áyA Con

áyA Con is a comic and arts festival celebrating nerd culture and cultural heritage. Held at the historic McNichols Civic Center Building in the heart of Denver, Colorado.  This year the dates will be from October 4th through October 6th with an educators day on the 4th. All are welcome to join us in a full weekend of connection, art and Indigeneity hosted by North American Indigenous peoples!

Our event focuses on sharing perspectives, celebrating differences and connecting through a shared love for art and nerd culture! We cultivate relationships and community building through opportunity and place holding. Our festival highlights comics and storytelling, illustration, traditional arts, fashion, performance and more!

The word áyA is a Lakota word meaning to change to become. Our logo was designed by our co-founder/director Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand and is a crow flying into a sun composed of people and graphics presenting various forms of art supplies and hobbies-like comic books and video games. Why a crow? Crows and Ravens are among the few birds that fly through a storm instead of away from it, they are a symbol of resilience, innovation, creativity, intelligence, and loyalty. The crow flying into the sun is to represent flying out of the storm into a brighter future. 

This event is supported by Denver Arts & Venues thorugh the EDI Arts & Culture Fund. 

Educators Day - Oct. 4
Looking for a great field trip for your class, group or education program? Come on Friday for innovative arts and education panels, vendors, treats and more! Bring some money for lunch from our delicious food trucks also!

Oct. 5
Vendors 10am-5pm
Music and dance performances
Panels
Futurism Fashion Showcase and Two Spirit drag performance (separately ticketed)

Oct. 6
Vendors 10am-5pm
Music and dance performances
Panels
COSPLAY CONTEST sponsored by MEOWWOLF

More information at www.ayacondenver.art