Whether to Frame?
The What’s Good Project at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, 2021. Morning Bell does a great job supporting local artists by providing monthly rotating exhibitions in a gorgeous spot. Plus top-notch ☕.
(Left to right: White Noise, Soul Biorhythm, Hangman’s Army, and The Hills Stayed Green.)
I once taught a class at Iowa State University on how to run a gallery and how to use the gallery to engage the local community. It was loads of fun and super pragmatic, and I’m sad that the class is gone and that the gallery is gone. Thanks, COVID. (Silver lining tangent is that the gallery space will soon be the lone independent bookstore in our community - shout out, Dog-Eared Books.)
One of the first classes each semester was on how to install an art exhibition. This involved spreadsheets, cleaning supplies, post-it notes, levels, drills, and lots of math. I get a lot of questions from friends and family on the reg about where and how to frame and hang their art, so I thought I would share some insight.
And as always, use what works for you. Ignore what doesn’t. Artist friends, I’d love you to weigh in here as well.
WTF: Whether to Frame
First off, before we get to the logistics of actually designing your space and hanging art, it’s super important to consider whether to frame your newly acquired artworks. The art that I know you’ve been diligently collecting since you read 3 Reasons to Start an Art Collection Pronto, How to Start a Meaningful Art Collection, and Buying Art: (mostly) Do’s and (a few) Don’t's.
Do I Need a Frame?
You may for two reasons. First and most importantly, a frame protects the work. Secondly, framing can create a more polished look for your piece. However, some of us prefer the unframed look. I personally paint on wood panels that do not require a frame for hanging.
Jennifer Drinkwater, Sugar, Sugar, acrylic on wood panel, 36” x 60”, 2018.
(Loved this commission project and hey, look, no visible frame.)
4 Steps to Start the Framing Process
1) Assess What You’ve Got.
If your collection consists mostly of paintings, prints, photographs, or drawings, then it’s pretty straightforward. You will most likely need some kind of structural frame in order to protect the work. If you collect fiber work or sculpture, presentation is not always as cut and dry. If that’s the case, I would encourage you to…
2) Ask the Artist.
What was their final vision for the piece? My friend and textile artist Catherine Reinhart prefers her pieces to be hung without glass. She says, ”When it is under glass you lose the movement of the textile and the beautiful shadows the pieces cast. But if you don't frame them and put them behind glass, they are more difficult to clean, exhibit and preserve. It’s a hard decision to make.”
Catherine Reinhart, Sketch VI, Found Leisure Suit Quilt Blocks and String painting, 22"x 20", 2014. Learn more about Catherine and her work here.
3) Start a Folder of What You Like.
As you travel through your days or peruse online, pay special attention to examples of art installation and framing styles that appeal to you. Some artists create shadow boxes for their artwork. Others hang their pieces with simple binder clips. A really fun rabbit hole to go down is to visit a website like www.pictureframes.com to upload images of your to-be-framed artwork and try out different styles. It’s endless. If you land on something you like, you can frame it yourself or use it as an inspiration when you…
4) Visit a Professional Framer.
They are professional for a reason and can walk you through options while providing expertise. Most hobby and craft shops provide framing services, but I would encourage you to find a locally-owned frame shop in your community. It may be a little more expensive, but not always. Some galleries also provide framing services.
Perry Youth Photography Installation, Art on the Prairie, Perry, Iowa. 2016. Every fifth-grader in Perry was given a disposable camera to document what they loved about their community. The photos were printed and temporarily installed in a downtown storefront for the 2016 Art on the Prairie, a yearly arts festival in Perry.
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