Let’s Talk About Security Artists Share Tips, Best Practices for During Shows
Security is among the most important considerations for artists who exhibit at shows. Learn how some keep their artwork, money, and point-of-sale (POS) systems safe and secure.
Nancy Barch
Mixed Media
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I use Pro panels and Velcro hooks. If you space the hooks far enough apart, it is difficult to remove any artwork without being noticed. Of course, I close all my panels in the evening and check all four corners before leaving any artwork.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I would recommend to all women not to bring a purse, pocketbook, or any other obvious type of money carrier. I will use a travel pouch around my waist, under my top to carry credit cards and whatever money I may need.
If I use a backpack, I use the type that are inexpensive and secure themselves by pulling a cord. In this way, no one can open it without you being aware of it since pulling apart a cord requires some manipulation that opening a latch does not.
I aways stand away from my tent so I can watch it, and if a customer asks a question about a particular piece, I ask them to come to me instead of entering my tent where my vision is limited. I never leave anything in my tent overnight than what is necessary, like paintings.
I secure my folded chair and table with a bungie or two to my tent legs. It seems to have worked so far. If it's anything that I care about, I take it with me. If it's anything that can't be replaced, I take it with me.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I use a travel pouch around my waist and keep only the minimum (amount) of money and one credit card, driver’s license, ID. I may keep a five- or ten-dollar bill in the front pants pocket.
I wear clothing that is sensible for security reasons, like pants that have pockets. I always have my money and credit card on me. I never carry a pocketbook or purse.
Bruce Franklin
Photography
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I use S hooks to hang aluminum photos on my mesh walls, and it makes it a bit harder to get them off the walls. I have yet to have any fall off in any windstorm.
Most shows are in well-to-do areas anyway, so I personally have run into no issues. Sometimes I will zip tie the bottom four corners of my tent for personal peace of mind. I’m just thinking security is a plus. I've been to shows where artists will go around and ask if the show has security or not.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I always keep a keen eye on my booth all weekend.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
My wallet stays in my front pocket for cash transitions. My Square reader is on my mini desk hidden under my inventory pad. I have an iPad cover for my iPad.
Michael Hughes
3D Ink Pens
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
We show over 500 pens in our display. We use 3 x 8 tables and elevate them, so people do not have to bend over.
We have at least three people working our booth. We interact with each person who visits the booth.
We have extremely bright lights above our booth. When a pen is sold, a white peg is placed in the slot until another pen can go in its place.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
We keep a close eye on people. We ask kids not to handle them. We talk to the customers the entire time — explain the process, what is in some of the pens.
We do not leave one person in the booth unless the crowd is very low. Overnight, we cover our tables with black sheets. We only do indoor shows that have overnight security.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Our cash box is under the table on a crate. Our POS system is kept in a glass case at the end of our booth. We use an iPad for sales. Only one person takes cash or cards.
Sonya Maizell
Jewelry
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
Honestly, my best trick is just having insurance, so if I do experience any theft, I can just put in a claim and move on with my life. Stressing about theft and trying to watch everyone like a hawk is too mentally taxing for me.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I find greeting everyone brightly and personally is highly effective. It gives a welcoming atmosphere but also lets them know I'm aware of their presence and watching them.
My jewelry is not behind cases, but I do make it cumbersome to remove it from their displays in some way, so that it takes a little time to pick them up fully, and they can't just immediately be snatched and dropped into a purse.
All my tables are on risers, which makes my product easier to browse and puts it farther away from purses and more in my line of sight. Overnight, I remove all of my products from the booth and take them with me.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
My POS system is an iPad, which is bolted to a Lazy Susan (so I can spin it around for credit card signatures), which in turn is bolted to a table. So, for someone to steal the iPad, they would have to take the entire table with them, which I would notice.
Overnight, I remove it from its casing and take it out of the booth. I keep my money on my person at all times.
Cody Wheelock
Oil Painting
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
As I do paintings, fortunately that means I don't have many small loose items in the booth. I make sure all pieces are securely fastened to the wall of my booth.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
If I am concerned about potential security issues, I will remove my more expensive pieces from the booth each night and load them into my vehicle. For theft prevention during shows, I make sure to not put any small, loose items near the entrance of the tent where someone could easily grab one and walk off without me noticing.
If I notice a visitor to the booth is taking photos or videos of my work/setup beyond a quick snap with permission, that is usually a red flag. If that happens, I may choose to remove the pieces overnight.
If I leave the booth, I always ask a neighbor to keep an eye on things for me and try to do the same for them. Also, if an artist feels unsure about the security situation, they could call local businesses along/near the show location and ask them what their recommendations are; i.e., would they be comfortable leaving their merchandise in a festival tent overnight in that area, etc.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I use a Square card reader and keep a cash lockbox in the booth. I always keep the cash box out of sight of visitors and remove it from the booth each night.
Brandy Boyd
Metals
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
While at shows, I have work in cases that is higher priced. Other pieces are secured to their displays.
It sometimes causes issues when people want to grab stuff to try on without asking, but it keeps the snatch and run down. Rings are the top stolen item, and I have all but the stacker rings in a case usually.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I pack all my work up at the end of the day. I don't leave any jewelry in my booth overnight.
Unfortunately, people have distraction techniques that enable friends to steal. These are most dangerous when I'm in my booth alone.
I try to ensure my setup allows me to keep an eye on everything — even while I'm checking someone out, but due to some show layouts, that can be a challenge.
I try to limit the amount of people with things out of cases. It may upset some customers, but I'd rather someone be upset than walk away with a $300 piece of jewelry.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I keep cash on me. My POS system is on my phone, so that is always pretty much attached to me as well. The only piece of equipment that stays out is my card reader, with tap and dip options.
Jennifer Domal
Sculpture
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
My work is made from real eggshells and ranges in size from ostrich (about the size of a cantaloupe) down to button quail (about the size of a small fingernail). I use museum wax, which does double duty of keeping artwork secure to the stands and shelves in the event of bumps and clumsy hands, weather, and even people who might think they can pick something up easily.
Since the stands come up with the eggshell, it always makes a noise, which makes other patrons look, so it is difficult to grab something without notice. I learned about museum wax during a museum studies class in university, and it is an inexpensive way to both secure artwork and show people that real art can survive in real homes with a little help.
I pull my work at night into tough bins and zip tie the bins. It won't prevent theft, but it will slow down thieves, as well as prevent breakage.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I am fortunate that my work is not a high target item for theft. It is rare that someone attempts to take an item. When they do, it is rarely successful.
It is my practice to make eye contact, nod, or greet everyone in some way. My chair is in the back of the booth, so that I can see corner to corner.
Even when I am waiting on a patron, I position myself so that I can see people as they enter and leave, greeting them with a brief “hello” or nod and a big smile. Looking people in the face, smiling, and greeting them is your best security measure. Patrons love being seen. Thieves do not.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Money comes with me — if there is any. Most transactions are by card, which is my preference. If someone asks, I tell them I prefer to pay the percentage than carry cash.
I use a Square terminal and log in and log out. I would be disappointed if someone stole my terminal, but I can use my phone, which is always on my person. I have insurance, which would cover the terminal.
Rachel Rittscher
Crystal Suncatchers
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I cover my work with sheets when leaving my booth overnight. That seems to be enough of a deterrent from theft. I always attempt to get an indoor space, as well, to protect against the weather.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I keep my phone on me with my Square, so there is no risk of that being stolen. I always stay between people and my cash box during shows and take it with me overnight.
I cover my work with sheets overnight and that seems to deter against theft. At smaller shows, I leave the sheets off if they’re left in a locked building overnight. I have only had two things stolen and both times, I didn't use the sheets — lesson learned.
I keep an eye on people by engaging with each customer as they enter my booth. I always acknowledge people, even if I'm busy with someone else. Paying attention to people lets them know you are aware of their presence and they’re less likely to try to take something.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I always keep my phone and POS system on me, and I stay between customers and my cash box during the show. I take these things home with me overnight.
Anne Gaines
Printmaking
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I use zip ties to secure the zippers of my tent. I use double hooks on the mesh walls to securely hold the art. I have all my work framed under glass or matted and wrapped in clear bags. I do not leave art within reach from outside of the bottom of the tent (extra stock, boxes, bins, etc.).
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
During the day, I greet everyone who comes into my tent and make eye contact. I keep my cash, point of sale (credit card chip reader), and phone on my person in a zipper pouch.
As far as overnight, I remove all cash, my point of sale, and phone and take them to the hotel with me (I either keep them on my person overnight or lock them in the safe in my hotel room). I only apply to shows that have overnight security on the show site, preferably with the perimeter fenced.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I keep my money and POS system on my person. If I have a large amount of cash (which I rarely do; 90% of my sales are credit), I deposit it in my bank account by ATM in a safe location.
Patricia McCabe
Jewelry
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
All necklaces are hung from boards, making it easy to determine if a necklace is missing. I use display cards to hang the necklaces, so it takes a little effort to take them off the boards, eliminating a grab-and-go scenario. All rings and bracelets are displayed near the checkout.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
With my U-shaped tables, I can keep an eye on most people and make sure to greet everyone. At night, I put easy to steal items in locked tubs and sometimes cover the tables with sheets.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I sewed a money belt with pockets I always wear. I use a security pen to check large bills.
Loran Chavez
Acrylic Paintings
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
There is always someone present in the booth. I've seen too many artists walk away from their space for lengthy periods of time.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
Overnight, we secure the wall zippers by zip tying them to the legs. It may not prevent all theft but may slow them down enough to go another way. Otherwise, they may be so obviously trying to do something that someone will notice.
While in the booth, I am in my chair out front — always trying to watch. My biggest fear is someone's bagged art that we are holding may get picked up by the wrong person — name on bag, their bag by my chair.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
All money and the POS system are always on me. Too much cash? My husband takes it and puts it in his wallet in the front pocket of his jeans.
Keith Wrightson
Fiber
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
Keeping watchful on products and relying on my fellow artist-neighbors during the show. I always refill “holes” in my display after a sale. I know how much product is out on the shelf at any moment.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
For indoor shows, I will leave my product out overnight. I am never in a rush when the event closes for the day. I tend to hang around…making sure the public is out of the building.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Pocket.
Paul Grossman
Lathe Turned Wooden Bowls
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
Most of our items are too big to slip into someone's pocket. My wife also works at the booth with me.
We let people browse but ask if we can help if they are there longer. All the shows we participate in have security, and we show in an area that luckily does not have a large problem with crime.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
Our tent is zipped up at night. Some items are turned over to prevent damage in the event of a severe storm.
We usually are not alone and do watch the people who enter our tent. Our items are not the type of product that is easy to steal, like jewelry. We are also well-known in the area, so often, there is someone there if one of us must leave.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Our cash box and credit card terminal are set up in back of the tent. Most of our sales these days are by credit card, and both my wife and I handle payments. We are fortunate to not have a major problem with theft.
Larry Drake
Jewelry
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
Most theft of jewelry items occurs because it is small and can quickly be removed from the display area without notice. The biggest security trick is to have every item secured to its display in some way.
Pendants on mannequins are pinned to them by the chain, earrings are clipped onto the earring trays, loose and frequently handled pieces are under glass and can be quickly brought out.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
This is a husband-and-wife team, so there is always someone in the booth. All jewelry and anything else of value comes out of the booth — every night.
All of it is secured and under surveillance off-site, wherever that location is for the show's duration. We stay late after the show to take it down and come in early in the morning to set it all up again.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Our display tables are out in front of us with all the jewelry and displays on top of them. We are behind the tables with the extra inventory.
Most sales are now digital, so not much actual cash is kept on hand, which is behind the tables, too. The POS system is across the tables.
Jennifer Livesey
Mixed Media
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I have mesh panels and hook S hooks to both back hangers, as well as using a cable hanger. It’s too easy to pull something off a cable hanger by itself, so the S hooks make it harder.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I take everything valuable with me at night. I take the risk of leaving art. I am solo often, so to watch the work, I stay at the entrance to my tent when it’s busy and hang my smaller pieces toward the back.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Fanny pack — it’s attached to me all day.
Mays Mayhew
Drawing
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
There are two main things I worry about at shows — theft and weather. If I think the show is sketchy or if the show is still going on with live bands, I will take all my artwork down. I make sure the tent is secure with zip ties on the wall zippers.
My work is on wood, which tends to warp if it gets wet. So, I'll also take it down if I think there will be a lot of rain overnight. I put the art in custom plastic bags and then put them in my waterproof crate. I put all the crates in the middle of the tent. If it's bad weather, I'll lower my tent.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I don't apply to shows that I know have a theft problem. If the show doesn't have overnight security or on-site security, I don't apply to that show.
I take my work down at night because it protects it from the weather and thieves. I understand that's not an option for everyone, but I've never lost a piece when it was in the crate.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I wear my money belt and keep it hidden. For my POS system - i.e., Square, I use a password manager with two-point authentication.
Michael Stipek
Photography
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
In booth: Large framed pieces are on walls. Small prints are in bins. For the overnight, the small prints go into a latched box (quite heavy), and all backstock comes in from the back of the booth; they are in dedicated carrying boxes, with no image visible. I do leave the framed pieces on the wall.
Everything is carefully piled in the center of the booth, then tarped with clamps to hold the clamps in place. If I have a corner booth, all framed pieces on the outside wall(s) are put into their dedicated boxes and stored with the other work in the booth overnight.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I teach in a high school, so I am particularly good at keeping an eye on my work (students), even the bin prints. I stand behind my print table, so little gets by me. It also helps me be responsive to any questions or comments from potential customers.
If a customer wants me to hold a print or a framed piece while they shop elsewhere, I have slotted boxes behind my bin table into which I slide the work for safe keeping.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I keep my money in my wallet (what little cash there is any more at shows). My POS system is a Square device that slides into my phone. I keep the device in the phone, which is in a holster attached to my belt.
I also keep an extra device ($10 each) behind my booth in case the original one breaks or otherwise becomes inoperable (it does happen).
Mary Spector
Pen and Ink
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I always have at least one person in the booth and often have two. Originals are secured to the walls. If I lose a print or two, I am not concerned.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
I leave everything in the booth overnight (except financial info, charging stations, etc.). Shows typically have overnight security.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I keep both in a fanny pack in front of me.
Holly Woelber
Wearable Fiber Art
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
I inventory my products several times a day, I am watchful of who is in my booth, and I befriend my neighbors, so we can both watch. I find customers will help you watch for theft.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
It is difficult to watch every person who comes in your booth, while being courteous and helping the customer. I get to know the people across from me, and we watch each other’s booths — a different vantage point and more eyes. I cover my product at night, taking inventory before I cover and when I uncover in the morning.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
I keep change in a small purse that I wear all the time. I use my phone, which I also wear, and keep the plug-in card swipe in a separate pocket of my purse.
MH Jones
Mixed Media
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for keeping your work secure?
All framed work is on walls; it is much harder to watch the card rack, and I think some cards have walked away. I always have a helper but even with two of us, shrinkage happens.
What are your best practices for security during shows, as well as overnight?
Overnight (outdoor shows): Almost all work is put away in bins, boxes, and suitcases, then piled in middle of booth with tarp over it. For small works still hanging, black sheets are draped over the walls, effectively hiding them in the dark.
Indoor shows: A chair is placed in front of the booth. The card rack is pulled behind into the storage area.
How do you keep your money and POS system secure?
Money is in a small cross body purse; my POS system is an iPad, which is under the desk on a shelf.