consistently one of the busiest sections of the convention hall during this four-day conference.

“We’re very excited that deviantART will be sponsoring Artists’ Alley at Comic-Con,” said David Glanzer, director of marketing and public relations for Comic-Con. “Their commitment to the creative community blends perfectly with Comic-Con’s mission to bring comics and related popular arts to a wider audience. By highlighting and assisting digital artists, deviantART’s sponsorship of Artists’ Alley will allow those artists a broader opportunity for the public to enjoy and appreciate their creative efforts, and for this we are truly grateful.”

DeviantART will also be giving two emerging artists – one digital and one traditional comic artist – the chance to attend Comic-Con as guests of Artists’ Alley through sponsored scholarships. For the latest updates about deviantART at Artists’ Alley or for additional information about how to submit for the deviantART scholarships, please visit comic-con.deviantart.com.