Most conservators would like for us to keep our artwork in totally dark environmentally controlled rooms. Actually that's not true, if we did there would probably not be much need for conservators would there? The preponderance of available information does cause one to question what is the correct and acceptable way to care for artwork.

The large museums of the world do have environmentally controlled rooms to both display and store their works of art. They have full time conservators whose sole purpose is to see to the care of their collections. Additionally they have the luxury of having a great deal of art, along with storage space, and can therefore rotate their pieces for different periods of time to reduce their exposure to light.

Most of us however have to be a little more realistic and practical about our approach to art care. We buy a piece of art because we like it and maybe even know the artist personally. Perhaps we already know the perfect spot to display our piece once we get it home. It will "fit" nicely in a certain location and our guest might be able to enjoy it on their visits as well.

Being a painter my concern of course is for framed 2 dimensional works of art and I will limit my comments to such pieces. There is other information available on the web regarding 3 dimensional work and even outdoor pieces. As little as 15 to 20 years ago there was not much concern in the professional framing community regarding conservation. That has all changed dramatically in recent years with most professional framers doing a very good job of educating their customers about proper care of art and good framing techniques. It may cost a little more but it is certainly worth the expense in the long run, and who knows - that piece you just purchased might appreciate in value beyond your wildest expectations. Aside from that possibility however, it just makes good sense to frame a work correctly and have comfort in the knowledge that you are protecting your investment.

Your best source of help will be to work with a professional framer who is a member of PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association). PPFA encourages its members to achieve CPF (Certified Picture Framer) status, the highest level of professional recognition in the art and framing industry. Such framers are usually very knowledgeable about the latest technological advancements in the materials and techniques of picture framing. They attend the industry trade shows and keep abreast of new information and trends through various periodicals and trade publications. Be advised - quality framing is not cheap - but for a valued work of art it can be priceless.

Framers today have a wealth of quality materials to work with, some of which have only recently been introduced. There are glazings which have the added feature of coatings to guard against UV light exposure and new mat and backing boards which have been designed to create an environment capable of slowing paper degradation, neutralizing acid by-products and guarding against damaging pollutants. Ask your picture framer for museum-quality mat board. According to the Library of Congress, "to be of museum quality, the board must be free of acid (alkaline, ideally pH 7 to pH 9) and colored with non-damaging dyes that don't run if they get wet. The board could be 100% cotton rag or chemically purified wood pulp (high alpha-cellulose and negative to lignin). Poor quality mats can damage the pictures they are supposed to protect. The most common damage is dark yellow staining, particularly around the edges of the window mat that frames the picture. Known as 'matburn,' the stain is caused by migration of acidic components in the board. Matburn can discolor an item dramatically and is also an indication of chemical damage to the paper". Attachment of the artwork to the mat or mount should be by hinging with high-quality Japanese paper and a permanent, nonstaining, reversible adhesive. Homemade starch paste is the choice of conservators. Avoid commercial tapes, including those advertised as archival. In short, there are a myriad of choices. You would be best served to seek the guidance of a trained professional framer for their advice and recommendations.

Probably the most important concern for your artwork, even after having it properly framed, is where you decide to hang and display it. By all means - AVOID HANGING ANY PIECE OF ART WHERE IS WILL BE EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT. This is probably the single most important bit of advice that I can stress. Exposure to direct sunlight has most likely damaged more art than any other element of concern. Please make every effort to avoid having your art in a location which will have it face long periods of exposure to excess light.

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