Art Festival Booth Set-Up

9-panel "Propanels" display

I'm frequently asked by my artist friends about setting up at indoor and outdoor art festivals, and with the Mission Federal ArtWalk 2011 just around the corner this April, I figured I would pass along a little info.

Over the past seven years, when showing at art festivals like ArtWalk, I've relied on various methods to display my work. Most included metal straps (used like gallery rods) that were easy to store, transport, and install. Last year I decided to take the plunge and purchase one half of a "professional" display. After much investigation and price comparison, I found that Propanels was the most to my liking. With six panels, I was able to set up a nice side and back wall display at last years Artwalk. (you can see that if you scroll down the right side of the screen to "Artwalk Featured Artist 2010")

The recent purchase of an additional three panels allows for a full booth display. The photo above shows my full booth display at the San Diego Holiday Arts Festival this past November. That white gap in the back wall is actually where I've brought the far left back panel forward to create a storage/wrapping station behind the panel. I can tell you that set up is easy, since the panels are light weight and stack flat for transport. Heavy paintings are easily hung from rod hangers attached to the tops of the panels, and smaller pieces are easy to hang from drapery hooks secured on the panels. They may seem a bit pricey, but well worth the investment if you are showing on the road. I've included a link to their site here. Feel free to drop me an email if I can answer any other questions.