feedback on great lakes art fair in Novi Mi.

Replies

Jan Raven September 17, 2010 at 11:47pm

I did the Spring version of this show and also fretted about the bizarre requirement to provide a 12' wide back drape. Do you hear that, show promoters? BIZARRE. While I appreciated having a bit of wiggle room between booths, it wasn't really necessary. Providing a back drape corresponding to your booth width (standard 10') is easy enough to do with drapes, but how to extend it an extra 2'?? Personally, I brought some PVC pipe and extra curtains with a bunch of duct tape, thinking that at the very least I could use the tape to strap the PVC onto my canopy framework, and then hang a curtain. As it turns out, both my neighbors used a bit of the space, and no one from the show commented on the few inches on each side of me that allowed a view to the rear storage area.

And no, you didn't miss anything in the instructions. They were wonderfully vague about the drapery issue. I won't be there in the fall as I have a previous commitment, but I'm very interested to hear how it went, afterwards. Be sure to write a review!!
- Connie Mettler > Jan Raven September 18, 2010 at 9:37pm
  
  I can understand the 'bizarre' thought, Jan -- but the first indoor shows we ever did were put on by the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the staff would walk through the show and make sure that each booth was totally enclosed and if not make you do that. So, this kind of falls into that category, and the Showplace managers are used to dealing with trade shows, not artists. Artists usually know these things and have their own equipment.
  - Diane Wright > Connie Mettler September 18, 2010 at 9:47pm
    
    Connie,
    Just a clarification - 3 walls enclosed? I have a pipe and drape and gridwalls that I will back with fabric. It appears that I am at the end of a row. Can I have it open on two sides?