Photograph It

Use a digital camera to photograph your child’s individual pieces of art. The best photos are created with the PhotoScan app, it removes glare and improves the quality of your scan.

Two dimensional art can be shot from above and three dimensional pieces can be photographed from the side. I turn off the flash to prevent glare, lay the art on a table or counter and zoom in so the piece fills the frame. I sometimes crop, enhance, or adjust sharpness then I put all the photos into a digital photo album. You can import your photos into any of the photo developing websites and choose “create album”. The art is sent to you in an album that looks very professional and takes up a lot less space than that art bin under the bed. You can create a new album at the end of every school year for each grade, or you can make your child’s art into calendars, greeting cards, travel mugs etc. through your favorite photo developing website.

Hang It

One of the most basic things you can do is to start a mini gallery now. As fresh pieces come home, take down older work that your child has grown less attached to. Try stringing a clothesline in your child’s bedroom or play room and hang art from clothespins. The installation is not permanent and the clothespin will not ruin the art.

Pile No. 1

To Be Framed

One of the best ways to show your child how proud you are of their art is to choose one or two pieces that they have created throughout the years and have them professionally framed like you would a piece of fine art. I have all the art for the Roosevelt permanent collection done at the Great Frame Up in Niles, owned by a district 64 parent. If you mention that the art is coming from the Roosevelt art program, she may give you a discount. Display the framed art prominently in a special place in your home.

Pile No. 2

To Be Preserved

Photograph the projects in the pile in and label with the child’s name and year. Save them on your computer or copy to a disk. When the last portfolio comes home at the end of the year, you may finish photographing, add the photos to the ones from first and second trimester, and order your photo album. You can usually choose a soft or hard cover.

Pile No. 3

To Be Mailed

Decide with your child whom to send the art to, like a grandparent, godparent, former babysitter, or special friend and address the mailing tube right away. Have your child write a message on the back to personalize the gift. The recipient will be thrilled to receive an original sample of your child’s work.