You have worked hard at producing and collecting all of your pieces together for your art show. All that you have left to do is to find a place to open an art gallery to display your hard work! Because the viewing of the art is almost as important as the art itself, you will want to make sure you find the perfect gallery space.
It is hard to make something new out of something old. This applies to almost anything – you cannot make melted ice cream taste fresh again, you cannot make worn leather look new, and you have most likely heard the saying, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.’ Having to create a new, customized space out of an old building can lead to many headaches, especially when you already have design ideas in mind.
When a building is constructed, the window/door placement, the wall layout, and room location etc. are decided. To change these things would not only require a great amount of funds, but also a great amount of time. Let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t have time to waste. The only alternative would be to work around the initial build and make it work. Unless, of course, you choose to use a temporary building.
Temporary buildings can be used for a multitude of things – Community events, fairs or trade shows, temporary housing, or storage, etc. These buildings are also perfect for use as gallery space. Why? Keep reading!
Location Setup and Design
Temporary buildings offer the ability to set up your gallery space at any location that meets your size requirements. Many cities are overflowing with vacant lots that are just waiting for you to utilize them for your gallery.
New advances in the field make temporary buildings easy to set up. Once you know your location, the size, and design specifications or customizations, you can place your order. Temporary buildings are a quick way to obtain your gallery space – cutting out any delay in displaying your work.
While it is being created, delivered, and set up, you can get to work on the layout and décor for your building.
Layout
Because this is a new building, you will have complete control over the layout and authority over the flow of traffic. You have spent so much time on creating your artwork and you likely want to make sure guests see it as you have envisioned it.
Some artists prefer using arrows on the floor or signs directing patrons, others use velvet rope or ribbon. You may even choose to use small display shelves or decorative pillars to carve a path. Use a method that is comfortable for you and benefits your art display.
The temporary building removes the task of having to work around walls and odd, difficult layouts.
Segmented Space 
While designing your gallery, you will need to keep in mind the major spaces that need to be included. For example – restrooms, an office, storage area, and a lounge/cocktail area. You will not want to have the flow of the art viewers disrupted by patrons trying to get a beverage or use the facilities. Have restrooms and mingling areas in a centralized area, aside from the way the current is moving.
Most temporary buildings come as a wide-open space, giving you the opportunity to set the location for your feature segmented spaces. Just do not forget to include them!
Climate Control in Temporary Buildings
When you think of a temporary building, you may wonder just how controlled the inside climate can be. After all, art can be extremely delicate and must be housed in a specific environment. Today’s temporary buildings are built to include effective and efficient climate control. In fact, it does not matter what the weather is like in the region you decide to open your gallery, nor does it matter what time of year it is. These sturdy, temporary buildings maintain temperatures and humidity levels to keep your art safe and your patrons comfortably content.
Gallery Space Decor
If you decide to choose a temporary building, then you have many choices to make when it comes to decorating your gallery space. Think of the inside of the building as a blank canvas. Use your artsy side to find your design style and get creative. Here are a few popular style ideas:
- Contemporary – This style is clean cut and smooth. These designs tend to take on a minimalistic approach. Many are bright in color, including bright whites. Contemporary designs can sometimes feel cold and institutional-like, but adding a little color can make them more inviting.
- Chic –This type of decorating style uses old furniture or objects painted or treated to look updated and new. Or uses new items made to look distressed or aged. In other words, a chic designer can revive old items and make a room fresh and welcoming.
- Traditional – A traditional design style is elegant. Mixed patterns from different time periods, floral or antique, dark wood. Very conservative.
- Industrial – This type of design style incorporates a sort of warehouse feel. It uses simple materials, such as wood and metal or stainless steel. In addition, industrial design tends to bring on an unfinished look that can still be basic yet comforting.
- Eclectic – This design type uses pieces from all over the grid. It tears down the so-called decorating rules and combines funky items of various textures and colors. Eclectic designs can bring a sense of freedom and be very welcoming. A surefire way to break the chains of your bold side!
You are an artist. It doesn’t matter what your style is if it matches the feel you are trying to present. Make it uniform or make it spunky. Just welcome it as a space for you to design all your own.
So now you know why a temporary building can make the perfect gallery space. These buildings offer convenience of location, the freedom to design the structure, create the layout, and come up with a décor that matches the feel your art is trying to communicate. Don’t waste time trying to re-design old space.