I've been invited--somewhat relentlessly, but I guess that's a good thing! ;-) --to participate in several indoor art shows here in Florida.
I don't think it will be cost-effective to make a significant investment in equipping myself to do indoor shows, but I'm willing to look.
With that said: What is typically provided by the promoters of such shows? Are you expected to provide your own lighting, drapes, and signage? Also wondering about the "hanging system" that's required. I'm a photographer, and for my outdoor shows I use a Trimline and mesh panels (no ProPanels or similar product).
Thanks for any suggestions you can provide!
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I like seeing what other parts of the country are like as far as shows. I would have never guessed indoor shows in Florida aren't that good. Up here we're indoors from the week after Columbus Day until Memorial Day. Simply because it can snow anytime between those dates. We did a show on Columbus Day where we woke up to 3 inches of snow and it was an outside show. It never got out of the 30s all day. And we all go back every year. That one year is mentioned and we all get a good laugh.
Mention is made as to what you get at indoor shows. All we get are two chalk marks on the floor and a plug. It's up to us to have our own 3 sided display. One promoter measures the spaces with a tape measure. And you get exactly 120 inches. So if you have a canopy, you have to get there early because sometimes canopies "stretch". It's a rare show where I use my canopy since I have a display that's adaptable to the fact someone might be 1" over the line. It ain't worth raising a stink about it. I'm way past that stage.
In summer we love indoor shows. Both the exhibitors as well as the customers. It's called air conditioning.
Geoff. In my experience of doing art shows nationwide and in Florida for more than 34 years, I can tell you that very few indoor shows work for anybody in Fla. You do photos like me. Do you do wildlife? You might have an outside chance of making money. Most promoters provide you the space and little more. You have to do panels, lighting, etc. Get back to me and tell me the shows you are planning. Also what kind of imagery do you do? I have made a real living at shows for all this time. I know a lot. Check out my photos on my site. Get back to me. I live in Ybor City, 7 months, and Saugatuck,Mi. the rest--Aloha, Nels Johnson
If you are given a 10x10 space you are ready to go with your trimline setup as Larry said. Indoor shows can be nice because there is protection from the environment. Just really work with the promoter and convince them that your 10x10 setup is the easiest, most cost effective and best way to show off your work. Then if all else fails, look into borrowing or renting propanels, building walls using hollowed out doors or masonite/particle boards, etc or making a bunch of easels to hold your work.
Most of the shows I have done are outside shows in my canopy. The only indoor shows that I have done are fairly low scale and they give you 1 table and 2 chairs. That is your space so you can't really do much except on top of your table. They put as many tables as can possibly fit into the venue so you don't even have space on the sides. In that situation, there is not much you can do.
I have attended other indoor shows - and will be exhibiting in a few around Christmas - that rent you a 10x10 space. Some vendors go all out with walls, carpeting, fixtures that look very heavy and substantial - like what you would see in a store, while others just cover their tables and set up their products - and then everything in between. I guess some of it depends on how upscale the show is. I went to the indoor show last year that I'm participating in this year to get an idea of what I needed to do. I'm thinking about gridwalls and the tables to delineate my space. Good luck to you.
I've also noticed at indoor shows that things can be a bit tighter so if your used to having a print rack or display rack outside of your booth area I would just advise you don't do that in the indoor one. It can block your neighbor or cause some accidents. Also, whatever they provide is usually very banged up and highly used (which a few cloths can cover etc) but if you have a better table or display than use your stuff.
Lighting is so important because it will really make your work stand out.
Hope it's fun and profitable for you. Nice to get a break from the heat.
I've done a few indoor shows around Virginia and North Carolina, and they've all been pretty much the same. They provided one table free and you could pay for more, or bring your own. One show I did in Currituck, N.C., provided A-frame racks. I asked about the size and they said about 6 ft. high by 6 or 8 ft long. I thought that was pretty good, until I got there. They were big enough, but only had about 3 ft. of chicken wire, covered in burlap, on the frames. I didn't know until I got there, that I could have brought my own racks. I'll know next year.
One thing I did learn about half way through my second indoor show is that you have to think differently when you are setting up. I was used to arranging my display in a 10 x 10 tent, and making it inviting looking for people to step in. People are used to stepping into tents to look around at outdoor shows. At indoor shows they walk up and down the aisles, and your space needs to be more open and inviting.
For your mesh panels, I think Flourish.com makes an indoor system to support them. I use Gridwall sections and hooks, so they work both indoors and outdoors.
If all you have is mesh panels, you need to ask the director if you can fit the frame of your 10x10 canopy in the booth space to support the mesh panels. Then set up as you normally would but without the roof and walls.
Replies
Mention is made as to what you get at indoor shows. All we get are two chalk marks on the floor and a plug. It's up to us to have our own 3 sided display. One promoter measures the spaces with a tape measure. And you get exactly 120 inches. So if you have a canopy, you have to get there early because sometimes canopies "stretch". It's a rare show where I use my canopy since I have a display that's adaptable to the fact someone might be 1" over the line. It ain't worth raising a stink about it. I'm way past that stage.
In summer we love indoor shows. Both the exhibitors as well as the customers. It's called air conditioning.
I have attended other indoor shows - and will be exhibiting in a few around Christmas - that rent you a 10x10 space. Some vendors go all out with walls, carpeting, fixtures that look very heavy and substantial - like what you would see in a store, while others just cover their tables and set up their products - and then everything in between. I guess some of it depends on how upscale the show is. I went to the indoor show last year that I'm participating in this year to get an idea of what I needed to do. I'm thinking about gridwalls and the tables to delineate my space. Good luck to you.
Diane
Lighting is so important because it will really make your work stand out.
Hope it's fun and profitable for you. Nice to get a break from the heat.
One thing I did learn about half way through my second indoor show is that you have to think differently when you are setting up. I was used to arranging my display in a 10 x 10 tent, and making it inviting looking for people to step in. People are used to stepping into tents to look around at outdoor shows. At indoor shows they walk up and down the aisles, and your space needs to be more open and inviting.
For your mesh panels, I think Flourish.com makes an indoor system to support them. I use Gridwall sections and hooks, so they work both indoors and outdoors.
Larry Berman
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