When we took the Bright Art Box Traveling Art Gallery on the road for our very first outdoor market, we were buzzing with excitement. We had the art, the glow, the setup… and the sun. Lots and lots of Central Texas Sunshine.
It turns out, the sun had its own plans for our glowing art boxes.
Within a couple of hours, we noticed something strange. Some of our boxes, which usually look crisp and cool, started looking… wavy. The direct sunlight was turning our gallery into a collection of little super heated greenhouses. Temperatures spiked inside the light boxes, and the plastic got so hot that several started to warp.
We quickly separated the backs from the fronts of the units allowing the hot air to escape and we moved the light boxes out of the direct sun to allow them to cool down. Yep, we learned the hard way: direct sunlight + greenhouse effect = superheating that can melt or deform a Bright Art Box.
🌡 Why It Happens
Our light boxes are 3D printed with high-quality PLA+ plastic. It’s durable, lightweight, and safe for indoor use. But here’s the catch:
- PLA+ can soften around 140°F (60°C).
- A closed box sitting in direct sunlight can reach well above that, just like how a car dashboard gets blazing hot on a summer day.
So while your Bright Art Box is built to shine, it’s not built to sunbathe.
🙃 Our “Oops” Moment at the Market
This first outdoor show was a crash course and we learned so many things. The sun came in at just the right angle, and even though the day didn’t feel that hot being in the 90s, the insides of the light boxes acted like little greenhouses.
Result? Some melted edges, a little embarrassment, and a whole lot of “Well… now we know.”
On the bright side (pun intended), it pushed us to evolve our product design and start developing new display methods for outdoor shows: more shading, better airflow, and setups that keep boxes cool while still showing off the glow.
✅ What This Means for You
If you own a Bright Art Box, here’s the short version:
- Keep it out of direct sunlight. Windowsills, hot cars, and outdoor setups are not its friend.
- Display indoors, away from heat. It’s happiest glowing in a cozy room, not baking in the sun.
- Think of it like a houseplant. It thrives in the light you give it, just not the blazing midday sun.
💡 The Takeaway
Every Bright Art Box is made to glow beautifully indoors, not to withstand solar flare-level heat. Our first outdoor market taught us a lesson we’ll never forget, and we’re passing it on to you: enjoy the glow, avoid the melt.
And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll invent a heat-proof outdoor edition. Until then, let’s keep the light where it belongs, shining inside.