Displaying children’s artwork in the classroom can be a daunting task. Often classrooms are compact and already filled with posters, signs, and much more. Not only is finding suitable space tricky, but creating the actual display can in itself be problematic. This article outlines basic points, ideas, and concepts that are important to crafting an aesthetically pleasing and informative student artwork display.
Where to Begin: Finding Display Space
There are multiple options for display placement spaces in the classroom. Your specific choices will be guided by classroom shape, size, school policy, and previously hung posters/signs.
Bulletin Boards
Many classrooms already have bulletin boards hanging on the walls. These are of ten the easiest and most visible way to display student made artwork. Bulletin board displays allow for easy hanging and taking down of artwork, creating different themed backgrounds, and are generally at an eye level that is easy to see for both children and adults.
Wall Space
Hanging artwork on empty wall space is a great way to display flat, two dimensional pictures such as paintings or drawings. Options for hanging may include using masking tape loops on the back of the artwork, double sided clear tape, or even creating a more permanent display area using velcro. When hanging student made artwork on a wall, make sure that the pictures are down far enough to be in the child’s field of sight.
Storage Cabinets
Many parents love to hang their child’s art on the refrigerator with magnets. Translate this into classroom display ideas. Metal storage cabinets can be an excellent blank canvas for student artwork. Do take caution when using magnets. Make sure that the artwork and magnets are up high enough to be out of any child’s reach.
Other School Spaces
Try making the artwork visible to the entire school. Use shared hallway or entry way spaces to hang special projects and artwork.
Options in Constructing a Display
A student made artwork display can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. Some classrooms are fine with taping paintings up to the wall, while others enjoy a more complex form of display.
Ideas for decorative, themed, or highly crafted displays may include:
- Seasonal backgrounds: Have the children help to create a snowy scene or a summer sky on bulletin board that will display seasonal art.
- Art show displays: Create an art show in the classroom. Matte the children’s paintings or drawings on larger pieces of poster board before hanging. This will create a frame like effect. Add in name or label tags at the bottom of each artwork. These can include the child’s name, age, date of artwork creation, and the art medium used.
- Process creation display: Instead of only showing the finished product, create a display that includes the entire process from start to finish. Take photos of the children creating their art, and include these with the artwork display. Type a few paragraphs or points about what the children made, why this project is important, and the overall process. Glue or tape this to a piece of colorful paper or poster board and include it in the display. Additionally, you may want to attach a materials list and any other important items.
- Alphabetical display: This type of display is a letter lesson in itself. Ask the children to help you hang the art alphabetically by first letter of the first name. If two children have the same first letter, move to the second or third letters.
Displaying artwork in the classroom may be difficult and time consuming, but it is an important part of the child’s overall environment. Take the time to investigate different options for placement of the display and various themes or display concepts. These steps will make a difference in the way that children view their art and their art making.
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