hello to all :)
I have done a fair number of shows (about 75+ in last 6-7 years) and have been using the flourish mesh panels for my display with good results. I like these as they are easy to use and transport but I am thinking of upgrading to pro panels to give a more professional booth look. It seems to be an unwritten (and sometimes written) requirement to get into some of the bigger shows.
I have a couple of questions to those have experience with pro panels. I have been asking a lot of artists at the last shows that I have done what they like and dislike but I am still sitting on the fence on a couple of things.
I like the dark grey in the knock down type in the typical 9 panel u formation to go with my trimline canopy tent.
as seen here,
http://www.propanels.com/knock-down-panels-booth-design/
I am thinking of 7 foot knock down in dark grey
pros / cons of dark grey?
any thoughts on the knock down vs the full panel? thinking it would be easier to transport knock down , but I am worried about stability. I usually do outdoor shows in the midwest which is always fraught with weather peril.
also are the telescoping legs needed? I primarily set up on concrete but do do the occasional show on grass probably 1 in 7 or 8 shows.
I am a photographer and hang canvases and or framed photographs anywhere from 11x14 to 30 x 45 size.
any thoughts or recommendations on the height of the panels? they come in 6 foot, 7 foot, and 8 foot size.
any advise on the cable vs hanger kits from propanels? or are there better solutions?
are tent hooks necessary? wondering if I need to attach the propanels to the tent frame. I use a flourish trimline canopy tent. having seen propanels blow over before.
any other thoughts / advice / recommendations?
thanks for the help and sorry for all the questions.
chuck nolder
nolder photography
Comments
I started with the break down Propanels and now I am using the 6 footers with the telescoping legs. The break down panels were definitly less stable. The weight of your work would have a bearing on how much they wobble in wind. I use the short cable hangers for 1 framed piece. What I like is that I can leave the hooks set for a certain piece and not have to figure the height at each show. Also, I use the long cable hangers for 2 or more pieces. The problem with these is the lower pieces tend to lean out from the wall. I like the idea of the Harmon Hooks but the velcro behind the hook is too large and would show behind my heavy pieces. As far as tent hooks to attach the panels to the tent, I wouldn't be without them. I feel they add a great deal of stability. Just my thoughts!
I agree with Robert that 7' is the appropriate height. 6' tends to look too short and stubby, especially if you have large artwork. And 8' can get in the way where the sides meet the canopy top, especially if you've had to lower some tent legs to adjust for uneven ground.
If you do get the Pro panels, I would suggest the 7 footers if you have an extended minivan, otherwise go for the knockdown versions. Definitely opt for the telescoping legs as those allow you to compensate for the crowns in a street, and we all know by experience that seldom is a street level from the curb out to ten feet. If anything, it's on an arc from the middle of the street to the curb, and each panel has to be adjusted differently if the panels are to be plumb and level with each other. Of course if you have to jump a curb, it's either 2x4 shims or the telescoping legs.
The seven foot panels get the display area up off the ground where no one looks at anything anyway. The carpeted display area is six feet tall, the difference is in the legs. One option that is a nice look are matching carpet skirts that Velcro to the bottom of the panels and fill in the bottom gap between the panels and the ground.
I too had mesh panels a few years ago and upgraded to Propanels. I do love my Propanels but if I was to do it again I'd pay the extra and get the breakdown type. Then I wouldn't have had to buy a minivan to carry them in. I have the dark grey-which never looks old or dirty-they are pretty near indestructible. They do give the professional look you might be looking for but so many people use the Mesh panels nowadays I don't really think it makes much of a difference to tell the truth. You see them all over the shows. Plus they are a lot easier to deal with. When I had mine I had covers professionally made but I still upgraded. Do I think it made a difference in the end? Well, like Larry says- it's all about the work...but if you want the feel of a small intimate gallery, Propanels certainly work well, it's just they are not so much of a necessity anymore, with other options like mesh available.
I don't think Pro Panels are a make or break factor in getting past the jury. I think a clean display and original strong images are. One thing you can do when shooting your booth image is doubling up on the three sides of your canopy to cut down the back light visible through the mesh walls.
The other factor that causes artists to go with mesh walls is that they've downsized their vehicle to a minivan and Pro Panels no longer fit.
BTW, there is a forum specifically for jury questions and issues:
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/categories/jurying-for-art-fai...
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
I have Propanels and don't have a lot of experience, but so far I really like them. The man I bought the set up from included several Harmon Hooks, which are Velcro-backed hooks for hanging your art. They are really strong and hold quite a lot of weight. You can just pull them off & reposition them if you don't like where they are on your panels. My favorite part is that you can't see anything hanging from the top of the panels; your work is just hanging there without any distractions.
Recently, I wanted some more hooks for my art fairs coming up this fall, so I called him to place an order. It's just a small business, a guy & his wife selling these amazing hooks. Pretty cool.
Here's the link to their website:
http://www.harmonhooks.com/
I just have to say, Connie, that those booths in your post are beautiful! I noticed all the ribbons... guess there's something to be said for originality. :)
Wow, every one of those booth shots were so unique and so professional. Just goes to show you that we all don't have to march to the same drum beat.
I'll let someone else answer those questions for you and I'm sure you'll get answers, but to my mind you are starting out with an incorrect assumption. Having Pro Panels does not indicate that you have a better chance of getting into shows. Please. Do not get them for that reason. Please look at this post I did a couple of years ago with these booth images - you will see few (only one) booths with pro panels and many of the prizewinners had a different look.
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/how-do-you-like-this-...