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How to Conquer the Clutter of
Kids Art
by Sally Jacobs
Contrary to popular belief, archivists do not keep everything. Really!
One of my archival mentors was very fond of the saying: "When in doubt,
throw it out!"
When I tell people this they usually don’t believe me. But here’s the
reality: If archives and historical societies kept every single item
that landed on their doorstep....every cancelled check... every
unidentified photograph... every duplicate map… Well, there simply
wouldn't be any room left for new collections. And that won’t work in
the long run, will it? No way.
The same holds true for your family archive, but it's a little
different. When collections stay with a family, the sentimental value is
very important. I’m a mom myself, so I understand how difficult it can
be to part with sentimental treasures like children’s drawings,
paintings, and sculptures. Original art is not the same thing as a
cancelled check! But read on, because I've worked out some solutions for
your dilemma.
SORT EVERYTHING INTO TWO PILES
The first step to conquering the clutter is to start sorting. Designate
a “Keep Forever” pile and one for “Other” (more on what you can do with
these later). Large boxes would be great, but feel free to sort on a
table or the floor. Just be sure your treasures don’t stay in piles too
long. It’s much safer for them to live in boxes with lids.
The keepers need to go into a high quality archival storage box. These
tend to be 3" deep, so if your "keep" stack is more than 3" high, you're
gonna need more than one box. Or you'll need to go through the "keep"
pile again and remove a few more. It depends on what your budget and
available storage space will allow.
What to keep? I'd recommend a sample that includes all your children and
represents each of their school years. Beyond that, it's up to you.
That’s your job as the family archivist. You can choose pieces that
really grab you, the ones that have the most visual appeal, or the ones
that have the most interesting stories behind them. Depending on how old
your children are, they can help with the decision making.
STILL CAN’T BEAR TO PART WITH THEM?
If you've got the room to store it all, then by all means keep it. But
if you're running out of storage space you'll need to do what archivist
call “de-accessioning.” Fortunately, we live in an age of technological
wonders, and digital copies can ease the pain of de-accessioning. Think
of the digital copies as surrogates. You still get to see the art, but
you don't have to look at the clutter anymore and you have more storage
space.
Scanning is an option, but for kid’s art you would need an oversized
scanner, which most folks simply don't have. I thought about purchasing
one for my business but large scans take a long, long, time -- which
makes the service too expensive for my clients.
A little while ago I had a real “Eureka!” moment and realized that
digital cameras are the way to go. Quick, inexpensive, and within the
reach of most families these days. So snap away! Try to get even
lighting and a good straight shot. Use an easel if you have one to
support the drawings. For 3-D items like Paper Mache and clay, be sure
to shoot from more than one angle.
STORING ARTWORK SO IT LASTS FOR GENERATIONS
The best kind of box for the long term storage of *any* paper records
(that includes letters, photographs, and artwork) is an acid-free,
lignin-free, archival box made without adhesives or unknown plastics.
Oversize materials are best stored flat rather than standing up. This
way you avoid permanent curling from paper that slumps down in a
less-than-full box.
Good boxes are available from archival supply companies such as Gaylord
(gaylord.com) and Light Impressions (lightimpressionsdirect.com). My
personal favorite and the one I recommend most often for kid’d art is
Gaylord GH- DFB24. It's got a drop front for easy access, a full lid to
keep out the dust and light, it's big enough and it comes in an
attractive black. Cost is about $29 including shipping. The price goes
down if you order more than 5, so placing an order with friends can save
you money.
Schoolfolio (schoolfolio.com) sells polypropylene portfolios in two
sizes. Polypropylene is one of the inert (and therefore safe) plastics.
The larger holder has separate sections inside. The smaller portfolio
comes in exciting, lively colors and patterns. The company even started
their own foundation called Save the Art which donates money to
"selected youth arts groups." Everyone wins!
My only caution about plastic (even safe plastic) is that it tends to
hold onto moisture, so it's not a good idea to store one of these in a
moist basement or unair-conditioned attic. It’s also not the best choice
if you live in a humid climate such as Florida or Hawaii. In this
situation you’re better off with archival boxes.
Where to store it? Attics, garages, and basements are all poor choices.
The temperature and humidity are usually uncontrolled which will cause
stress and damage over time. Plus they tend to have creepy-crawlies and
other critters that will literally eat your artwork. Closets located in
the interior part of your house are perfect. Under the bed works great,
too -- but don't leave treasures near a radiator or exterior wall.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE “OTHER” PILE & YOUR NEW DIGITAL COPIES
Just because it's not worth storing in a very high quality archival box,
doesn't mean you have to throw it out!
Ideas for Sharing Paper Originals
Send them to grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
Use them to make envelopes.
Use them to make cards.
Use them as gift wrap.
Laminate ones with a seasonal theme and use them as placemats.
Punch holes and store in a 3-ring binder.
Have your local copy shop add covers and bind them into a book.
Kids Art Project (kidsartproject.com) will transform up to 6 paintings
into a single 18x24" poster collage. Cost is under $100 for unframed,
unmounted photo.
Ideas for Sharing Digital Copies
Email them.
Use them as the desktop image on your computer.
Create a slideshow screensaver that cycles through a number of different
masterpieces.
Upload them to an online digital photo company like snapfish.com or
imagestation.com - they can create a dizzying array of products
including calendars, playing cards, mugs, puzzles, coasters, mouse
pads...the possibilities are practically endless!
Jacobs Archival Services creates dynamic DVD slideshows out of digital
images. This is not your father's boring old slide show! They add music,
titles, and interactive menus. There's no special computer equipment
needed, just a DVD player and television set. Transform any room into an
art gallery featuring your little Picasso(s).
For a current price list simply send an email to: pricelist@jacobsarchival.com
. The list will arrive automatically in a few moments.
CONCLUSION
I hope these basic archival principles and creative solutions will help
you enjoy the artwork in you family’s collection. Remember that even
archivists toss some things out to make room for new items. Select what
you love the most and invest in high quality storage materials. Artwork
that you store correctly for the long term will bring your family joy
for years to come. My mom saved a few “masterpieces” of mine, and it’s a
special treat to share them with my daughter. Thanks, Mom!
About the author
Sally J. Jacobs has a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science
with a specialization in Archives Management. She has worked on
collections at the Library of Congress, the Wisconsin Historical
Society, and the University of Wisconsin. Her FREE monthly Ask the
Archivist eZine includes tips on how to organize, preserve, and enjoy
your family treasures. It will even help you with your "born digital"
photos! Signup is quick and easy online:
http://www.jacobsarchival.com. Stop by the website and pick up some
free preservation information. Your great-granddaughter will be glad you
did.
Don't Let Your Memories Disappear!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Jacobs
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