Creative acts: How to display art in your home
MetroCreative
Art can enhance a home, making it personal.
鈥淚 think some people look at their walls and get a nice memory from something they bought or someone has given them,鈥� said Stephanie McClain of Hopwood, a ceramic artist and president of the Uniontown Art Club. 鈥淚 think people display things they are proud of or that represents who they are. It鈥檚 an outward expression of what they feel on the inside.鈥�
Anyone looking for art to display at home can find it in many places: galleries and stores as well as art festivals and shows. It can range from drawings to paintings to ceramics and sculptures.
Art can be a treasured family piece handed down from generation to generation. Or it can be family photographs ready to be framed and hung to celebrate joyful occasions.
But where to begin?
An open space is an inviting place to hang pieces, but it鈥檚 a good idea to think before taking out a hammer and nails.
McClain talked about members displaying pieces at the Uniontown Art Club鈥檚 home at Gallery 86, and advised one of two different methods for the home.
鈥淭he first is a very organized method of lining pictures up in a horizontal line of one beside each other. It鈥檚 very organized, and it follows that line,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淭he other method might be a larger sized piece that works down to a smaller sized piece. The larger piece would be the center and the smaller pieces almost rotate around it. It鈥檚 not a full circle but halfway around.鈥�
McClain noted, 鈥淪ome people like it modern and clean with straight lines and some people like to play with angles for a more offset look. I think it depends on the personality type.鈥�
Some people like to use different themes with art, McClain observed. They may select a color, such as green, and use art that represents plants. They might use pieces from places they visited.
McClain is also in favor of using family photographs when decorating.
鈥淵our personal photos and experiences should be a big part of what you have in your home,鈥� she said.
And it can be a mixture of art rather than all paintings or photographs.
鈥淭he farmhouse theme is big when it comes to people鈥檚 homes,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just flat pieces but more texture. You can have a big piece of barn wood with a painting on it.鈥�
She remarked some people prefer a more modern, sleek design in which pieces are simple and colors are muted. There are elements of metals as an accent but they are sleek.
McClain also suggests using the theme around the house.
鈥淭ry two or three of the same framing for family photos and spread them throughout the house,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can do the same thing with flowers or greenery. If it鈥檚 spread throughout the house, everything ties in.鈥�
Once deciding on a theme and the art to be displayed, there are points to consider.
鈥淎 lot of people talk about hanging things at eye level. What is eye level is not the same for everyone,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淥ne of our members worked for Nemacolin Woodlands with its art collection for 10 years. Their suggestion for eye level is to start a little over 5 feet. Eye level can be whoever is making that decision.鈥�
After deciding on the spot, find a stud on the wall for stability and consider the weight of the piece that will be hung.
鈥淲e have an artist who paints on slate. It鈥檚 heavier than canvas,鈥� noted McClain, adding that most times, a piece will come with a hanging mechanism or a piece of rope.
Art, such as ceramics and sculptures, can be displayed on shelves, a mantle or tables.
鈥淚 like to create levels. I have old books that I put into stacks to give my pieces some dimension and cause your eye to travel,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 necessarily want everything at the same level.鈥�
McClain gave an example of placing a big vase in the middle and a smaller vase on the end that鈥檚 placed on books.
鈥淚 always throw in very simple flowers when I decorate. I use different types of greenery,鈥� she said.
There are other points to think about when displaying art, including heat and lighting.
鈥淪ome artists won鈥檛 display in our front window because of light,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e buying something handmade, talk to the artist about displaying it. The artist will know best how it should be kept.鈥�
McClain said one of the art club members is a watercolor artist who creates beautiful cards with soft color on white paper. Placing them in the sun could cause these pieces to fade.
On the other hand, pieces arranged in a dark corner or room may not be able to be seen.
鈥淚 would encourage them to accent it with lighting,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淚f you took the time to create a nice display and it鈥檚 dark, you won鈥檛 be able to appreciate it.鈥�
Also beware of rooms with moisture, such as powder rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
鈥淎nything paper or canvas-based could potentially be damaged in a damp atmosphere,鈥� McClain said.
Make sure to clean the pieces properly.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 an acrylic or oil painting, you wouldn鈥檛 want to use any chemicals or liquids so only dry dust these,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淣ine times out of 10, anything that鈥檚 behind glass, you can use glass cleaner on it.鈥�
McClain usually dusts in the Uniontown Art Club鈥檚 gallery once a week, using a soft duster.
鈥淚 gently go over each piece, and it鈥檚 perfect for the week,鈥� McClain said. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 on the wall, the biggest part that collects dust is the top rim.鈥�
Once displays are set, how long before it鈥檚 time to consider changing it?
鈥淚n the home, most people will do it seasonally,鈥� said McClain. 鈥淪ome family photos 鈥� not so much. I see some people placing family photos in a timeline 鈥� from a baby to graduation 鈥� but it鈥檚 tastefully done. Not 45 photos.鈥�
Decorating with art can be fun and an activity to share with family.
It鈥檚 also unspoken way to welcome people into the home.
鈥淭hey get to share an intimate part of their lives,鈥� noted McClain, 鈥渨ithout saying anything.鈥�