Tips for Setting Up For at the Hotel Fair

If you're new to the Encaustic Conference and wondering how to set up for a Hotel Fair in a venue you've not seen before, know that the Provincetown Inn features a variety of room types.  In this group of images from a few years ago, we look at how artists set up their rooms. I've identified a few locations so that you might arrive with a sense of what to expect. (Plus it's really fun to see the range of work shown at the fair.) 

Schedule for Conference 10
. 9:30-11:00: The Motel section (Harborview, Cape Tip, and Breakwater), plus the Lobby for those not staying at the Inn
11:00-12:30: The Inn section (Standard and Waterview)

Announce yourself
Seems simple enough, but not everyone does it. Identify yourself with a card or small sign outside the door to your room. We'll also set up an informal room list outside the Mayflower Room so that you can print your name next to the room number you're in.

In the motel section, Lisa Pressman's sign . . .

. . . and a peek into her room

In the Waterview section, Tracey Adams and Paula Roland . . .

. . . shared a room and set up their installation together

Also in the Waterview section, Linda Cordner identified herself with a postcard on the door . . .

. . . and a offered clean, minimal presentation

Nearby, also in the Waterview section, Lorraine Glessner posted a card . . .

. . . and made a nicely minimal presentation as well. The sheet folded to serve as a dresser cloth is a nice touch

Helen Dannelley and Cheryl McClure announced their presence with a sign in the hallway of the motel section. Be sure to remove hallway and room signs after the fair

Inside Room 160 beds  . . .

. . . and walls were put into service. Note how each artist has identified her work with an image-and-name printout

Setting up your display

The bed is the easiest surface to use, since no hanging is required, but there are many ways to make an installation.

Here's another view of Cheryl McClure's multilevel bed display

Cherie Mittenthal used the flat sheet-covered mattress but varied the planes, placing some pieces flat and propping up others. Note how she also used the headboard as a ledge

Dawna Bemis kept her installation minimal on the bed . . .

. . . but took advantage of the furniture in the room. No hanging required.

By the way, notice the nice white bedspreads that some artists have used? They're the (flowered) bedspread turned underside out

In the motel section, Maura Joy Lustig took a different tack, placing a dark-colored cloth on the spread. Very dramatic against the work

Joan Stuart Ross turned the mini fridge into a pedestal

Kay Hartung came with her own folding panels, which she placed on a desk

And then there's the bathroom, which can create a nice little gallery for small work

Above: Marie-Claude Allen set up a fabulous little installation in her bathroom

Below: Laura Moriarty placed small scuptures on the ledge above the sink (with monotypes reflected in the mirror)

Providing information about your work

There are many ways to provide general information: postcards, business cards, computer-generated image-and-text sheets, price lists. Some artists had catalogs available for viewing (or sale). 

Edith Rae Brown's presentation is notable for several elements in addition to the printed information she provided: She brought easels to support her small paintings, and she placed them on crates for visual interest

Below: Her info sheet give you prices and three different ways to contact her to see more should you wish

Jane Allen Nodine provided gallery-style information along with her cards

Traveling a Distance?

If you're driving to the Conference, it's easy to take large paintings or props like crates and  folding panels with you. However if you're flying--and particularly if you're taking Cape Air over from Logan Airport--you'll have to travel lighter (unless youFedEx work to yourself). 

David A. Clark, coming from California, created a simple installation with t-shirt-shaped monotypes, very different from the room installation he did for Conference 5 

Susan Delgalvis, coming from Alaska, showed a combination of good-quality prints of her work (one of which created a dramatic door poster. . .

. . . along with a few actual pieces

Susanne Arnold, coming from Virginia, brought small sculptures

Anne Mavor, coming from Oregon, displayed two small watercolor-and-encaustic paintings on her bed and used her display time to show her process. (Obviously, this would not work with hot wax!) 

Thinking about an installation?

Each years we see a few room-size installations. Scale and simplicity can be very dramatic in contrast to displays of many works.

Pat Spainhour, who knew two Provincetown dealers were coming to see her work, opted for a less-is-more installation of monotypes . . .

. . . closer view below

Lisa Zukowski took advantage of the curtain rod to install her wall  . . .

. . . of printed strips

Misa Galazzi opted for an installation in the alcove outside her door

Sarah Rehmer installed this piece outside her room--and then proceeded to have a sellout show of her work inside!

Showing in the Lobby
The image below is of the Book Signing (which takes place on Saturday late afternoon), not the Hotel Fair, but I've included it to show you how large a space we have here. If you're not staying at the Inn, this where you'll set up.

Sara Mast and Tracey Adams at the Book Signing at Conference 7

Debra Claffey at Conference 6's Hotel Fair. Deb brought her own panels

Elise Wagner's presentation at Conference 6's Hotel Fair. Elise tied a line between two pillars and created an intimate viewing space with an available sofa and table.