This is a guide to framing (or not) and shipping your work. Please read carefully, especially if this is your first exhibition.
Arabi Visual Arts strives to provide a very positive experience to our visitors as well as the artists we represent. Therefore, during the curation process, a preference is given to framed work. There are no real guidelines to the type of frames, glazing, matting, etc. However, all work must be "ready to hang" (see description below) and have an included shipping label to return unsold work. Continue reading for pros & cons as well as some alternatives.
The costs and risks of glazing (or not) should be considered when submitting your work.
Plexi is lightweight (therefore less expensive to ship), but can scratch easily. Museum grade plexi will protect your work from degradation for many generations but is considerably more expensive.
Regular glass is much cheaper, but more expensive to ship and fairly likely to break during shipping, especially if not packaged properly. Please consider protecting the glass with film, if shipping.
Unglazed work can present very nicely as there will be no glare and it is obviously cheaper to produce and cheaper to ship. However, there is a significantly higher risk to the art work itself, especially with pastels which may experience rubbing in transit.
Some art is actually best suited to being unframed. For example, paintings on stretched canvas. Stretched canvas must still be "ready to hang" (see below). It may also not be economically possibly for some artists to ship their work framed. We will consider these on a case by case basis. On occasion we may accept paper drawings to be installed with push-pins and/or installed via cable using clips. In this case the artist must accept that there will be at holes or indentions created by the clips. It also doesn't present as nicely to buyers and collectors.
As an alternative to shipping framed work, we recommend working with a local frame shop, A to Z framing. They will work with you to frame/mat/glaze your work to your specifications and budget, and we will pick up the finished pieces for free! Each artist is still responsible for return shipping. In addition, to save money on return shipping artists may elect to donate the frames to artists at future exhibitions. Please call A to Z Framing at (504) 283-5319.
Please consider investing in Air Float System shipping boxes. These are available through Uline, Amazon, Clear Bags, and others. Shipping costs (each way) are the responsibility of the artist. A return shipping label must be provided with the appropriate adhesive holder and must be in the box when your work is received. Failure to follow these instructions may result in additional fees (including a 10% administrative fee) to facilitate returning your work if it is not sold.
All art work must be READY TO HANG. This means that Arabi Visual Arts should not have to make any modifications to your art in order to hang it. There should be two d-ring hooks on the back of your art with a wire between them of sufficient gauge to support the art. The d-rings should be placed low enough on the frames that the wire does not show on the wall once it is hung. The wire-ends must be secured and taped properly to prevent injury to our staff and volunteers who may be handling the art.
Sawtooth hooks are NOT ACCEPTABLE. These are difficult to balance and easy to come loose.
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the work being returned without showing it, and/or additional fees to facilitate repairs locally. Arabi Visual Arts will not modify your art.
