PWAS Hanging Art at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms
There is an art to hanging art. Hanging art in a gallery or any art space takes a lot more than just hanging the paintings and photographs willy-nilly. Thought must be given to make it a cohesive show, even telling a story when possible as the viewer moves around the space. There are similarities in solo and group art shows as well as some big differences.
PWAS Hanging Art
The
Prince William Art Society (PWAS) Hanging Committee just hung an art show for the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms for display from March 18 to May 26, 2024. As artwork is delivered, the art is set on tables and counters to gather and see what all there is to work with before placement. The number of pieces accepted into the show will also dictate the entirety of the show and how its hung as well.
Group
art shows means that there are typically ALL kinds of art done in ALL
kinds of styles, mediums, and subjects which is probably the biggest difference between a group art show and a solo artist. There are sometimes themes for art shows,
which could also be subject to artist interpretation of that theme - in medium and styles.
Solo
artist shows are often a collection and/or series of paintings by the
same artist so the story-telling of the display may work well more-so
than a group show. An artist's series can also help identify that the same artist created the show as they are cohesive in format, composition, materials, concepts and/or theme.
For the PWAS group, often
the largest pieces and focal points are hung first. Depending on the features and walls in the space, there are logical spots for certain pieces. Balancing the
display around main features of the room is best, like having something
similar on either side of a fireplace.
The PWAS group moves the art around the room with the goal of
hanging artwork in the most pleasing way, depending on the available
art, the sizes of the artwork, wall space, the hanging system used, how or if art
is framed, the colors used in the painting or photo and the frame, and what will look great if hung together. Nooks and crannies are considered as well with "what will fit where".
At some art shows, perhaps depending on the size of the show and number of artists entered, the artwork might be hung by palette, by subject, or theme. Some galleries hang in a stacked formation while many modern art galleries hang by allowing plenty of space around each piece, to allow a breather (negative space) between each piece for full appreciation when moving around the room.
Hanging Suggestions to Keep in Mind
- Don't hang art so low (or high) that the label with the artist name and title cannot be read, or the art cannot be seen comfortably. Art hung at eye level is the most comfortable way to view the art.
- Use bumpers on the bottom of each piece to prevent shifting and to help protect the walls.
- Use "white glove" treatment when hanging art and its always a good idea to set the artwork on something like cloth or clean cardboard while its resting on the floor.
- By placing artwork (on the floor and leaning against the walls) in the areas that they may potentially go on that wall, the group begins to clearly see what looks great together. Even then, the group will move art around the room as a clearer "picture" begins to develop.
- Find the visual links between artworks - and the contrasts.
- Do group by subject - landscapes or animals all grouped together.
- Hang by color - similarly used colors can work quite well together.
- Hang by framed pieces - black frames together, or white frames, etc.
- Use
negative space to help "frame" each piece. We've also seen art shows
with way too much negative space as well, which loudly says there is not
enough art.
- Mix it up and see what works to make a stand-out collection!
For the Artists
Always read the Call for Art and their hanging requirements before art drop-off. A gallery and most art shows will not accept those saw-tooth hangers at all. Fine art typically uses D-ring hangers and wires but there are occasional differences in hanging requirements for various art shows. Saw-tooth hangers will not be acceptable at art shows that use the gridwall panels either. See PWAS Display here.
Whether it was just the artist in a rush and they overlooked it, we have seen art arrive at drop off where there was no way to hang the art whatsoever. Which then lead to the artist scrambling to go home to wire or going to buy the wiring tools. And remember to LABEL the back with the required items - which also helps to identify who it belongs to.
Yes,
yes, we know that rules are made to be broken but knowing the rules to
begin with is more important toward the success of a good-looking show. I did type SHOW, not art show, on purpose.
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms Has PWAS Art Now
The Prince William Art Society Art Show at the Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farms will run from March 18 to May 26. The Winery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Here are some pictures taken while setting up the show on Monday, March 18 from the outside, the inside downstairs, and the private room upstairs.
To the Right: The stairs going up to the party/private room area where the art is on display.
Upstairs: Looking toward the parking area as you drive in.
Upstairs: A view toward Lake Manassas, where surprisingly, you cannot fish, boat, swim because it is a reservoir.
Here are more photos capturing the PWAS group deciding where art should go. See if you spot your paintings.
Some of the smaller walls could be hung, but the hanging system on other walls had to wait for configuration. Those hanging rail kits are very cool for hanging art and not punching holes everywhere with nails.
PWAS placed the art around the room until the hanging system was in place.
This area tends to be where the "food and bar" areas are as soon as you come up the steps. The artwork is awaiting hanging.
What other suggestions do you have for hanging art?
For Further Reading
7 Design Tips for How to Hang Your Art for a Show
Tips for Hanging an Art Show
A Short Guide on How to Hang Artwork for an Exhibition
How to Hang Your Solo Show: Show Your Works to Their Best Advantage
Behind the Scenes of Planning Solo Art Show
Author: Donna Liguria
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Photography/Video Credits: Donna Liguria
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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The hanging system is used on three walls around Sandra's studio. 
Sandra uses the hanging shoe racks to store her assorted tubes of paint as well as spray paint.
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