Finding away to display the art of a young artist can be a difficult process for most families. Maybe you've got a great system for saving the gems and tossing the rest but I've not found that method yet. I allow my kids to save or toss as they'd like, taping artwork all over the walls and windows where they see fit. My oldest is especially prolific. She even keeps a roll of tape in her room so she can tape things everywhere. She just turned 7 and for her birthday I gave her a little room makeover and included a fun art display wall. Something that looks fun and allows for creativity without looking crazy and cluttered.
Here is the room before:
Does this girl have food on the brain or what? Fortunately, the room isn't all food art. She has lovely things hanging all over the ceiling too.
Needless to say, this girl needed a gallery wall for her masterpieces. So here it is, the new improved gallery wall:
I had three criteria for the art wall. First, it had to be safe. She doesn't need heavy frames falling on her in an earthquake and glass was out of the question. Second, it had to be easy for her to change the artwork. Third, it had to look good. I think this fits all three.
This is so simple, you'll wonder why you never thought of this. The frames are foam board. Yep, foam board. I bought 4 large pieces of foam board for a couple dollars a piece, cut them and spray painted them then glued on little clothes pins. Simple.
Detailed instructions:
- Make a paper template for the shape you'd like then trace that shape on your foam board
. - Use an x-acto knife
over a self-healing cutting mat
to cut your shape. Use a sharp blade and go slow. I cut out all 10 of these shapes and my wrists were pretty sore so maybe take a break in the middle. - Spray paint the front and edges of each board. Or use them white if you'd like. This would still look great on a colored wall.
- Glue little clips or Mini Clothespin
on the boards. Use a good glue. A hot glue gun will likely not hold well enough over time. I used E-6000
. - Let the boards air out for a while before putting them in a child's room I aired them out for a couple weeks. Hang up with Removable Mounting Squares
.
Done! I can't wait to see how my little artist fills her gallery wall. Do you have an artist in your house who would appreciate a wall like this?
