How to Professionally Frame and Wire Art
How to Professionally Frame and Wire for an Art Show
This is a brief tutorial on how to frame and wire your art pieces for art shows. You work very hard on your artwork, take the time to display your work so it looks professional. This may seem like a trivial matter, but it does make a difference to a juror who is selecting work for a show. It is very common for a juror to see potential and strength in an art piece, but will not select it for a show because it was poorly framed. Don't let this happen to you!
Matting
First of all, matting is important! On very rare occations it is ok to put 2D work in a frame without a mat. Matting creates a visual break for your eyes to rest and allows your piece to be surrounded by "free space" to focus on your art. Mats and frames can be purchased at University Book Store, Campus Book Store, and Hobby Lobby. They can be cut at Hobby Lobby, The Frame Shop (in downtown Ames), and at The Workspace in the Memorial Union. Your artwork can be adhered to a piece of foamcore behind the mat with linen tape.
This is what your mat should look like from the front. This thick wood frame is ideal for hanging artwork, and is very easy to attach hanging wire to!
Plexiglass
Plexiglass needs to be used in your frame INSTEAD of real glass. The reason - If you drop it, plexiglass is much less likely to break and is still just as clear as regular glass. You can purchase plexiglass from Lowe's and they will cut it for you! Again, you have worked very hard, make sure your artwork is protected.
Wiring
This is the part that many people struggle with. All 2D work absolutely MUST have a hanging wire and it MUST be done in this fashion. If it is done incorrectly, your work will not be admitted into any shows in the Memorial Union. Wire means 'hanging wire,' this does not include string, rope, picture hooks or hangers. Hanging kits can be purchased in University Book Store, Campus Book Store, and Hobby Lobby. Eye hooks can be screwed into the back of your wooden frame (as shown in the picture to the right). Wire then needs to be strung across and wrapped around itself. Wire should be loose enough so when you lift the piece from the wire, there is about at 1 inch movement.
The example to the right shows how to twist the wire back around itself, the wire needs to twist back at least 2-3 inches (depending on the wieght of the piece) to ensure it is secure. If the piece is heavy, gravity will pull it down and the more twisting you have done, the stronger the wire will be.
I hope you have found these examples helpful. If you have further questions, or need clarificaion please let me know.
Ashley Antle
