Denver ayA Con 2023: Denver’s Indigenous Comic and Arts Festival

Offering an eclectic celebration of Indigenous culture, the organizers of Denver ayA Con 2023 hope to build connections and bond over fandoms. Billed as Denver’s Indigenous Comic and Art Festival, ayA Con is an all-inclusive, family friendly exploration of featured comic creators, bead artists, musicians, digital illustrators, designers, and dancers. The three-day weekend kicks off with a special weekend preview and an Ofrenda opening as well as a Rezmetal concert at Levitt Pavilion.

The purpose behind ayA Con is to adjust the romanticized narrative around what it means to be Indigenous. According to ayA Con organizers, this Con is meant to revitalize the core knowledge of indigeneity and celebrate the people who are Indigenous to this land. This gathering features some truly legendary names in the comic book, art, entertainment, and fashion worlds.

At the helm of ayA Con are organizers Kristina Maldonado-Bad Hand (she/her) and her husband Rafael. Kristina is a Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist originally from Taos, New Mexico. With a background in graphic design, illustration, and comic creation, Maldonado-Bad Hand works as the creative and public engagement fellow with the Denver Art Museum, diligently facilitating ethical Indigenous relations with the museum. As a youth, Maldonado-Bad Hand spent a childhood traveling, singing, and dancing with her family at powwows. During high school, she found the world of mixed media art and participated actively in youth art shows, mural projects, and set design for her drama class. Since 2013, Maldonado-Bad Hand has worked in the medium of comic and book illustrations, with multiple published titles to her credit.

Some headliners listed for this year’s ayA Con 2023 include Jorge Garza, Marlena Myles, Rashaad Santiago, Wendy Pini, and Danielle Boyer. Visitors can also anticipate performances from Grupo Huitzilopochtli, Ailani, Machu Linea, Niko Martinez, Sage Bond, Melissa Ivey, Dead Pioneers, Cipriano Ortega, and Michael Tafoya.

There will also be a fashion showcase on Sunday, June 11 emceed by Kerrie Joy with designs from Lilian Lara, Arielle Bergmann, Equillibrium, and Xol Original. Rounding out this celebration of indigeneity is a drag show featuring Indigenous drag artists Rose and Blanca Hoedje, Landa Lakes, Alice Glamoure, and Buffalo Barbie.

Not to go unmentioned are the multitude of vendors, community booths, and novice artists joining ayA Con this year. During our conversation, Maldonado-Bad Hand discussed the importance of supporting up-and-coming artists. Some of the novice artists showcased at this year’s Con include Alyanna Martinez, Kaylee Schuler, Raye Wolfe, Cameron Maldonado, and many more.

Long story short, there will be plenty to choose from and something for the whole family to enjoy. There are certain benefits to purchasing a weekend pass, which is modestly priced at just $30.00. With a weekend pass, you get access to the events on June 9, including the concert at Levitt Pavilion. Denver ayA Con 20203 is from June 9-11. To purchase a weekend pass, you can visit the ayA Con website directly.

Important note: tickets to the Futurisms Fashion Showcase are extra and should be booked separately.

Featured image credit Kristina Maldonado-Bad Hand