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Getting There

Getting into shows is one thing, getting to shows is quite another.
So how do you get to shows?

      It does take some kind of large cargo space on wheels to accommodate everything needed for an outdoor art show. The artist, after all, is responsible to bring their tent, inventory, props, tables, shelves, displays, lighting and anything else needed to make the booth into a veritable outdoor gallery. In my years of doing shows I have seen people pull up in vans, pick ups, mini vans, step vans, buses, mobile homes, and UHauls of all sizes.

       I have also used many of the above mentioned transports to get there. The best transport of all, however, I have used for the past 10 years, ever since my father passed away and left me his sporty  bright yellow Chevy Cobalt.



   When I first inherited this little gem of a car, I was still using my husbands old jeep to get there. Obviously, one look at the Chevy would tell you there was no way all the goods would fit in it. Then one day I was in the driveway vacuuming out the trunk, and I noticed two small levers built in to the inside top. Hmmmm, could it be? I pulled on those levers and the most wonderful thing happened. The back seats were released to fold down, making an unexpectedly large trunk space!
Imagine my excited reaction when I realized this sporty yellow car could accommodate my stuff and go on the show circuit with me!


     Normally when I drive up to unload at a show in the Cobalt, I get a lot of incredulous looks. It's like, "You can't tell me your booth is packed in there?! No way!“ Then I start unloading, and it's like the clown routine where he keeps pulling larger and larger items out of a tiny VW. One time when a man was watching me unload, he laughingly told me I should do a commercial for Chevy! ( I did write a letter to Chevy, but didn’t get an invitation for a commercial!)

    After 7 years of driving my faithful yellow car, it finally breathed its last breath. My husband and I embarked on a hunt for the next car. All I wanted was a newer version of little yellow. After days of  searching we realized they don't even make my car anymore, and to find one that is affordable, dependable and in decent shape would be in the category of miraculous.

Finally the miracle happened. We found a listing for a newer Chevy Cobalt, silver, with great photos and at the right price. We took the four hour trip to look at it, cash in hand, and I immediately fell in love. Of course the clincher was when I opened the trunk and popped the back sets down. The man who was selling the car, who had driven it for two years,  had a surprised look on his face, and said, “I didn’t know it could do that!” 
“Yep”, I replied, “ I discovered it by accident!And that’s why I want this car!” I drove it home that afternoon in the fog and rain with a big smile on my face. 

       
      So getting there is a big part of the whole art show experience. I look forward to getting to my next show in my little silver car.



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