Last weekend's Kimball Arts Festival was visited by thieves who came in the night and burglarized several tents.
Police say sometime between 1am and 6am Sunday a person, or group of people, burglarized seven booths. Two of the items stolen were hand-carved wooden chairs valued at $11,000.
"I found out about it as I was walking down the street this morning 39 back to my booth someone had some chairs stolen," said Ron Benoit of Woodensound Fine Woodworking.
They weren't Benoit's chairs, but the artist in the booth next to his. Along with the two chairs, several art pieces and a handmade jacket were stolen. A sculpture was also vandalized.This is a long running and highly respected festival.
Learn more here: http://www.good4utah.com/news/top-stories/over-20k-in-art-stolen-from-park-city-festival#.V7NuIkzpJzQ.facebook
What precautions do you take to prevent this from happening to you?
Comments
Thanks Karen...I didn't realize their coverage was that extensive
Greg, my insurance is with ACT Insurance (for Artists, Crafters & Tradesmen). It's underwritten by Great American Insurance Company and administered by Veracity Insurance Solutions, LLC. For info go to www.actinsurance.com. You can email the administrative company at info@actinsurance.com.
Trimline...you listening? Any ideas about wire reinforced security tent walls?
Maybe we should start camping overnight inside our tents!
I have very large pieces, but they're paintings, so not heavy. I do load out every night (or my husband does it, rather, as I'm disabled). It's annoying, but as we load out only the artwork, it doesn't take that long--half hour. I do realize that would be extremely difficult for some people, but if everyone started doing that, the madness and mayhem that would ensue might force show organizers to step up their security game and monitor the behavior of the security guards.
I will always load out every night, though, as I believe the only thing that really prevents a lot of theft at every show is that the public doesn't realize we leave our artwork in the tents over night.
For sure! Certainly seen those used on closed booths.
One sharp box cutter equals quick entry to any tent, zip ties or not.
Wow, Greg. That is cool. Something we always did to slow them down and make it hard to get into the booth was to put zip ties (those tough nylon ones) through the zipper pulls and attach them to our weight bags. We would also, especially if it looked like rain, but could also work in a security situation, take all work off the walls and put in their boxes place all boxes in the middle of the booth, cover with a tarp and use padlocks connected to our racks ...
You are so right, Greg! I've never seen this before, but it looks promising.
Here is one piece of security equipment I have that is certainly better than nothing. The way I view it is every bit helps... it is obvious that show security is quite useless and until it improves (if it ever does) we all need to deal with it ourselves.
It is unrealistic for many artists to take down their work and take it with them each evening. This is more easily dome with smaller pieces but for those of us that take a long time to just set up our artwork...reality check. Also imagine everyone also driving their vehicles in the festival each morning to unload.
This is very disheartening. I am so sorry that it happened to all of you. I am fortunate that I make jewelry, so have an easier time getting my inventory out each night. Having to remove heavy items, and, in many cases, not being able to drive into your booth, would make it so difficult for you. I don't understand gratuitous theft (ie, not reselling the items), nor do I understand just making a mess for the fun of it, destroying things just for the fun of it.
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