As a result of the mishandling of art returning from Art Naples, we felt it was a necessity to remind our readers the importance of fine art handling.
Art Handling Training
By Teressa Rose Ezell, eHow Contributor
Can you handle it?
Of all of the careers connected with the field of fine art, the job of art handler stands out as one of the most important. Artists, galleries and museums all depend upon the art handler for the proper care of often irreplaceable works of art. According to the website for the Bronx Council on the Arts, an art handler “is responsible for the maintenance of fine art works and artifacts, intake and preparation, packing and shipping, and exhibition installation and dismantling.”
Museums
An art handler working for a museum is responsible for installing art in permanent exhibits, as well as setting up temporary and traveling exhibits. Additionally, art which is displayed outside of the museum in such an exhibition must be packaged and unpackaged for each installation. The art must be loaded, transported and unloaded in such a way that it arrives undamaged at each new location.
Art Galleries
Although artists are often able to deliver their own artwork to a fine art gallery, an artist living at a distance must trust his art to a company which ships fine art. Once the art has been delivered to the gallery, it must be unpackaged and hung properly. When a piece of art is sold and the collector is unable to transport the piece herself, safe, reliable packing and shipping become necessary.
College Courses
A thorough art education includes a course, or at the very least a portion of a course, devoted to the proper care and handling of fine art. A person interested in a career as an art handler who is not pursuing a degree in art should at least take a few studio art courses to become familiar with the materials. He should seek out a faculty adviser for assistance in selecting which course or courses would be most helpful.
Professionals
