By Diana Saufley

Do you have a budding artist in your home?  It’s a hard job being a parent when your child beams with pride and hands you their creation and says, “Look what I made.”  First, you have to try and discern exactly what you are looking at without bruising their little ego when you don’t have a clue & guess incorrectly.  Then it is a challenge to find a way to display their prize without wallpapering a portion of your home.

As a mom, in my children’s early years I wanted to keep each piece of their creations because with each new piece you see how they are experiencing the world through their expression.  Of course sometimes you can be left guessing or horrified with their “art”.  But as time goes on you realize that you cannot possibly keep each piece especially when you have more than one child. 

There are several solutions to this dilemma that will make your child feel appreciated for their talent and will help you proudly display their art.  I have included three ideas for how to handle children’s art in your home but remember that these treasures can also be great gifts for grandparents, godparents and others that appreciate receiving handmade crafts of your children.

Multi-work Display

1. Scan artwork and resize to the chosen frame or mat size opening.   Print on quality paper or cardstock on your own printer.   Cut to fit frame or matting opening and tape in place on the back.
2. Arrange colors and subject matter in multi-openings to create interest.  Grouping either all pencil or color art with colors dispersed and with contrast to create variety.
3. Hang the multi-art for all to admire and possibly create a unique piece of art that you can truly say no one else owns.

Canvas or Frame Art

1. This one is a no brainer.  Hang up the canvas either in groups or individually.  Have your budding artist paint the edges so no frame is required or paint it yourself with a solid color that accents the art or in black to give the illusion of a frame.
2. In hanging groups of art, try to create a geometric shape with the pieces (square, rectangle, circle, or triangle) and the rule of odd numbers is eye appealing.
3. Frame their most well done art and hang it where they can see it.  Your pride in displaying it in your home will speak volumes to their self-esteem and encourage their creativity.   Create an art wall in their own room where they can see and be inspired by what they have done.

Refrigerator Art

1. Instead of trying to place every piece of art on the refrigerator, cluttering your kitchen and decreasing the perceived value of their talent, create a “memory photo”.
2. Gather groups of your child’s art in groups that are similar in subject or create abstract diversity.  Place them on the refrigerator with minimalistic magnets (clear or just small magnetic strips).
3. Place your child in front of the refrigerator arranged art and take their photo, preserving their age, appearance AND their art in the same photo.
4. Feel free to then toss the art pieces that are not likely to earn them Van Gough status.  Send the photo to family, post on a shared website of your photos, include in your Christmas cards and keep a copy for future reference or scrapbooking.  Repeat as new artwork is brought home keeping paper clutter at bay but childhood self-esteem and lasting memories for you and your child alive.