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.
Questions to ask yourself:
1. What do I need to carry to this art show?
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?
4. How do you transport art prints?
5. Will you be painting AT the event?
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
- 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
Then the Art Show Ends...
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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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
I have a lot of bigger pieces and invested in those blankets that furniture movers use. For smaller pieces, I use canvas bags.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying those canvas bags with the handles? Also, do you carry in the larger pieces by hand?
Delete