Transporting Art to Art Events, How Do You Roll?
One thing you learn VERY quickly at your first art show, is that you must have a 'system' in place for ease of transport to and from your events and carrying all the items you need without killing yourself.
by Otis Stanley
by Donna Liguria
by Kelly Haneklau
Questions to ask yourself:
1. What do I need to carry to this art show?
Good question and it pays to be thorough. Consider first and foremost, what ALL you need to carry. Very import are the sizes of your art pieces you wish to display. What you will use to "carry" everything? Be aware of the total weight, ease of use, and how much space you have in your vehicle. Please see Art Show Check List
2. How do you transport unframed art canvases?
Consider shipping supplies - boxes, tape, etc, acid free. What if you do sell the item, how will you package it for the customer as well?
Another suggestion is to use is white cotton gloves when handling any and all of the artwork itself. Especially if you ate Cheetos on the way to the show.
3. How do you transport framed art?
Glass front items, think bubble wrap to protect the frame and glass.
4. How do you transport art prints?
Depending on the size of the prints, an appropriately sized art portfolio(s) would protect these, or sturdy boxes. Also, do you have the appropriate print stands to display your prints? The typical options are table top or standing print stands.
5. Will you be painting AT the event?
You'll
need a portable easel, which usually come with an art supplies drawer area.
You'll need a painting surface: art board, canvas and also consider how
you will transport a still-wet canvas home. Another consideration is at least a hat if not an attachable umbrella to protect yourself from the sun and glare.
6. Can you carry it all in one trip?
What
are some ways to get your artwork, art prints and art merchandise to
your art event quickly and easily without breaking your back OR ruining
the art? How will you get it from your door to car, to the art event AND if it doesn't sell, reverse transport?
I'm sure many artists can relate that some art events are easier to access than others. Although
the Occoquan Arts and Crafts Fair in Occoquan, Virginia is typically an
AWESOME place to set up your tent (literally), the getting to and out of the area is the challenge that comes to mind here.
Whether you are in an art group and sharing a booth and/or tent or you are a solo artist, you will need a way to get EVERYTHING you need to that show from tent and artwork to merchandise displays.
BEWARE the HEAT
Hot Cars: Be careful of leaving artwork in a hot car.
To, from, and during transport protect the artwork to avoid sliding, marking, and ANY damage to your work. Also, be aware that you must protect artwork in a hot car - acrylic paintings or other artwork with a varnish can be damaged in the heat if they are butted face-to-face. Art that sticks to another surface is NOT good. Normally, when packing art in say, your studio, you can package the artwork (of the same size) face-to-face, but add heat to that when transporting, be much more careful. Also, avoid most plastics and non-acid free surfaces, especially in the heat.
BEWARE the BOUNCE
Even in the car or a cart, ensure your artwork, merchandise and displays aren't bouncing, shifting or sliding around without some support or packing material around it.
BEWARE the RAIN
Well that sucks, it started raining. Keep an ear to the weather reports and be prepared for the 'just-in-cases'. As you well know, water and most artwork don't mix. Wind is also another terror. A tarp, plastic trash bags - something must be ready, sometimes in a hurry, to keep the water off. Or bungee cords to anchor and/or strap anything down prone to fly-away.
Some Purchased Ways to Transport Art
Consider the size of the artwork you need to transport before you purchase, as well as the weight of everything you'll need to carry. The big questions are: can you do it in one trip and will you have some muscle (help)?
- Collapsible Art Carts (wheels)
- Collapsible Art Wagons, Utility Carts (wheels)
- Portfolios
- Milk Crates
Some Creative Ideas for the Transport of Art
I'd love to see other people's suggestions for how they effectively move their art without breaking the bank too! Here are a few things I've come across when watching fellow art group members:
- Used Amazon bubble envelopes for smaller works
- Craft felt, cut and sewn into various sized "pillow cases"
- Sturdy boxes (even Amazon boxes), assorted sizes to fit items
- Blankets, towels, pillow cases
- Luggage with wheels
- Various totes, backpack, shoulder straps are beneficial
Art Event Must Haves
A great idea at an art event is to have what I call a "Go Kit". In the Go Kit are essential items you wish you had remembered to bring. Please be sure and see Art Shows Check List for what to include in a Go Kit.
Then the Art Show Ends...
We wish we could have sold it all so that there is less to pack back up!
Very typically, after a long day at an art show, everyone is ready to just go home. Amazing how fast it will come down as opposed to how long it took to set up sometimes. It is a good idea at this point to have a great way to quickly, yet safely, repack your unsold items. Again, you do not want items to rub against each other or shift while transporting.
I have watched in horror -gasp- and seen artists just stack their artwork up and shove it in a bag! Yikes!
Anyway, I would LOVE to hear your tips, suggestions, ideas or stories about transporting your stuff to the show too!
Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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