Best tent for stained glass artist

Hi All --

This past summer was my first on the art show circuit, and we started out with a King Canopy, which performed quite well. I'm a stained glass artist, so my husband built a framework out of weighted 4x4 corner posts and horizontal metal pipe so I can hang my work on two levels. We've had a lot of compliments from other artists on our booth's sturdiness, but I would like some advice on an upgraded tent for future shows. There are two reasons for this: I want to be able to haul and set up my booth by myself, and want to be able to get everything locked up in the back of our truck. Our present arrangement has the corner posts and metal pipe sticking out the back.

So my question is this: what is the best tent for one-person assembly and bright enough to show my work with the sides down? The King Canopy is bright enough. I've seen some tents that are abysmally dark, and that won't work. It needs to have horizontal bars so I can hang my work on two levels, would be nice if it had an awning, and a way to exit the back. In other words, lots of flexibility.

Any suggestions will be most welcome!

- Claudia

I have some of the Armstrong glass display system and the aluminum is very sturdy, yet lightweight. If you are a stained glass artist I would recommend it. The open hanging system allows you to easily hang transparent sections so that light is transmitted from either side and they can be arranged in a multitude of configurations in the same manner that you would use pro panels. Using bungie cords, the aluminum sections work well in conjunction with pro panels, and if you require shelving, they also have triangular wooden shelves available that fits into the corner sections. If Armstrong has discontinued the line, then perhaps you could find some secondhand.

My husband and I have been doing outdoor shows for many years with large glass pieces. I have found that to set up a sturdy booth display it is very important to use stabilizer bars on the legs of your tent, and cross brace your display overhead with something like the pro panel support bars.

Replies

Larry Berman September 20, 2010 at 11:55am

Considering that most canopies are similar in that they are white and translucent, I think it's more about the walls or structure you use to hang your work on that you're asking about. You need something like this Armstrong Display setup:
http://www.armstrongproducts.com/glasslite09.htm

It's showing as discontinued so I'd call the company and ask if they still carry it or could suggest a replacement. Or build your own using the picture for design concept.

Larry Berman
Digital J u r y Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Claudia Ariss > Larry Berman September 20, 2010 at 3:57pm
  
  I've been looking at Showoffs, and they do sell a stained glass tent frame. But that plus the tent is $1,850 without vents or awning. Ouch! I'll check out Trimline. Thanks, Amy!
  - Jaky Felix > Claudia Ariss September 21, 2010 at 2:50pm
    
    I have some of the Armstrong glass display system and the aluminum is very sturdy, yet lightweight. If you are a stained glass artist I would recommend it. The open hanging system allows you to easily hang transparent sections so that light is transmitted from either side and they can be arranged in a multitude of configurations in the same manner that you would use pro panels. Using bungie cords, the aluminum sections work well in conjunction with pro panels, and if you require shelving, they also have triangular wooden shelves available that fits into the corner sections. If Armstrong has discontinued the line, then perhaps you could find some secondhand.
    
    My husband and I have been doing outdoor shows for many years with large glass pieces. I have found that to set up a sturdy booth display it is very important to use stabilizer bars on the legs of your tent, and cross brace your display overhead with something like the pro panel support bars.
    - Claudia Ariss > Jaky Felix September 23, 2010 at 1:49pm
      
      Thank you Jaky! I'm still wondering about the idea of abandoning my system, since it really is incredibly stable, albeit heavy to carry and sticks out the back of our truck. An aluminum display system sounds like heaven, but then I'm faced with buying a new tent along with that. The King Canopy is fairly flimsy, so needs the 4x4 corner posts and metal pipe to give it weight. I think something like a Showoff with the stained glass frame would be lighter but still stable (with weights), but that outfit is $2125 before shipping. I REALLY appreciate your input, and will take all of these suggestions into consideration for next year.
- Claudia Ariss > Larry Berman September 20, 2010 at 12:23pm
  
  Larry - Thanks for your quick reply! I love that the frame is aluminum . . . I've been dealing with steel pipe. I will call and get the info on it.
  - Claudia
  - Amy Schulz > Claudia Ariss September 20, 2010 at 12:55pm
    
    As a glass artist myself, I find that the best thing is a STURDY display. You do not want something that could be knocked over or blown over in the wind. That would be my concern with going with the aluminum display- you would need to test it out. Since I deal with 3D mainly, I use sturdy shelves and gridwall for my etched mirrors. I attach all of this to the tent itself for stability and weighting down the tent itself.
    
    Lighting is very important. I do not usually have my walls down during the daytime. And I always have good lighting available if the sun is not doing its job well. The more sparkle the better!
    
    Amy Schulz
    - Claudia Ariss > Amy Schulz September 20, 2010 at 2:24pm
      
      Thanks Amy! Yes, that's what I love about the setup I have now. It's sturdy beyond belief. The 4x4 corner-posts my husband built have heavy, poured concrete bases. This is all tied together with heavy metal pipes (two rows on 3 walls) screwed into the corner posts, and boards around the 3 sides at the bottom for more stability. I hang my wall sculpture on ProPanels that are tied down to the corner posts. We get heavy winds in Colorado, and at one show, everyone across from me had swaying canopies, and mine held steady as a rock. I'm just exploring options right now, and may decide that what I have is the best.
      
      Lighting is something I'm going to work on for next year. Do you use a marine battery for power? What kind of lights do you use?
      
      - Claudia
      - Amy Schulz > Claudia Ariss September 20, 2010 at 3:08pm
        
        I do use a marine battery. I use lights that I purchased at Wal-Mart that are silver and have clamps and bendable necks. These cost around $10. I then use daylight compact florescent bulbs as they use less power.
        
        Claudia Ariss > Amy Schulz September 20, 2010 at 3:51pm
        
        Thanks, Amy! The lights sound like they'd be perfect to attaching to the tops of ProPanels and/or top bracing. I really appreciate the info! - Claudia

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