A Few Thoughts About Art Fair Tents
It may seem odd that since I’m surrounded by mountains of snow to start talking about art fair tents but the season is fast approaching (as evidenced by the myriad of applications going out.) So here’s a brief post discussing the two main types of tent used for fair and festivals and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
But first I want to say that you should get only a white tent. It allows in the most light and shows your work to it’s best advantage. Colored tent cast a glow onto the work and at dusk turn your booth into a cave. Many an artists says “Yeah, but my purple (red, blue, black) tent stands out. People can spot in a sea of white tents. If you want to be noticed. Hang flags, create color full banners don’t go with a colored tent.
Most art fair canopies come in two main types.
1. EZ-Up type (pointy top) Other brands are KD Canopy, First Up and Caravan.
2. Craft Hut type (Dome or Hoop top.) Trimline and Lightdome
I am going to use the brand name of the big dogs of each type to identify the style of tent I’m talking about. (It seemed easier than #1 or #2)
EZ Up is the most common of it’s type because of availability and cost.
These tents tend to be:
* very light weight
* not all that sturdy
* and in a heavy downpour they not water proof. (You can buy a water proof spray coat and take care of that yourself.)
On the other hand they are
* lightweight this is both a plus and a drawback.
* quick to set up, though still much easier with two people despite what the box says
* cheap if they do get trashed they are easy and cheap to replace. it is available at Sam’s Club for around $200.
The Craft Hut
* Very sturdy and water proof
* More difficult and time consuming to assemble
* Cost between $800-1500 depending on brand, model and features. If they get damaged your replacement parts cost will be high as would be buying a whole new tent.
I have said previously EZ-Up tents work just fine if you know how to use them. But since their main market is for newbies they often end in disaster. Many artists think that these type of tents are the mark of a non professional. But I also know allot of artists (myself included) who have been doing event forever. Many have had the more expensive then reverted back to the cheap and easy because replacement costs were much easier to deal with. I also know several artists who use the Craft Hut type for multi day show and EZ Ups for one day shows.
So I guess my point is they both serve the same function just differently and if you have the knowledge how to use them to their advantage either tent will work exceptionally well.
Upcoming Posts:
Additional art fairs post covering weighting and staking your tents as well as items that you should pack when doing events.
Also a new Ask The Budda
Tags: artfairs
Mona, such a timely post! although I am not an artist, I am hoping to have a booth at the farmers market this summer and have been looking at these for sun protection! My husband has told me he will build me something, but I am hesitant about it as I will have to put it up myself.
thank you for sharing your experience!!
My first tent and display were both hand build. While functional they were a lot of work. Of course your hubby may be more skilled than those who built my stuff.