Hello everyone!
I am new to the art fest world. Very new, as in I've never done a fest show. I have experience selling my work online and in galleries, and am just now trying the art fest route.
I bought a gently used Trimline 10' x 10' tent, but that is all I have so far. What I am really struggling with now is pro panels. They are soooo expensive, but I love the look rather than having my paintings flap about on the walls of the tent.
What do you guys think of having large pieces of carpet bound at the edges, and hanging those from the top of the tent, so they hang down along the walls. I can afford to invest in one or two pro panels for now, to divide my tent up a bit more and make it more visually appealing. I would use these in addition to the bound carpet pieces.
Do you guys think this would work? I also like the free hanging carpet idea because the carpets could be rolled after for easy transportation.
Please let me know. All input is greatly appreciated!
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Hello Ila. Somehow I stumbled on this discussion and it sounds like there is so much great advice. Speaking from an artist who is only going into her 4th year of doing shows, I can't tell you how many versions I have gone through in designing my booth based on the thousands of variables there are. In hindsight, I should have walked as many shows as I could before making purchases. I started out with tables & custom table cloths/skirts to grid wall to Pro Panel walls and now mesh walls. I am a jewelry artisan so I have many challenges that other artists don't such as theft. Anyway, I see where you are looking at Pro Panels and Connie is right in that they are not the end all and you are right in that they are very expensive. I made the mistake of purchasing Pro Panel walls for the price of over $1700 and as it turns out, they won't work for me. Lesson #1 - don't buy new! LOL. Anyway, if you find yourself still wanting Pro Panel walls, I do have mine for sale for $950. I have a post under the classifieds with pics & detail info if interested. Wishing you the best!
Good for you, Ila. If you are adventurous you will enjoy the challenges of this business. Not spending big bucks in anticipation of high returns at the shows is pretty smart too.
Thank you Connie! Your post was very helpful. I have total respect for you guys at this point! I am brand new to the art fest circuit and feel way in over my head, but I'm charging forward! Thanks again everyone!
Thank you so much for the advice! Loren, your panels sound wonderful but I am no where near that handy. I'm going to try the carpet with the wood braces at the ends. I'll let you know how that goes!
I'd be concerned about the edges curling. I made my own panels using instructions from http://www.erniekleven.com. They look just as good as the expensive ones but cost only about $50 each, other artists are surprised when I tell them at shows that they are "homemade."
I saw this at an art show recently and it was very intriguing. The artist used the indoor/ outdoor grey carpet from Lowes and put a 1" x 2" board at the top and bottom and used clamps to hold to the sides of the tent. It looked almost identical to propanels with the added quality of being able to roll them up at the end of the show.
Replies
Hello Ila. Somehow I stumbled on this discussion and it sounds like there is so much great advice. Speaking from an artist who is only going into her 4th year of doing shows, I can't tell you how many versions I have gone through in designing my booth based on the thousands of variables there are. In hindsight, I should have walked as many shows as I could before making purchases. I started out with tables & custom table cloths/skirts to grid wall to Pro Panel walls and now mesh walls. I am a jewelry artisan so I have many challenges that other artists don't such as theft. Anyway, I see where you are looking at Pro Panels and Connie is right in that they are not the end all and you are right in that they are very expensive. I made the mistake of purchasing Pro Panel walls for the price of over $1700 and as it turns out, they won't work for me. Lesson #1 - don't buy new! LOL. Anyway, if you find yourself still wanting Pro Panel walls, I do have mine for sale for $950. I have a post under the classifieds with pics & detail info if interested. Wishing you the best!
Good for you, Ila. If you are adventurous you will enjoy the challenges of this business. Not spending big bucks in anticipation of high returns at the shows is pretty smart too.
One of my best posts that you might find helpful is at this link, where I attended a show and looked at all the different kinds of displays. Pro Panels are NOT a necessity. Click here: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/how-do-you-like-this-...
I'd be concerned about the edges curling. I made my own panels using instructions from http://www.erniekleven.com. They look just as good as the expensive ones but cost only about $50 each, other artists are surprised when I tell them at shows that they are "homemade."
I saw this at an art show recently and it was very intriguing. The artist used the indoor/ outdoor grey carpet from Lowes and put a 1" x 2" board at the top and bottom and used clamps to hold to the sides of the tent. It looked almost identical to propanels with the added quality of being able to roll them up at the end of the show.