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help with display ideas... fighting the chain

updated wed 16 jul 03

 

joe shaw on tue 15 jul 03


Hi there, this is Rita Shaw, wife of Joe. We have some wonderful
news... we are moving into a handicapped spot at the Santa Barbara
Art & Craft Show (we've been showing since last Nov.). This is a
GREAT spot, at the head of the craft show, with only one other person
on a small lawn. Our space will be 15 ft. wide, 20 ft. deep, with a
driveway on the immediate left going back between two buildings.
Handicapped parking at the back of the space.

However.... the lawn has a looped chain, absolutely HUGE links,
directly across the entire front. We will have to turn the access of
our display to use the driveway. The chain is about 20" high in the
center, rising to about 40" at the posts, about 8' between the posts.
You get the idea, right? Links about 4"X6", heavy iron.

The other person's art is painting, and he sits at the chain with his
pieces right there, so the customers do not have to come in to his
display, only the artist.

Obviously, the chain acts as a physical and visual barricade to our
display. Sometimes the children even try to swing the chain, hitting
the tables or display stands if they are placed immediately against
it.

We use tables, presently, shaped like an open "M" i.e. |__||__|
facing the sidewalk. 8 tables 24"x40", covered with black cloth, some
riser boards on the back about 6" high.

We will use a 10'X10' canopy, enclosed on two sides, open to fence
and driveway, set back about 5' to 8' each direction. The afternoon
beach wind can be quite strong, even knocking some light pieces or
bowls on stands off the table.

Somehow, we will have to use the area along the chain (15') to the
best advantage... accessible to touch... and the driveway for people
to turn and walk up to enter the display area.

I'll willing to do whatever it takes to bring folks in. Joe makes
large pieces... decorative & functional, slab work, from small up to
24", and the other direction with his miniatures... teapots less than
2" high, bowls, vases, goblets, mugs, birdbaths... nothing over 3".

We also have some risers & boards we could use... the commercial,
metal three tiered risers, and some wooden folding risers that are 4
tiered and slanted back /| the same as the metal ones.

So, ideas, suggestions, thoughts, whatever you have to offer, I shall
try. I am leaning toward some style of "gallery" look, but not sure
if it would pull folks off the sidewalk and down the driveway.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, you might want to send replies
backchannel, since this isn't a general question and I don't want to
load up the list... Again, thank you, thank you...

Hugs,
Rita

Earl Brunner on tue 15 jul 03


One thing I'd do, is anchor that chain if possible. If you can put some
anchors into the ground, fasten them with rope or smaller chain (or
something) so that the chain won't swing. That thing could kill some
pots.

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of joe shaw
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 12:05 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Help with display ideas... fighting the chain

Obviously, the chain acts as a physical and visual barricade to our
display. Sometimes the children even try to swing the chain, hitting
the tables or display stands if they are placed immediately against
it.