Displaying and Storing Your Children’s Artwork!
What do you do with those macaroni collages, newsprint paintings, and paper-maché masks that your kids bring home? Whether you display or store these precious works of art, make sure to indicate somewhere on the piece who made it and when it was made.
Displaying Children's Artwork
Designate a space for an at-home "gallery" where kids have the opportunity to choose and display some of their work. Refrigerators are frequently the designated spot—but here are some other possibilities:
Inexpensive frames can turn a child's art project into elegant art for your walls. Look for unusual frames at yard sales, or simply tape the work to construction paper or a mat for a "framed effect." (You can use magnetic frames for the refrigerator.)
Wall shelves work well for displaying three-dimensional artwork and keeping fragile pieces safe.
Clotheslines stretched between two hooks are ideal for a temporary display—indoors or out! Attach the artwork with clothespins or clips.
Placemats and coasters can be made from children's drawings using laminating film or clear contact paper.
Photo albums can be used to collect photos or color copies of children's work to make your own "coffee-table" books.
Cards for birthdays and holidays can be made by copying children's artwork.
Traveling exhibits can be created by sending art to relatives and friends.
Storing Children's Artwork
The end of the school year is a good time for you and your kids to decide which pieces of art to save.
Digital photos provide a way of "keeping" the work, even if it's not saved in its original form. Create a computerized art folder for each child.
Portfolios are great for storing flat work. You can buy them or make your own out of clean pizza boxes or heavy paper, tape, and string.
Storage bins work well for three-dimensional pieces.
Remember, kids' confidence in their abilities grows when they see that others appreciate their work. As you plan upcoming "exhibits," don't forget to go back into your "archives." You may find older pieces that look just right alongside the newer ones!