Learn how to build the Benyo Booth, a collapsible display system designed by artists for artists. This article shares the story behind its development, highlights the features that make it effective for art fairs and exhibitions, and provides step-by-step plans for constructing your own.
What’s Needed
The materials and hardware listed below are needed to construct the Benyo Booth display fixtures. Quantities are based on the design presented in this article and can be adjusted to suit your specific display needs.
Lumber
12-inch Boards (11¼ in. (28.5 cm) actual)
2 boards @ 12 in. wide × 8 feet (96 in.) long
1 board @ 12 in. wide × 24 in. (24 × 61 cm) long
8-inch Boards (7¼ in. (18.4 cm) actual)
2 boards @ 8 in. wide × 8 feet (96 in.) long
1 board @ 8 in. wide × 12¼ in. long
6-inch Boards (5¼ in. (13.3 cm) actual)
1 board @ 6 in. wide × 8 ft. (96 in.) long
1 board @ 6 in. wide × 12¼ inches long
½-inch Square Dowels (for stabilizing rails)
Four ½ in. × 36 in. (1.3 × 91 cm) long dowels
Other Materials and Tools
Wood glue
Combination square or speed square
Tape measure
Pencil
Drill
1⁄8-inch-drill bit for pilot holes
Phillips-head drill bit
#8 × 1 inch (2.5 cm) Phillips-head screws
120-grit sandpaper
Electric sander
Finish of choice (paint, stain, wax, or clear coat)
Sixteen 3 in. (7.6 cm) hinges with 5⁄8 in. or 3⁄4 in. (1.5 or 1.9 cm) screws (only 12 hinges if you choose to screw the two KJ bases together)
N95 mask or respirator
Kristin: I love craft shows, but I’ve never looked forward to teardown. After years of hauling a heavy ladder and board display, I decided to create something better.
Using materials from my old booth, scrap lumber, and a few hinges, I built a modular system of lightweight, collapsible pedestals. The display is flexible, easy to transport, and packs down to a compact footprint. Now my entire booth consists of two folding tables, tablecloths, lighting, and a stack of pedestals, making setup and teardown far easier on my back, vehicle, and storage space.
Jen: At a studio tour in Morgantown, I watched Kristin set up her booth in less than an hour while I was still assembling my bulky ladder display. What impressed me most wasn’t just the clean, professional appearance but the hidden storage built into the back. Our friend Lisa Giuliani dubbed it “the mullet of booth displays”: business in the front, party in the back.
Inspired, I built my own Benyo Booth the very next day, adding top rails to lock the hinged sides in place and secure the lids. After a couple of years of using it in a variety of configurations, I can attest to its versatility, quick setup, and generous table height storage. It has become one of the most useful investments in my studio practice.
Together, Kristin and I have documented the design so that other artists can build and adapt the Benyo Booth for their own work. The following plans outline the materials, hardware, and construction process for creating a durable, flexible display system that travels easily and makes booth setup and teardown significantly more manageable.
Cut the Lumber
Refer to “Cutting Diagram” for layout of cuts. We used a 12-inch (30.4-cm) sliding miter saw for all cuts, but any saw capable of making accurate crosscuts will work, including a jigsaw, circular saw, or non-sliding miter saw. Keep in mind that the kerf (the width of material removed by the blade) will vary depending on the type of saw and blade used.
If your miter saw does not have a 12-inch (30.4-cm) cutting capacity, make the cut from one side of the board, then flip it over and complete the cut from the opposite side. Before cutting, use a square to mark 90-degree cut lines on both faces of the board to ensure the cuts align accurately.
Sand all edges of the boards and, if desired, smooth the faces as well. We used an electric sander with 120-grit sandpaper to soften sharp edges and slightly round the corners. This step helps prevent splinters and creates a more finished appearance. Be sure to wear a respirator or N95 mask while sanding.
Pair and Label Risers
Before assembly, label the interior faces of each riser top (lid) with its corresponding hinged base. This will make setup and teardown much faster and ensure that each top is paired with the correct base during booth installation.
Secure the Dowels
Refer to the photographs for exact placement. Once the glue has set, drill two pilot holes through each dowel (countersink if desired) and secure it with two screws. We used a 1⁄8-inch drill bit for pilot holes and #8 × 1-inch (2.5-cm) drywall screws.
Countersink only enough to recess the screw heads. Drilling too deeply may allow the screws to penetrate the top surface of the riser.
Assemble and Finish
Attach the hinges to the side pieces of each riser base first. Center each hinge on the side piece, then use the front piece as a guide to confirm proper placement.
The side pieces are positioned behind the front piece, creating a clean, seamless appearance from the front of the display. Drill pilot holes before inserting screws. We used 5⁄8-inch (1.5-cm) screws for all hinge attachments and recommend purchasing hinges that include 5⁄8-inch (1.5-cm) screws whenever possible.
Once the hinges are secured to the side pieces, attach them to the front piece. Position the side wall flush against the back of the front piece, drill pilot holes, and install the screws. Repeat for all remaining hinge locations.
After all risers and top pieces have been assembled, apply a finish of your choice to help protect the wood from drying out and absorbing moisture.
Options include:
Wax
Clear protective finish
Paint
Stain
Etc.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times before putting the risers into service.
Kristin finished her booth with gray paint, while Jen chose a clear satin topcoat.
Conclusion
The Benyo Booth was developed by Kristin out of a simple goal: create a display system that is attractive, adaptable, and easy for a single artist to manage. By using a series of lightweight, modular risers, the booth can be arranged to suit a wide variety of spaces, displays, and inventories while providing valuable storage hidden behind the scenes.
Whether you’re setting up for a local studio tour, a weekend art fair, or a large exhibition, this system can help reduce setup and teardown time, lessen physical strain, and create a professional presentation for your work. We hope these plans provide a useful starting point and inspire you to customize the design to fit your own artistic practice and display needs.
the authors Jen Allen is a full-time ceramic artist and small business owner based in Morgantown, West Virginia. For more information about Allen and her work, visit jenniferallenceramics.com.
Kristin Schoonover is a potter based at the Clayspace Ceramic Cooperative in Asheville, North Carolina. For more information about Schoonover and her work, visit benyopottery.com.
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Learn how to build the Benyo Booth, a collapsible display system designed by artists for artists. This article shares the story behind its development, highlights the features that make it effective for art fairs and exhibitions, and provides step-by-step plans for constructing your own.
What’s Needed
The materials and hardware listed below are needed to construct the Benyo Booth display fixtures. Quantities are based on the design presented in this article and can be adjusted to suit your specific display needs.
Lumber
Other Materials and Tools
Kristin: I love craft shows, but I’ve never looked forward to teardown. After years of hauling a heavy ladder and board display, I decided to create something better.
Using materials from my old booth, scrap lumber, and a few hinges, I built a modular system of lightweight, collapsible pedestals. The display is flexible, easy to transport, and packs down to a compact footprint. Now my entire booth consists of two folding tables, tablecloths, lighting, and a stack of pedestals, making setup and teardown far easier on my back, vehicle, and storage space.
Jen: At a studio tour in Morgantown, I watched Kristin set up her booth in less than an hour while I was still assembling my bulky ladder display. What impressed me most wasn’t just the clean, professional appearance but the hidden storage built into the back. Our friend Lisa Giuliani dubbed it “the mullet of booth displays”: business in the front, party in the back.
Inspired, I built my own Benyo Booth the very next day, adding top rails to lock the hinged sides in place and secure the lids. After a couple of years of using it in a variety of configurations, I can attest to its versatility, quick setup, and generous table height storage. It has become one of the most useful investments in my studio practice.
Together, Kristin and I have documented the design so that other artists can build and adapt the Benyo Booth for their own work. The following plans outline the materials, hardware, and construction process for creating a durable, flexible display system that travels easily and makes booth setup and teardown significantly more manageable.
Cut the Lumber
Refer to “Cutting Diagram” for layout of cuts. We used a 12-inch (30.4-cm) sliding miter saw for all cuts, but any saw capable of making accurate crosscuts will work, including a jigsaw, circular saw, or non-sliding miter saw. Keep in mind that the kerf (the width of material removed by the blade) will vary depending on the type of saw and blade used.
If your miter saw does not have a 12-inch (30.4-cm) cutting capacity, make the cut from one side of the board, then flip it over and complete the cut from the opposite side. Before cutting, use a square to mark 90-degree cut lines on both faces of the board to ensure the cuts align accurately.
Sand all edges of the boards and, if desired, smooth the faces as well. We used an electric sander with 120-grit sandpaper to soften sharp edges and slightly round the corners. This step helps prevent splinters and creates a more finished appearance. Be sure to wear a respirator or N95 mask while sanding.
Pair and Label Risers
Before assembly, label the interior faces of each riser top (lid) with its corresponding hinged base. This will make setup and teardown much faster and ensure that each top is paired with the correct base during booth installation.
Secure the Dowels
Refer to the photographs for exact placement. Once the glue has set, drill two pilot holes through each dowel (countersink if desired) and secure it with two screws. We used a 1⁄8-inch drill bit for pilot holes and #8 × 1-inch (2.5-cm) drywall screws.
Countersink only enough to recess the screw heads. Drilling too deeply may allow the screws to penetrate the top surface of the riser.
Assemble and Finish
Attach the hinges to the side pieces of each riser base first. Center each hinge on the side piece, then use the front piece as a guide to confirm proper placement.
The side pieces are positioned behind the front piece, creating a clean, seamless appearance from the front of the display. Drill pilot holes before inserting screws. We used 5⁄8-inch (1.5-cm) screws for all hinge attachments and recommend purchasing hinges that include 5⁄8-inch (1.5-cm) screws whenever possible.
Once the hinges are secured to the side pieces, attach them to the front piece. Position the side wall flush against the back of the front piece, drill pilot holes, and install the screws. Repeat for all remaining hinge locations.
After all risers and top pieces have been assembled, apply a finish of your choice to help protect the wood from drying out and absorbing moisture.
Options include:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times before putting the risers into service.
Kristin finished her booth with gray paint, while Jen chose a clear satin topcoat.
Conclusion
The Benyo Booth was developed by Kristin out of a simple goal: create a display system that is attractive, adaptable, and easy for a single artist to manage. By using a series of lightweight, modular risers, the booth can be arranged to suit a wide variety of spaces, displays, and inventories while providing valuable storage hidden behind the scenes.
Whether you’re setting up for a local studio tour, a weekend art fair, or a large exhibition, this system can help reduce setup and teardown time, lessen physical strain, and create a professional presentation for your work. We hope these plans provide a useful starting point and inspire you to customize the design to fit your own artistic practice and display needs.
the authors Jen Allen is a full-time ceramic artist and small business owner based in Morgantown, West Virginia. For more information about Allen and her work, visit jenniferallenceramics.com.
Kristin Schoonover is a potter based at the Clayspace Ceramic Cooperative in Asheville, North Carolina. For more information about Schoonover and her work, visit benyopottery.com.
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