How to conquer kid’s art clutter, even if you can’t bear to throw anything away!
Contrary to popular belief, archivists do not save everything.
Actually!
One of my archival mentors was very fond of the saying, “When in doubt, throw it away.”
outside!”
When I tell people this, they usually don’t believe me. But this is the reality: yes
Archives and historical societies preserved all the items that landed in their
door… every canceled check… every unidentified photograph… every duplicate
map… Well, there would simply be no room left for new collections. And so
It won’t work in the long run, right? No way.
The same applies to your family file, but it’s a little different. When
Collections stay with a family, sentimental value is very important. i am a mom
myself, so I understand how hard it can be to part with sentimental treasures like
children’s drawings, paintings and sculptures. Original art is not the same as
a canceled check! But keep reading, because I have found some solutions for your
dilemma.
SORT EVERYTHING IN TWO PILES
The first step to conquering clutter is to start decluttering. Designate a “Keep
Forever” and one for “Other” (more on what you can do with these later).
boxes would be great, but feel free to arrange them on a table or on the floor. Just make sure your
treasures don’t stay in stacks for long. It is much safer for them to live in boxes with
caps
Keepers should go for a high-quality file storage box. These tend to be 3″
deep, so if your “hold” stack is more than 3″ tall, you’ll need more than one
box. Or you’ll have to go through the “keep” stack again and remove a few more. He
it depends on what your budget allows and the storage space available.
What to save? I would recommend a sample that includes all of your children and
represents each of their school years. Beyond that, it’s up to you. That’s your job like
the family archivist. You can choose pieces that really catch you, the ones that have
the most visually appealing, or the ones with the most interesting stories behind them
them. Depending on how old your children are, they can help you with the decision.
doing.
STILL CAN’T BEAR TO BE PARTED FROM THEM?
If you have space to store it all, then keep it. But if you’re running
If you run out of storage space, you’ll need to do what archivists call “removal of access.”
Fortunately, we live in an age of technological marvels, and digital copies can make it easier.
the pain of separation. Think of digital copies as
substitutes. You can still see the art, but you don’t have to look at the clutter.
more and you have more storage space.
Scanning is an option, but for children’s art you would need a large scanner, which
most people simply haven’t. I thought of buying one for my business purpose.
large scans take a long, long time, making the service too expensive for me
clientele.
A little while ago I had a real “Eureka!” moment and realized that digital cameras are
the way to follow. Fast, cheap and within the reach of most families these days.
So stay away! Try to get even lighting and a good direct shot. Use an easel if
have one to support the drawings. For three-dimensional items like papier-mâché and clay, make sure
shoot from more than one angle.
STORE ARTWORK TO LAST FOR GENERATIONS
The best type of box for long-term storage of *any* paper records (including
letters, photographs and artwork) is an acid and lignin free archival box made
No unknown adhesives or plastics. Oversized materials are best stored flat rather than upright.
than to stand This will prevent the paper from permanently curling and slumping.
down in a less than full box.
Good boxes are available from file supply companies such as mr gay
(gaylord.com) and Light prints (lightimpressionsdirect.com). My
my personal favorite and the one I recommend most often for children’s art is Gaylord GH-
DFB24. It has a hinged front for easy access, a full lid to keep out dust and light,
it’s big enough and comes in an attractive black. The cost is around $29 including
shipment. The price goes down if you order more than 5, so place an order with
friends can save you money.
school brochure (schoolfolio.com) sells polypropylene portfolios in two sizes.
Polypropylene is one of the inert (and therefore safe) plastics. The largest holder has
separate sections inside. The smaller wallet comes in exciting, vivid colors and
patterns. The company even created its own foundation called Save the Art, which
donates money to “selected youth arts groups.” Everyone wins!
My only caveat about plastic (even safe plastic) is that it tends to cling
moisture, so it’s not a good idea to store one of these in a damp basement or without
air-conditioned attic. It is also not the best option if you live in a humid climate like
Like Florida or Hawaii. In this situation, you’d better use file boxes.
Where to keep it? Attics, garages, and foundations are poor options. Tea
temperature and humidity are generally not controlled, which will cause stress and
damage over elapsed time. Also, they tend to have creepy crawlies and other critters that
literally eat your artwork. Closets located on the inside of your home are
perfect. Under the bed works great too, but don’t keep treasures near a radiator.
or outer wall.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE “OTHER” STACK AND ITS NEW DIGITAL COPIES
Just because it’s not worth keeping in a very high quality archival box doesn’t mean that
you have to throw it away!
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 wrapping paper.
*Laminate those with a seasonal theme and use as placemats.
*Punch holes and save in a 3-ring binder.
*Have your local copy shop add covers and bind them into one book.
kids art project (kidsartproject.com) will transform up to 6 paintings into
a single 18×24″ poster collage. Cost is less than $100 per photo unframed and unmounted.
Ideas for sharing digital copies
* Send them an email.
*Use as desktop image on your computer.
* Create a slideshow screen saver that cycles through a number of different
masterpieces
*Upload to an online digital photography company like snapfish.com or
imagestation.com – They can create a dizzying array of products including
calendars, playing cards, mugs, puzzles, coasters, mats… the possibilities are
practically endless!
Jacobs File Services create dynamic DVD slideshows from digital files
photos. This is not your dad’s boring old slideshow! They add music, titles and
interactive menus. No special computer equipment is needed, just a DVD.
player and television. Turn any room into an art gallery with your little one
Picasso(s).
For a current price list, simply send an email to: [email protected]
.
The list will arrive automatically in a few moments.
CONCLUSION
I hope these basic filing principles and creative solutions help you enjoy the
works of art in his family’s collection. Remember that even archivists throw away some things
to make room for new items. Select what you like best and invest in high
quality storage materials. Artworks that you store properly for the long term
It will bring joy to your family for years to come. My mom saved some “masterpieces” from
mine, and it is a special pleasure to share them with my daughter. Thanks Mom!
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