3/14/2026

Is it ok for the curator of the gallery to frame your matted print without asking first?

I had this happen to me. She was going to pair it with 3 other artist pieces in the same colors. They all did look good together. I will give her that.

I think (but am not positive) that she threw out the protective sleeve that my print was in as well. the worst part is that the frame is just the smallest bit too big for the mat, and raw edges are seen on either side of the finished framed piece. I allowed it, but I wasn't happy. Now, she's requesting that I take the framed print home because it hasn't sold. I have asked her to take it out of her frame, put it back into it's protected sleeve, and put it back with my other prints. Is this fair, or should I just take it home and sell it elsewhere.

How should she have handled it better? How should I have handled it better?

4 Kommentare

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Wendell MyersHuman-Made ArtMar 15, 2026

I think it's ok for her to frame it without your permission. I DON'T think it's OK for her to frame it in a less than professional manner, i.e. a poorly-fitting frame as you describe. I think it's OK for her to discard the "protective sleeve" or "show bag," they are easy to obtain and not expensive. However, I also think she should replace it before returning the print to you. So, absolutely nothing wrong in my opinion with asking her to remove it from the frame and return it to you in a show bag.

Michele Guzman ArtHuman-Made ArtMar 15, 2026

Thank you for your insight! I also think she should return it to me in the condition I brought it in. Meaning in a show bag.

Linnie AikensHuman-Made ArtMar 15, 2026

Oh Michelle, that whole experience must have been painful for you. Actually, I am surprised that the gallery even accepted a matted print. From my experience, most galleries won't accept anything other than the original (unless it's a photograph of course), so that the gallery accepted the matted print is a testament to how much they liked it or thought it would sell. Every gallery I've been in required artwork to be framed and wired, ready to hang (no sawtooth hangers). So, perhaps you might want to take home your print, matt and frame it in a way in which you can feel proud, and try again elsewhere. Sometimes learning experiences can be hard-won but beneficial in the end.

Another thing I've learned from showing in galleries where you only submit 3-5 pieces, is to choose works that all seem to show well together, and hold out others for another show until you have a few more that would exhibit well next to each other. I think it shows the viewer a bigger glimpse into you as an artist, instead of one piece by itself. I make sure when I frame them, that the frames and artwork all together would make for a nice mini solo exhibit hung together, thus preventing the gallery from splitting them up. Also, be sure you let them know that it's important they are hung together in juried shows. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Michele Guzman ArtHuman-Made ArtMar 15, 2026

That does help. I will give a little background on the gallery. They fo allow prints. But only if the original is not hanging on the wall. Also our customer base hasn't historically been the type to buy art over about $250 in price. So we are encouraged to keep our art in those prices. But it is a newer gallery, so people don't know what to expect. The hanging art doesn't NEED to be framed, but it does need to be wired. As far as my own pieces that look good together, we have category rooms, landscape. Abstract, etc... then a common room. She hangs the art by that and colors, not by artist. Most of my pieces are religated to the common room. I've been pushed out of all rooms but the landscape.