Preparing for Magic City Art Connection

Are you curious about what goes into preparations for an outdoor art festival? Perhaps it seems like a big day or two of fun, festivities, and entertainment. The reality is that, although events like this are ultimately a lot of fun, putting your exhibit together is hard work.

If you, like me, haven’t done enough of these events to raise the booth with your closed, a practice session is a good idea. First, you must wrestle the frame into its upright position, and this is quite a job. It is also best to have extra protection in case of precipitation, so I have my trusty rain flaps ready to go. Last year, I learned the hard way just how important these things are. Next comes installing the panels, which is challenging as you try to get them to hang smoothly.

Exhibitors’ booths must also have, and with good reason, weighted legs so the wind doesn’t come along and carry off your exhibit. Somehow, I have to make this look appealing.

Well, this just isn’t attractive at all.

Once all of the tent raising is complete, arranging the art comes next. You just have to jump in and install the first piece.

The first piece is up!

Working on the arrangement of your pieces is time-consuming, but it's also the most fun. I take photos of the setup as a guide for when it comes time to hang the booth. I often deviate from my original plan by the time of the actual show, but I still like to have something to help get me started. You can feel like a deer in headlights when under the gun on the day of the show.

So far so good…

While one painting isn’t even finished, and the canvas for another piece I have planned remains in its cellophane wrapper, having gone through the process, I feel confident about my display.

20 days and counting!