Review the space you have on the sidewalk and decide what environmental features and fixtures you can use to help display your art. Railings, walls, benches and trees, can all lend themselves to use as impromptu gallery fixtures. However, be aware of any regulations imposed by the show organizers and the city. New York City, for example, has stringent laws concerning sidewalk vendors. Check whether you can display art on any trees in your space.
Choose your very best work; it’s better to only display a few pictures for sale rather than try and fill the sidewalk with everything you have. Select pictures that complement each other while still illustrating your style.
Nail tacks into the frames of your bigger picture and tie picture wire between them, making them ready to hang. Hang these pictures from the tops of railings, if available, to display them as if they were on a gallery wall. Choose the arrangement of pictures carefully and be certain not to crowd pieces too close together, as this will lessen the impact of each picture. Space the images far enough apart so people can move bwetween them and view each one with ease.
Angle smaller pictures between the sidewalk and the wall or railings; people will still be able to see them from a distance, and you should be able to fit several into your allocated space this way without making them look cramped together. Use benches, if available, to achieve the same effect.
Hang one or two pictures on a tree, if this is allowed. You might be able to hang images over a branch or even hammer a nail into the tree trunk to display a painting, but be careful not to cause any damage to the tree, and always ensure that passers-by won’t accidentally knock down the pictures.
Display some of your work, but place other pieces, such as watercolors, prints or smaller photographs and paintings, in clear plastic sleeves, stacked in a rack so people can thumb through them easily. Mark the price of each piece with removable stickers.
Erect a small marquee, if this is allowed, and place trestle tables inside; this creates a more intimate space for your artwork, and offers protection for the art and customers in case of bad weather. Use a portable metal wall to display your work if a marquee isn't suitable -- they fold easily, can be transported in a vehicle, and offer a place to properly display your artwork.