In our old building we attached panels covered with a fairly rough-weave
beige/tan fabric (not sisal) to the regular walls to form a new wall
surface. Although nail holes were invisible we found this solution
unsatisfactory for the following reasons:

1)  The divisions between the panels were distracting
2)  The fabric got dirty very quickly and could not be cleaned well
3)  Generations of installers could not remember how to make marks using
anything except pencil!  (hint--slip a straight pin behind the fabric to
mark dimensions or places to put nails)
4)  We couldn't accommodate artists who wanted to experiment with
installation methods or who do non-traditionally-framed 2-D work, for fear
of ruining the fabric.
5)  They couldn't accommodate anything heavy the way regular drywall with
plywood behind it could

In the end, when we moved into our new building we opted for wood and cement
floors (our old gallery had carpeted floors, don't get me started on the
problems with that) and regular drywall walls and we made darn sure we
trained our staff and volunteers on how to patch invisibly.  We only repaint
the entire walls once a year, opting for touch-up painting with each
exhibition change.  Some areas change as frequently as weekly; others change
about every 6-9 weeks.  We also try to do a massive sanding about once a
year when we paint the entire wall floor-to-ceiling.  After seven years the
walls still look very good.

Julia Muney Moore
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN  46220
(317) 255-2464 x233
FAX (317) 254-0486
email <[log in to unmask]>
website <http://www.indplsartcenter.org>


-----Original Message-----
From: Reynolds, Jennifer [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Self-healing gallery walls


Dear fellow-listers:

We have two galleries that are used for frequently changing exhibits of
artworks hung using screws, nails, and the like. At one point, the walls
were painted, but the frequency of exhibits made constant repainting
impractical (particularly since the galleries are also used as gathering
places and can't be closed for more than a day or two). We then covered the
walls with neutral gray carpeting. This solution has not been satisfactory
because of staining and spotting.

We would welcome any suggestions, recommendations, anecdotes, or cautions
about what we can do to create self-healing gallery walls that will continue
to look fresh.

Jennifer Reynolds
Media Specialist
San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: 909.798.5048
Fax: 909.748.7763
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web: www.sbcountymuseum.org

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