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hanging system. Now trying to decide whether I should buy the mesh panels from Flourish ( looks light weight and easy!!!!

Posted by Tracy Haines on May 26, 2010 at 4:54pm

Hi, just joined this blog; hope I'm posting this in right place. I just bought a Caravan tent. Now trying to decide whether I should buy the mesh panels from Flourish ( looks light weight and easy!!!!) vs. the Pro panels, which look more professional but are twice the cost. Those with experience, does it seem to make much difference in sales?  Will I regret the mesh?

thanks for any advice out there, fellow artists!

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  • Tracy Haines May 27, 2010 at 6:18pm
    A very kind painter friend ( most artists are wonderful, aren't they?!) offered to loan me his pro panels for this show- think I'll take him up on it and buy more time to decide!!!!
    Thanks again for all the suggestions.

    Tracy Haines said:
    ?
    Dawn Waters Baker said:
    I am an oil painter and have a Trimline with Propanels. Yes, they were more expensive but when I started doing shows I had 4 panels. I just kept adding one until I had 9. Whenever I made more $ I would add one more. I have found that the mesh panels have a couple of drawbacks. 1st, they cause the work to be crooked for the entire show because they are airy. For me, the shows are all about presentation and the panels set the work off sharply. Also, with mesh panels, you are stuck conforming your booth to a "U" shape so that you can tie them down to the stability bars. With the Propanels you can arrange your booth in as many styles as you can think of (and believe me I see a new one every show and think,"wow! I'm going to have to try that"). I am a 5'4" woman and weigh around 120 pds. I can put my Propanels up myself. I do it one at a time. You don't have to use "s" or curtain hooks there are these wonderful velcro attachments you can use to hang your work to the panels. All that said, YOU have to decide what is best for you. I know it's hard when you have so many expenses.
  • Tracy Haines May 27, 2010 at 2:16pm
    Thanks for all the feedback. Boy this is a tough decision and I have a show in 2 weeks. yikes. So far, I only do one big outdoor show a year but will prob start doing more. Do you need light fixtures with the pro panels? Still leaning toward the mesh- but don't like hearing my art will lean! And Flourish didn't mention to me about the stabars. Extra cost? Thanks again for tips and feedback.
  • Tracy Haines May 27, 2010 at 2:09pm
    ?
    Dawn Waters Baker said:
    I am an oil painter and have a Trimline with Propanels. Yes, they were more expensive but when I started doing shows I had 4 panels. I just kept adding one until I had 9. Whenever I made more $ I would add one more. I have found that the mesh panels have a couple of drawbacks. 1st, they cause the work to be crooked for the entire show because they are airy. For me, the shows are all about presentation and the panels set the work off sharply. Also, with mesh panels, you are stuck conforming your booth to a "U" shape so that you can tie them down to the stability bars. With the Propanels you can arrange your booth in as many styles as you can think of (and believe me I see a new one every show and think,"wow! I'm going to have to try that"). I am a 5'4" woman and weigh around 120 pds. I can put my Propanels up myself. I do it one at a time. You don't have to use "s" or curtain hooks there are these wonderful velcro attachments you can use to hang your work to the panels. All that said, YOU have to decide what is best for you. I know it's hard when you have so many expenses.
  • Dawn Waters Baker May 27, 2010 at 1:12pm
    I am an oil painter and have a Trimline with Propanels. Yes, they were more expensive but when I started doing shows I had 4 panels. I just kept adding one until I had 9. Whenever I made more $ I would add one more. I have found that the mesh panels have a couple of drawbacks. 1st, they cause the work to be crooked for the entire show because they are airy. For me, the shows are all about presentation and the panels set the work off sharply. Also, with mesh panels, you are stuck conforming your booth to a "U" shape so that you can tie them down to the stability bars. With the Propanels you can arrange your booth in as many styles as you can think of (and believe me I see a new one every show and think,"wow! I'm going to have to try that"). I am a 5'4" woman and weigh around 120 pds. I can put my Propanels up myself. I do it one at a time. You don't have to use "s" or curtain hooks there are these wonderful velcro attachments you can use to hang your work to the panels. All that said, YOU have to decide what is best for you. I know it's hard when you have so many expenses.
  • stephanie swift May 27, 2010 at 11:25am
    I have been doing shows for about 3 years. I have the mesh panels and even though it does shake a bit with the wind, I have never had any issue with art falling off, even the heavy pieces. I have used the fabric covers and they look good and hanging the art with them is no problem. I actually made mine. They are lighter and easier to transport than the propanels. When I started I had a really small car. I have added some gridwalls to my display. Because of cost I have been upgrading my display slowly. As far as the mesh being dirty - that does happen, I had bought my used and they were a bit grubby, but with the covers, they look fine and professional. Also, with using a caravan tent, when you get the mesh, you'll need the lower stabars, which makes your tent heavier and more stable, which is important.

    I think it a boils down to how much you are willing to spend off the bat and how you transport your work. And how you want your display to look and how much flexibility you want in your display.


    Diane Wright said:
    I don't do 2D art so I am unfamiliar with the hanging aspect. I know from being in fellow artist's booths in the summer - the propanels trap the heat and the mesh panels are more airy. I would like to get the mesh panels for that reason but I am a jeweler and don't have to hang anything except may be a banner. I know there was a discussion earlier on here and an artist said they were unhappy with the mesh for hanging their paintings. You might try searching for that thread.
  • Geoff Coe May 26, 2010 at 7:50pm
    Good thread. To add yet another layer of complexity ;-), Flourish also sells fabric covers for the mesh walls in a range of colors (free samples are available on request). You attach the fabric to the corners of the mesh panels with Velcro fasteners placed in the corners of both fabric and mesh panel).

    The main downside I've seen with the mesh panels is that (as was noted) it's a bit of a pain to hang 2D art (you can use curtain hooks or S-hooks). I've had only one occurrence where art fell off the wall, and I've been in some VERY windy shows. But they do sway quite a bit! They also tend to get dirty, particularly if you do shows on grassy/sandy areas.

    I have a free sample kit that Flourish sent me, but haven't ordered the fabric yet (it's expensive, in the $400 range). I don't know to what extent it makes the booth hotter. Flourish told me that the fabric extends all the way down to the ground, which covers the horizontal tent bars, hides all the junk we store behind the tent, ;-), and makes for a nicer presentation.
  • Dave Hinde May 26, 2010 at 7:14pm
    I use gridwall which is heavy, but airy and it doesn't move! I noticed a tent with mesh walls at a recent windy show, and the wind was really shaking the walls and her pictures. It may depend on your area, and whether wind is a problem at a lot of shows. It is here along the coast. Many shows like to be close to the water, which makes them a little windy.
  • Tracy Haines May 26, 2010 at 6:48pm
    ok-thanks!

    Diane Wright said:
    I don't do 2D art so I am unfamiliar with the hanging aspect. I know from being in fellow artist's booths in the summer - the propanels trap the heat and the mesh panels are more airy. I would like to get the mesh panels for that reason but I am a jeweler and don't have to hang anything except may be a banner. I know there was a discussion earlier on here and an artist said they were unhappy with the mesh for hanging their paintings. You might try searching for that thread.
  • Diane Wright May 26, 2010 at 5:47pm
    I don't do 2D art so I am unfamiliar with the hanging aspect. I know from being in fellow artist's booths in the summer - the propanels trap the heat and the mesh panels are more airy. I would like to get the mesh panels for that reason but I am a jeweler and don't have to hang anything except may be a banner. I know there was a discussion earlier on here and an artist said they were unhappy with the mesh for hanging their paintings. You might try searching for that thread.
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