The 2020 LightBox Expo Online takes place September 11-13, 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has gone relatively easy on the animation, illustration and commercial art industry since many professionals are already used to working on their own and many studios had invested heavily in workflow technologies before the crisis struck. But one area it feels the same pain as everyone else is on the live events side: the trade shows where aspiring artists pitch to studios, companies focus their recruitment, exhibitors peddle their wares, and everyone networks. Fortunately, one of the premier events for the industry and its fans has found an innovative and potentially rewarding solution that raises the bar for virtual events in both the tradeshow and consumer exhibition space.

In 2019, the debut edition of LightBox Expo immediately established itself as a must-do event for artists and their fans. The Pasadena, California-based show drew 9,500 attendees with programs featuring some of the top names in animation, video effects, game design, illustration and commercial art. Showrunners Bobby Chiu (founder of the art instruction site Schoolism) and Jim Demonakos (founder/head of Seattle’s Emerald City Comic-Con from its inception to its sale in 2015) combined the instructional value of a conference, the professional value of a trade show, and the excitement of a consumer-oriented fan convention, setting the template for an annual industry tradition.

Heading into this year, LightBox announced a lineup featuring even more programming and a star-studded lineup, with guests including Oscar winner Everett Downing (co-director of Hair Love), Rona Liu (production designer at Pixar Animation Studios), James Gurney (creator of Dinotopia), Natalie Hall (artist on The Shape of Water), Loish (internet influencer), Claire Wendling (Spectrum Grand Master 2018), Andy Park (Director of Visual Development at Marvel Studios) and hundreds of others.

But, like just about all live events this year, LightBox was forced to scrub its in-person edition for 2020 and move the show online. So how will the show – which runs September 11-13 – manage the transition?

“There’s nothing quite like being in a convention center surrounded by like-minded people who are there for the same reason,” said Demonakos, observing that online, you’ll miss the serendipity of interacting with people you encounter in lines or in casual social situations. “But on the plus side, we’re creating a lot of opportunities for people to attend the event from every corner of the globe. We’re creating all new experiences, like the virtual artist alley, which have not been seen before.”

Indeed, LightBox’s virtual 3D show floor is one of the really head-turning aspects of the event. Hundreds of artists from around the world get to exhibit in “booths” arranged in digital space, which present their works, their social media links and channels, and their storefronts where fans can buy prints and originals.

“It works on any web browser, your phone, and is even compatible with VR heads for a truly awesome experience,” said LightBox Expo co-founder and Creative Director Bobby Chiu.

Stan Prokopenko, an artist, entrepreneur and educator whose art videos have garnered millions of subscribers on YouTube, is optimistic that this year’s virtual LightBox will exceed expectations. “They’re trying to make it into an actual online convention instead of a watered-down regular convention. They’ve found a digital-friendly way to do it. Everyone gets a page and promotional opportunities. There’s way more opportunity to attend panels – which was tough last year because of the crowds.”

Prokopenko, who is hosting several programs for LightBox this year, noted that unlike other online conventions, exhibitors get to present their programming through their own social channels – YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, etc. – rather than a branded LightBox channel. “That’s better because they’ll probably get more views. Even for smaller creators, LightBox is sending traffic to their sites, which gives artists the freedom to reach audiences the way they want to reach them.”

Maria Paz Muñoz Balharry, an aspiring background designer who attended LightBox last year as a way to get familiar with the industry and sharpen her career focus, says she is really looking forward to this year’s edition despite missing out on the in-person networking. “I’m very intrigued by what they’re doing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to going to as many panels as I can. This year I don’t need to pick and choose – I can go to all the ones I really want to see without having to worry about lines.”

Both she and Prokopenko said they were curious how Lightbox would handle the crucial trade show aspects of personal and professional interaction, such as portfolio reviews. Some of that is taking place online through scheduled appointments. There are also industry meet-and-greets on the Discord platform.

Demonakos said that the show’s Artist Database will be a key component in facilitating professional interactions.

“Every person who registers has the opportunity to be part of the LBX Artist Database,” he said. “It is a way of helping studios and companies find the artists they're looking for, and for artists to get noticed by the top studios in the industry. Artists can log in and upload their portfolio and information, and the studios and companies are able to browse and find the artists that they want and arrange to meet them during the weekend of LBX Online. It’s a unique system that allows for amazing connections to be created.”

Chiu and Demonakos appear to have learned from six months of online shows and conventions, developing a creative event for a creative industry with high expectations. “At the end of the day, we’re taking the idea of what an online convention could be and making it as progressive and innovative as we can in the time frame allowed to us,” said Demonakos.

Registration for LightBox Expo Online is open now to anyone with an internet connection worldwide. Registration is on a sliding scale, ranging from $1 for basic access to a deluxe $40 membership that comes with tote bag featuring with artwork created for LightBox Expo Online by renowned Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, as well as an exclusive print by Bobby Chiu, and much more.

Virtual Artist Alley at LightBox Expo Online 2020