Hello all, I am new to the Art Fair Scene. I have been stalking the canvas booth and panel discussions as well as used sales (here and on Craigslist) and websites for all brands mentioned here.
I can get this from all the comments: Flourish will be about the best.
But here is my concern, I am yet to attend my first show and have no idea how well anything of mine will sell. Maybe this is the year I say I know I tried and I made no money and my art will remain my art. I am aware this is a big possibility. So the expense would be too much.
I am of a mind top buy a cheap pop-up for this year and if all goes well THEN invest in something of quality and long lasting. My concern is being here in Michigan and all my shows are here in the Midwest tristate area, we can have some nasty storms and I don't want to be the one chasing a tent all over the place.
Does anyone have advice? Whether it is to tell me it's not worth my time or money, or that it is, or yes, here's a cheaper "starter" tent recommendation or what you think, in your experience, is what you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Thank you!
Replies
Great recommendations. You guys talked me into it though, I did end up buying a slightly used good quality tent. I figure if I'm doing 10 shows this summer I better be well equipped. I love this forum because everyone is so willing to share their experiences. I hope someday I can do the same! :)
Best of luck, Kyra!
If you bought a good condition tent that is used, and then treated it well, you could probably sell it little to no loss within 2 years. Trimlines are sturdy. I bought some parts new and, after the shipping I thought... next time I need parts I'm just going to buy a whole used tent! Would last me years.
Also, booths can get crazy expensive... there's always something to add or do. But at the end of the day, basic booths are perfectly fine.
I would never advise an artist to get a cheap pop up tent that are like $200 at sporting goods stores. We just see too many fail. If you had to buy a cheaper pop up then get the sturdier ones because that's money well spent and there are just so many super cheap tents. It's a risk that really isn't worth saving so little money. There are a lot of posts about cheaper pop ups. I think King Canopy is reputable, although I never used them.
I would suggest buying some heavy weights as well. I like the 40+ pound weights with handles built in. They're smaller and have handy handles! Weights cannot be over appreciated enough. Additionally, these probably resell easily on sites like Craigslist for home gyms.
When I started we didn't have tents!
My first tent was a KD Majestic and it is what I still use. It has been reliable.
I realize that starting out can be scary, but you can change your mindset and believe in yourself, your work, and your business savvy. Plan to succeed! Best wishes.
If you go the ez up route, buy 2 and keep one with you as a spare. They are small when in their carrying case. Be prepared to loose your work once if it is weather sensitive and make heavy weights out of 4" pipe and concrete with eye hole hardware on the top. 45 lbs from Larry is a good guide. Tie them to the top corner using bungee cords as stated above, but be sure and tie them to the tent leg to keep them from swinging in the wind. Bouncing good, swinging bad. Scotch guard the entire top before you use the tent as none of the pop up style tends are actually water proof. and look up the hula hoop method for propping the roof up, because they pool water and the weight of the water is what takes down most pop up tents. You can do all that including two tents for about $600 and most likely make through one or two to three seasons. You can also buy a 10 x 10 white tarp and put it over the tent structure between the roof and the supports and tie it to the tent to add water proofing for your work, but that process is a pain in the a... and does not do much if the tent goes down from water weight or wind.
Many shows have tent rentals available for around $200 per show. They set them up and tear them down, it is quite decadent (LOL) but the tents are usually heavy vinyl, hot in the summer and ALWAYS very dark. Take lighting with you, power sourced leds you can use even after you decide to go Flourish.
I made 3 seasons using these methods, I now have 2 flourish tents 10 x 10 and 10 x 15 and am still using the Home Depot purchased 8 ft 110 volt track light system I purchased when I was using ez ups. they work with show provided power or 2 Stanley power packs ($200 each) when power is not available. I now have been doing shows for about 10 years, so I am still a newbie.
Hope this helps
I have been exhibiting for less than a year. I have an abccanopy pop-up 10 x 10 that I purchased on Amazon. Do not purchase the Ozark tents or other tents that are a lot less stable. I know that price has a consideration for your budget but don't purchase an inexpensive tent and expect it to last even through minimal winds. I started off with 2 x 6 gridwall panels. And within the past 11 months was able to purchase a used set of flourish mesh. I have purchased one panel at a time. And use the first panel I bought for my backwall. And used grid walls on the sides until I got all three panels. That is what my budget allowed as a new artist. currently I have one mesh panel with stabar and connector for sale if you're interested in going this route. I had the panel shipped to me and I'm only asking for for the price of the panel setup $150 plus shipping. It may be a good way for you to start out also as it worked for me.
It's the age-old problem. The thing is, you may not make any money your first year regardless of your tent. I lost $$ the first year, broke even the second and - I'm hoping - on the way to actually showing a profit in my third year. The folks I've talked to at shows have nearly universally told me the same thing: give it five years. The first year I made so many mistakes (but learned a lot). The second year I made more mistakes (like really crappy shows) but learned even more. Not only about the art fairs themselves - but A LOT about my own art and finding my own style and niche.
I went with a Flourish and have never regretted it. When I see other tents fly away or collapse (and I've seen it multiple times) and mine remains resolute (at least so far!), I have considered it money well spent. And, like Larry, know that the tent is a good investment that will have some resale value. In fact, if you go that route and want some mesh panels, let me know. I used them the first year but not since because they didn't fit my style.
If you're only doing a show or two to get your feet wet, then Flourish isn't the way to go. But if you do many more, you'll appreciate the sturdiness.
Some basic thoughts - The new EZ UP is pretty good and a lot stronger than the old ones. I would get a used flourish but not so with an EZ UP unless it is a newer (and less used) model. Certainly not in the same league as flourish but an EZUp should serve you well if you follow Larry's advice about weights. BUT to follow up on weights I strongly suggest that you suspend them from the tent corners using bungie cords. Here's why. The bungies act like shock absorbers and allow the tent to "give" when the wind hits. I have seen light weight tents (like EZ UP's) literally destroyed (almost flattened) damaging a neighboring tent in the process when the legs were "nailed" (figuratively speaking) to the ground with heavy weights. This did not happen to my EZ Up (with suspended weights) at that same show where several tents/displays suffered major damage. You should also lower the tent as much as possible in heavy winds and always at night. Keeping the top lower even by 12 inches reduces the air lift potential. Finally avoid end and corner locations (and ideally hope to be between heavy weight tents) so that your neighbors will provide wind buffers. There never are guarantees and the heavier tents are by far the most secure; but to start you can make it fine with an EZ UP. Good Luck.
That's some good advice right there, Len. Have never thought about bungies on the weights. Makes sense.
I'm in the same boat. I don't think there is anything wrong with going with a cheaper tent when you first start out. LOADS of artists do it. As long as you know the risks with weather and using enough weight to hold down your tent in windy conditions, you should be fine. I figure even if my pop-up tent lasts a few shows that will be good enough to get me started. I haven't yet had any luck finding better resale tent equipment that is geographically feasible for me. I've been looking for a few months and live in a decent sized city with probably 25 or more art shows a year in it...and I haven't found anything yet that fits my budget and is close enough to pick up. When I see something and if it is priced right for me, I'll likely jump on it. Do what feels best to you with where you are. There is so much we can get overwhelmed by when first starting out - there is a lot to think through and figure out. Don't let this be a stumbling block for you. I wish you the best of luck!
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