Displaying at a festival

03-03-2003, 03:25 PM

I am entering an art festival this coming summer and a studio tour in the spring. I noticed last year when I went to these exhibitions that most of the artists had made their displays in which their art hung - to fit in a 10 x 10 space. Does anyone have suggestions in how to either make a display or where I can at least buy one? It would have to be able to support my artwork on both sides for hanging.

Melissa

Michele Rushworth · 03-03-2003, 08:27 PM

There are lots of companies that make walls and other fixtures specifically for art shows. Off the top of my head I can't remember the names of them, but I'm sure a quick web search would get you quite a few listings. They can be quite pricey.

I did a very big outdoor show last fall (and got a $7,000 commission from it!) I just displayed half a dozen framed paintings on easels, under a white 10'x10' canopy that I bought at a local camping store. I had a few banners and signs made for the sides of the canopy, at Kinko's. I had a card table covered with a floor length elegant table cloth on which I put my portfolio and business cards.

I also did a painting demo for the two days of the outdoor show, which got a lot of attention. It also let me get quite a bit of work done on the beginning stages of a commission I was working on.

Next year I might spring for some more expensive booth fixtures but I haven't decided yet.

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 12:27 PM

I have built several displays, but I had the most success with the last one for a 10' x 10" area. It is made of black 1/4" PVC material. I had the plastics company hot bend four sheets in the center so that they would stand on their own. I love it. I bought some desk clamp goose neck light fixtures, removed the bowls and furnished them with small display spot lights to give them the petite look. I removed the clamps, drilled holes in the PVC, and used the existing nuts to mount the lights on the PVC. It is ideal, easy to set up, and very attractive.

Light fixtures= $5.00 ea
PVC = $40 each
Bending fee = $25 each panel

Michele Rushworth · 03-04-2003, 01:22 PM

A beautiful display, Lon. Can you post more images of details of your space?

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 03:42 PM

Thank you, Michele. I am home today, but I will post some snapshot close-ups tomorrow evening after work.

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 08:31 PM

Here are several shots. You can see that I have made an enclosure with a third hinged PVC board. I can store art, brooms and canvases here. They are latched and locked. The doors make these two sectons harder to move. If you need portability, these doors need to be removable.

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 08:33 PM

The above shows the simple and inexpensive lighting, and the vinyl lettering. I like to fully explain my services. It is really funny - people come up and ask me what I do - even with the signs!!!

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 08:35 PM

and . . .

The red lettered sign says, "Now offering free demonstration pose." I sell most of the demonstrations I do. It allows me to be politely assertive.

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 08:37 PM

I use my empty drawing board for a closed sign which is covered by my drawing pad when open. I have used bent 1/8" gray PVC for skirting around my drawing table. It works very well, cleans easily, and looks good.

Lon Haverly · 03-04-2003, 08:38 PM

I picked up a display cabinet from a store which closed and covered it with adhesive vinyl. Here you can see additional PVC skirting in front of the shelves on the ends which slides out and stands on its own. It is easy to bent the 1/8" PVC over a broom handle with a hot air gun.

I store all kinds of stuff behind these skirtings.