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 for your artwork to and from your art shows and events and carrying all the items you need without killing yourself. There can be quite a bit of distance between where your vehicle is parked to where the actual setup of the artwork is.
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, how will you carry it, and how far - from car to setup space. Very important are the sizes of your art pieces you wish to display and the amount of inventory.
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, as well as area to actually hang your artwork. Please see Art Show Check List
2. How do you transport unframed art canvases?
Consider shipping supplies - boxes, tape, etc, and acid free supplies and wrapping materials. What if you do sell the item, how will you package it for the customer?
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.
I've used pillow cases, small blankets or towels, and purchased sheets of felt and sewn them like a large pillow case to protect the art.
An idea that came from a fellow Prince William Art Society member, Nicole Fisher, is this idea on Instagram for double reflective insulation. This idea really looked good too.
Here's a YouTube video on the making of the bag if you can't get to Instagram:
Making bubble bags to transport your artwork in!
3. How do you transport framed art?
Glass front items, think bubble wrap to protect the frame and glass.
When using bubble wrap with a canvas - put a layer of acid free paper between the artwork and the bubble wrap and ALWAYS put the bubbles AWAY from the artwork to avoid imprinting those little circles on the art.
When I ordered floating frames for some of my artwork, I kept the boxes they came in and once the artwork was installed, I simply put a sheet of archival paper between the front of the artwork and the cardboard.
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. I have used those sturdy plastic grocery bags and have cut layers of card board as liners for the bottom and front and back.
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.
And something to sit on is not only important for painting at the event, but most locations and shows do not provide anything to sit on at all or only provide 1-2 chairs.
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)? Think WHEELS, baby.
- Collapsible Art Carts (wheels)
- Collapsible Art Wagons, Utility Carts (wheels) - these are lifesavers!!
- 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 understandably 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. At a minimum, put something between them and be careful about stacking various sized canvases so you don't further stretch the canvases!
I have actually watched in horror -gasp- and seen artists just stack their artwork up and shove it in a bag and toss it in their car! Yikes! Nothing but a cloud of dust as their car departs the parking lot on two wheels and their portrait of "The Scream" looking out the back window.
Anyway, I would LOVE to hear your tips, suggestions, ideas or stories about transporting your stuff to the show too! Drop a comment below!
A good read: https://fineartviews.com/blog/20870/art-display-systems-for-art-festivals
This post was originally posted on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog on January 20, 2022
Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and Donna's Cave Paintings Blog, and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, Virginia. And she takes on the PWAS social media duties as well (help me!) Donna specializes in acrylic painting of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.
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