Figure 1
Figure 2
Many variations are possible. Very tall objects might be handled by the self-supporting structure shown in [Figure 2]. Some exhibitors extend back and side walls to the floor, but this requires more panel material and tempts the exhibitor to mount text and illustrations below the level of easy viewing.
The title board can be functional as well as attractive, as in [Figure 1]. It puts your main title where it can be seen easily and it conserves wall space. It can brace the side walls and serve to shield lights.
Materials. Attractive exhibit structures can be built from artboard and similar paper products, so for one-time-only elementary school exhibits you may not wish to invest in more permanent materials. But if you look forward to other projects, exhibits, and fairs, you will be wise to consider materials which will hold up in repeated use. Even though most fairs do not permit you to compete in successive years with the same exhibit material, seldom do they require you to build a new structure each year to hold your changing displays.
“Masonite” and similar wood-fiber particle boards are relatively inexpensive, take paint and adhesives well, are fairly light, and in thicknesses of more than ⅛ inch and lengths of less than 48 inches are sufficiently rigid when supported by adjoining panels. They are available with rows of holes pre-drilled to accommodate a multiplicity of “pegboard” hanger devices. If you hope to use your basic structure for other exhibits, pegboard allows you flexibility in rearranging three-dimensional exhibit items. Also, the holes facilitate wiring down display items that might be dislodged by careless viewers or filched by thoughtless souvenir hunters.
One standard 4-by-8 foot sheet of hardboard or plywood will suffice for the typical tabletop structure if you divide it as shown in [Figure 3].
Plywood and untempered hardboard should be sealed with a primer coat before finish painting. If you seal the reverse side of the panels also, they warp less. For finish coats, the enamel now available in aerosol spray cans will save you some brush work. Always apply spray paints in several light coats while the surface is horizontal, to avoid unsightly “runs”.