I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately. In parenting circles you here the phrase “it takes a village” but little discussion of the work that goes into making that village. I think my theme for 2025 is going to be putting in the energy to try and build up my village. Humans are social animals after all. :3

Furry Art Party, March 1st in Boston

First things first, I am going to attempt to host a furry art jam in Boston, MA. I was able to find an affordable and easy to access venue so I want to give it a shot. I’ve never been a fan of the traditional “furry bowling” style meet but have been craving the chance to connect with local furries in small groups. See the link below for more details.

More details on the event page!

I’d really like for this to work and turn into a re-occurring event. I personally have so many art supplies and skills I would love to share with other furry artists. It would be so much fun to do a silk screening party! Or art trades in real time! If it goes well I’m really hoping to do the next one in July for Art Fight because I think that would be fun.

Babyfur Con

There will also be a whole slew of very talented artists and guests presenting. I highly recommend checking it out.

Find out more on the official Babyfur Con website.

I am also planning on selling a YCH watercolor slot to be done during the panel. The proceeds will be donated to the convention. 🙂

Anthro New England 2025 Report

One of the big differences this year is that I was able to find the ANE Cub Hub telegram chat before I went. So as I contemplated how to kill time before the night market I found a group of babyfurs trying to get a SFW meet-up going. We were never able to find a room but I did get to play Exploding Kittens for the first time. I quiet enjoyed it.

As we were wrapping up our game I ran into Six, who I had met the last time I was at ANE. We walked and chatted and he ended up following me to the line to Outer Limits. Outer Limits was a special 18+ evening that included 18+ shows and a special adult dealers den. I think this is a newer trend in furry conventions but I’m a big fan! I loved the vibe, it was very celebratory and fun. Unfortunately the rest of the convention agree because the area was PACKED. I made it into the Night Market but quickly had to leave due to crowding. I was genuinely concerned it might turn into a crush event. I did catch a bit of a drag show on the way out which was super fun.

Saturday morning was fairly uneventful. I went to the dealer’s den and artist alley which were an absolute treat. There was a very good variety of goods this year. There were even people tattooing in the den! I immediately spent a ton of money, then felt guilty and didn’t buy anything else the rest of the con haha. I wish I had gone back for another pass.

After a quick lunch at my favorite Boston bakery, Flour. I headed to the game room for a one shot of Dragon Bane run by Bazil. I very much enjoyed the system! As much as I love Dungeons and Dragons, the current iteration can be a little dull. I miss the scrappy battles and creative problem solving earlier editions brought. I really enjoyed how flexible my abilities were.

Of course it’s hard to tell if the game system itself was the part I liked or Bazil’s excellent gamemastering. One of the better one shots I’ve played. 🙂 Bazil had us investigating a group of wild boars attacking the mountain resort town, chaos ensued. (of course) I think I picked up a few tricks for the next time I run a one shot too.

Most of the evening was spent milling around talking to new people and enjoying some quite time in my hotel room. A group coordinated an un-official Little Troubles tgc meet-up. I forgot ALL of my cards at home but I was excited to play with someone other than my husband. I ran into Six again at the meet-up and he absolutely creamed me with one of the starter decks. I think I’ve decided it’s not my favorite game. I DO love the art though. I’m excited to get a box of the new fantasy cards coming out. I’d like to play more and see if my opinion changes after I get a better feel for the game.

My hotel room was quiet, small, and very fancy. I would stay at the Omni Seaport again for a treat, but I’m not sure I would for this convention. The vibe was a little too fancy to feel comfortable wearing my crazy furry outfits in. I think my main regret is that I didn’t have a bigger room to host a party in. I’d love to do a SFW/little space meet next year. Most of the room parties I heard of were very 18+. Not my cup of tea.

I did enjoy some little time rolling around on my beautiful new blanket from Candy Critters. I’m not sure why but something about the colorful animals and vintage inspired art just triggers my little space HARD. I had been looking for a fleece blanket for a while now too. Needless to say I have spent a lot of time cuddled up with it since I’ve gotten back from ANE.

I had a lovely time talking to people in line waiting for the babyfur meet-up panel. I had brought my sketchbook and travel paints with the intention to find a spot to coop up in at the convention and draw but waiting in line for this panel was the only time I had to do it! The panel itself was very, very crowded. The only activity we had was coloring, which was fine but a far cry from the insane set-up of the Megaplex meet-up! I grabbed three crayons and handed them out, roping people into coloring the same piece of paper with me. There was a lot of scribbling and at one point we started stabbing it, whoops…

The last time I went to ANE in 2020 there was absolutely no babyfur events or panels so this was a welcomed change. I also noticed there were a LOT more women and non-binary littles!!! ANE always felt like such a dude-bro party for me I often felt excluded. Whenever I tried to reach out to other littles at the con in previous years I got the impression they didn’t know what to make of me.

I left ANE really excited about the possibilities for future events. This year was the first time in a long time I really put myself out there. I really struggle to make friends and often feel like I’m “bothering people” by talking to them. Sometimes I feel very alone in the furry community. Like no one really wants to play with me or that I don’t quite fit in. I think this convention was a big reminder that a lot of my problem is that I don’t extend the open paw either.

With recent political events in the US I deeply feel like we all need community more than ever. Not community online, but community in our backyards. I am AWFUL at communicating via online message but there are things I’m good at! I’d like to have furry pen pals again! I’d like to try and host meets! Both littlefur and art meets! I’m hoping the rest of my spring events continue to go well and I’m looking forward to the possibilities of the warmer months.