Will the ezup tent hold large picture s framed?

Replies

Jim Parker August 31, 2011 at 6:32pm

An EZ-UP isn't really designed to handle load from the middle. The legs can handle weights, but the center structure isn't straight across when the canopy is erected. The suggestion to run conduit from leg to leg is a good one, and similar to the way mesh walls are installed. Attaching the conduit may be an issue -- some ingenuity may be required. And without panels of some sort, it's gonna look fairly cheesy, and will limit you to how you hang the work. If you go for a gallery look (large pieces in a single horizontal row) you may be able to make it work. Hanging multiple pieces in a vertical line will be challenging.

You cannot hang work from the canopy's walls themselves, only from the tent's support structure. That's what Larry was saying. The art support system ideally should be independent from the canopy system, but the two should be tied together for maximum weight and security.

You might want to look at the Flourish mesh wall system for EZ-UP, which incorporates a horizontal tubular bar and clamp system, with strong breathable mesh to support the work. Or use grid wall, which is usually available at local display houses, and works well with EZ-UPs to help weight the entire structure. I'm assuming you don't want to invest on ProPanels or Armstrong walls.

Side note: When I first started, I went directly to a Trimline canopy with ProPanels. It costs upwards of $2000 to do this, but your work is secure. And the resale on a Trimline and panels is relatively good. Resale on an EZ-UP is nil.
- Larry Berman > Jim Parker August 31, 2011 at 6:43pm
  
  Jim brings up another issue. Though it seems to be the case, this isn't a business you can get into without an investment. The "cheesy" looking display (as Jim puts it) is going to prevent you from getting into the shows where artist have good to great sales.
  
  Larry Berman
  http://BermanGraphics.com
  412-401-8100
  - Jim Parker > Larry Berman August 31, 2011 at 6:49pm
    
    Cheesy is one of my favorite descriptive adjectives. All-purpose.
    - randall branham > Jim Parker August 31, 2011 at 8:35pm
      
      thanks guys for the response.
      
      I agree it needs to look professional and not cheesy , although cheese is one of my favorite foods..I have already turned down the 2'' square wire panels , number one because of looks and number two it's to difficult to transport, One of the problems I'm looking to prevent.
      
      At this point I have no interest in entering the big shows like Hyde Park here in Cincy or Riverfront in Columbus, at this stage in my life I'm just looking to hit a few shows and go about it to have a second stream of income and have some fun. I am capable of making my own carpeted panels and my have to go that way, or as you suggest the mesh system.
      
      ,I appreciate your thoughts and time and will give her the old college try.and see what happens.
      
      thanks Randall
      
      www.branhamphoto.com
      - Kimberly Merck- Moore > randall branham September 1, 2011 at 10:07am
        
        I actually started out with a steel pipes. I bought them at home depot, and had the ends threaded, which they did for free at the store, I used plumbing elbows at the corners to screw them together. I then built a frame that I zip tied to my ezup, including a bottom rung. I strung thin chain from top to bottom and used curtain hooks to hang my work on that. Unfortunately, we had strong wind, and even though I strung the chain tightly, my pictures swung in the wind a bit. At my next show, I ziptied cattle panels ( a large sheet is $17) to the frame to make a continuous wall of grid. It looked decent, but took me about an hour to set up. I am actually glad I had that at my last show, because we had up to fifty mile per hour winds, and other people's art went flying, but my tent was weighed down with all that steel! But, weighed down is an understatement, those methods were a pain in the butt to try to make them look professional, and in the end, they only go so far, and I don't think they will get you into the upper end shows. If you are just starting out, hey, I think it is good not to invest too much if you are testing the water, and these methods work. I am finally getting a pair of used propanels this weekend, and I can't wait!
        
        randall branham > Kimberly Merck- Moore September 1, 2011 at 12:05pm
        
        Nice to see someone with a little ingenuity .
        
        Thanks randall
Gary Haynes August 31, 2011 at 5:45pm

I think the question is can you hang the photos from the EZup frame, specifically if you don't have panels. I have seen folks that di hang from the frame. Would depend on size etc. ANother option might be to attach a piece of copper /steel tubing to the bottom edge of the frame and hang from there.
- randall branham > Gary Haynes August 31, 2011 at 6:27pm
  
  I guess I didn't explain myself . I want to hang my photos from the wall frame work tubing at the top of the side walls like on the "Showoff" or "Lightdome" etc and not from independent walls one has to buy , as an extra. . My wife suggested why not buy the EZup it's a lot less money than the Showoff Trimline etc. and my answer to her was I'm not sure it would allow hanging my pics from the tubing at the top of each wall.
  
  I don't want to have to buy the wall panels ,or the mesh panel system I'm just not sure the EZuP sissors frame work would be strong enough to support 6 pieces of art on each wall. Of course you can read between the lines and quickly figure out it's all about money , and getting started in a bad economy on a shoe string.
  
  Thanks Larry and Gary
  
  Randall
  - Larry Berman > randall branham August 31, 2011 at 6:38pm
    
    The next question is how professional the display will look.
    
    Do a search for vented Soffit which is used for gutters. I saw an artist use pairs of it this past weekend to hang her larger framed work from her canopy frame. Lowes carries it.
    
    Larry Berman
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
    - Jim Parker > Larry Berman August 31, 2011 at 6:51pm
      
      This is an interesting idea.
      
      Chicken wire will work too.
      
      <just kidding>
      
      No really, it will.
      
      <cheese factor again>

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