Let’s Talk About Booth Designs Artists Share Display Tricks and Advice
Attracting people to a booth takes a lot of effort. And getting them to stop and walk inside involves even more. Discover how some artists do this.
Betsy Zuhlke
Mixed Media
How long have you been doing shows?
Two years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
We use an Undercover white tent that goes up easy and has cables inside the ceiling of the tent and sides that pull back into curtains and cover the tent legs. If we are inside, we use six LED lights to brighten the tent. We add curtain panels and a coordinating area rug on the ground. We display our items for easy flow through the tent. We have our signage in two locations. For a checkout stand, we found a foldable bar and modified it to hold our bags, wrap, point of sale (POS), etc.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
Our particular items are totem sculptures. We elevate them on wooden crates and have silk plants amongst them for a natural outdoor look.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
People say our booth looks professional and eye-appealing. Our items are well-featured and draw you in.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
Having a professional-looking booth elevates your products if done right. Do not clutter. Have tables so you can enter the tent.
Thom Schoeller
Photography
How long have you been doing shows?
Six years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
A 10 x 10 square — X6 Velocity pop-up by Extreme Canopy. I use light gray ProPanels for my exterior walls and also am now using ProPanel print bins in the matching colors. I have a wider front entrance opening, and for one of my side walls, I leave a single doorway width opening to allow for a nice flow. This attracts attendees to enter and exit from either opening. I’ve dedicated a double panel width (38.5-inch x 2 panels) area using ProPanels (as ends) on each side to place 44-inch and 30-inch wide print bins — with enough space above the bins for up to a 7-foot wide print. I then have a third 38.5-inch wide print bin under the front awning for additional work. On the reverse side of this wall (outside facing), I can hang (2) wide format (2:1 aspect ratio) artworks one over the other up to 7 feet each, and I utilize the panels on both ends inside and out for vertical prints as large as 48 inches by 24 inches.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
I create attractive signage under each print that displays the sizes and media styles it is available in. I also prefer to leave some breathing room between each piece, as it is far less distracting than over populating the walls with artworks. To make set up time quicker, I also had my logo added to the front valance of my canopy topper, so I did not have to bungee or tie off a banner separately. The banners always seem to sag, and the printed valance looks so elegant.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
The best advice was to display the LARGEST pieces possible on the walls/panels. Based on their years of experience, the art fair clientele is far less likely to spend $400 on a small 24 x 16 ChromaLuxe metal print and more likely to invest over $1,500 for pieces 48 inches and up. Also, it was recommended that I mount and mat all of my bin work (bin prints) and the smallest pieces should start at 24 x 18 exterior dimensions.
Robert Burks
Wood
How long have you been doing shows?
Two years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
The booth design is in a U shape in my tent. I have products displayed on tables in the U shape, with sides in the tent made of metal partitions where I can hang signs and plaques behind the tables. Two of the partitions are at the end of the front tables to make a display area at either side of the entrance to my tent — again where I can hang my signs. Some of the signs are funny sayings designed to get people to stop and read the signs that draw their attention to the inside of my display tent. I also make pipe lamps that I have turned on, so the lighted bulbs attract the attention of customers. If I don’t have another crafter next to me, I can display my signs on the side of my tent on the partitions, so they can be seen as people are approaching my tent. I have a large sign with my business name — Wood Creations by Dr. Bob — over the front of my tent that some people say has attracted their attention.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
I try to have an assortment of items to display. Since I have only been selling for two years, I am still trying out new items to see what sells and what does not sell. I have a number of serving boards that I display on stands so that I can display a number of them rather than laying them down on the tables I use.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
At first, I did not have my pipe lamps lit due to no electric connections. Another crafter told me about using LED bulbs in the lamps and then using a battery source for power. I can now display the lamps turned on for the entire day, which has increased my sales of the lamps. I then charge the battery that night and use it the next day.
Amy Weh
Mixed-Media Mosaics
How long have you been doing shows?
Thirty years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
U-shape design with back left opening.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
My work can be very large, so I use support bars above and almost always have track lighting for illuminating my art. I am always looking at other booth layouts and flow of traffic.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
Make your booth as open as possible to invite all people inside.
Willie Morris
Graphite Pencil and Watercolor
How long have you been doing shows?
Since 2017.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
I have a 10 x 10 booth design. My panels are gray, which allows for artwork to stand out — showing off the framing. Also what’s attractive is fewer pieces that are larger and the featured artwork on the front center wall that pulls them into the space.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
When displaying framed graphite pencil artworks, they must be framed in glass with a three mat combination. I use black on top with a quarter inch of white in the middle and another quarter inch of black on the bottom against the artwork. It makes any piece stand out.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
The best advice is to keep it clean and simple for viewing. Make sure the prices are big enough to be easily read.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box about what works that you think will attract your customers. The art that I least thought would sell was the one that I sold the most.
S. Brian Berkun
Photography
How long have you been doing shows?
Forty-plus years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
A 10 x 10 standard square booth (Light Dome) with ProPanels setup with a “French door” on the other side allows open access in one corner of the back. Photos are hung on all inside panels. When there is a quad setup at a show, I set up the front corner with a T wall — thus giving me one extra panel to display my work. This allows attendees to walk through the tent and not get bottled up inside, and I can hang out on the outside back corner and not be in the way. I also use two to three hanging print bins.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
I try to display my art as an additional composition — in other words, the visuals of the art face inward, creating a leading line in order to focus and retain attention inside the tent rather than leading out. I have an eye catcher near the back to draw attention into the tent.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
Use color!
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
The hardest part of displaying the art has nothing to do with the art itself but rather where to put yourself. Hanging out in front with a big chair tends to obscure the entry to the tent, and you feel like a gargoyle at the entrance. Being in back or out the back door means you can’t interact as readily with the attendees. There never seems to be an easy solution to that one!
Joe Channey
Wood
How long have you been doing shows?
Twenty-five years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
I like a 10 x 10 corner booth with three upright shelves, a zig zag shelf, and two or three tables.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
The most important thing I have found is you need to light up your work. There is never enough light to show off your creations. I use a battery with an inverter and LED lights mounted on the shelves to light up my work and make my patrons want to handle my art.
Jason Wallace
Photography
How long have you been doing shows?
Sixteen years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
My booth is open across the front, with a side opened for visitors to pass through.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
When offering photography, I find it helpful to have at least one large piece, which serves as a centerpiece. Use neighboring walls as methods to display work that goes together.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
Don’t overcrowd your booth — too much at once can overwhelm visitors.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
At a show last summer, I visited with a fellow photographer who had FOUR photos in their booth. The booth was 20-feet wide, 10-feet tall, and each photo was a diptych or triptych at 8-feet tall. The work was great on its own, yet the display left me stunned and impressed!
JoAnn VanDeCarr
Wood
How long have you been doing shows?
Forty-five years.
Do you have any comments on this topic?
Before opening, a friend asked me to critique her new pottery booth. Neutrals, multi-level, with a very bright name banner below the front table. I snagged three people and asked them to walk in front of the booth. Two remembered ONLY the sign, and NO ONE could tell what she sold!
Dawn Lombard
Jewelry
How long have you been doing shows?
Twenty years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
I maximize every inch of display space by showcasing my work both vertically and horizontally. This approach ensures a dynamic and eye-catching presentation.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
Displaying items at eye level is essential. Shoppers find it much more comfortable and engaging to view pieces directly in their line of sight, rather than looking down at items on a table.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
Make the most of your 10 x 10 space! Utilize every inch effectively, while keeping the layout inviting and not overwhelming for shoppers.
Wanda Azzario-Goldberg
Acrylic
How long have you been doing shows?
Five years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
My booth is dark but warmly lit on the inside to attract customers. It has a red carpet to make you feel comfortable and in a completely different environment. As you walk in, it’s closed on one side, also giving the feeling of entering a room, not a tent. I display my larger pieces toward the back to draw people’s eyes as they walk past. On the outside wall, I have a plaque explaining about my life in the circus with a large circus painting above it.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
I don’t like to clutter but space all my work evenly.
Betty Bills
Home Décor
How long have you been doing shows?
Twenty-five years at least.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
Usually a U shape, as we use two rolling carts to set up our crates on the top. We then add benches all around to bring items up to eye level.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
Getting items up as high as we can and making it welcoming! We do this by adding a black/white rug in front of our carts/display and do primarily black benches to be consistent. We get so many compliments on our booth that is so welcoming and attractive. When we have time, we put up walls, and they are like cedar panels and display our décor on the walls. I get so many compliments from vendors, as well as customers, on these. They are very heavy but worth it for the look.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
Just make your booth as clean and uncluttered as possible. Customers do comment on this.
Meagan Gittins
Jewelry
How long have you been doing shows?
Three years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
I try to get a corner booth when possible. I feel like people would rather walk both sides than step inside a booth. I do pretty much the same layout whether it’s a corner spot or not. I use two 6-foot tables in an L shape on one corner, then another 4-foot table on the opposite wall. I have my cash stand in the back corner (opposite the L). If it’s a corner booth, I orient items to the outside. If it’s not, the side table is oriented inside and the front table has things facing out.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
Use multiple levels, keep people’s eyes moving up and down and at different depths.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
Use table risers. A standard 6-foot table is way too low for displaying jewelry. You want it to be about eye level. I looked on Amazon for table risers, then realized I could make them myself easily with some PVC.
Jennifer Domal Batik
Egg Art
How long have you been doing shows?
Ten-plus years.
Describe your booth design and how it attracts attendees.
It’s a stacked U, I suppose. One side is an L shape. The other side is a stair, step facing out to patrons. I use ProPanels for the walls and have Armstrong accessories, so I can have brackets for ProPanel shelves. Since I make ornaments, I hang high-quality evergreen bunting on the wall, beginning in August. Depending on the show, I may have a tabletop Christmas tree on a pedestal. Patrons are able to have space at each section without concern for fragility of the artwork or bumping into each other. There is room on the walls for graphics that describe the process of creating the artwork.
Related to your medium, what are your top tips and tricks for displaying your work?
Because the artwork seems fragile to people with children and pets, nothing is displayed at a height lower than the top of an average 4-year-old’s head. They can see without having it in easy grasp. All the shelves are eye level for women and men, where desks, wall units, mantels would be as they would be displayed in a home. I use a variety of stands and depending on the weather, sometimes glass domes.
What is the best advice you received from a fellow artist regarding your booth design/display?
Remove half of what I had displayed to allow space. I didn’t believe it would work but did it anyway. It was the best weekend I ever had. Whenever I am having a slump, I put work away to give space. It doesn’t even matter what I put away. I can always “check and see if I have something for you,” which makes a person feels special looking through a box. That advice to give my work space made me see my art in a new way.
Do you have any other comments on this topic?
Seek constructive criticism at every show from artists at the show you are at who have booths you admire. It doesn’t matter what the medium is. My favorite question is, “If you were my sister/brother, what would you tell me to change?” It always starts a conversation that is collegial. And I always learn something from them about how they got their booth to where it is now.