The studio is intended to be a multi-use space. A space to create, a space to run workshops and a space to display my work. Displaying art is a different skill than creating. This is becoming more evident to me because I now have some display units.

Recently I set up a small display corner for mugs, scarves, fabrics, tote bags and cards. Today I added a card and photographic print display made for me by my partner. This will help me show the items I have created. It is thin, and just leans against a wall which makes it portable. Thank you Richard!

Displaying vs Curation

Having some display stands is one thing. Knowing how to make a display enticing is quite another. This is a very different skill to curating art hanging on a wall. How to drape a scarf to show off the design? Which is the best way to stack fabric panels so they are easy to see but don’t take up too much of the very small space? Do I use packaging to protect the fabric, or do I leave it free to enable the hand of the fabric? There are so many new decisions to make.

Then there are questions of lighting and placement of the stands. I opened my studio late last year. The 8 cube display stand was inside the entrance on the left. I was standing opposite the door next to an easel. People came in, spoke to me, looked at the painting on the easel, and turned to face the gallery wall. I don’t think anyone noticed the display stand was there. It was behind them in their arc of movement.

Hopefully, for this year’s open studio, I’ve ironed out some of these problems. Time will tell.