Museum Framing Training

Huge Phibbs class on correct museum framing techniques

On sunday we had the opportunity to take a class that was taught by Huge Phibbs on museum mounting techniques, and the correct components of a properly framed artwork. This class was taught over at the Michigan League on the University of Michigan’s campus. The building was amazing, and luckily the class was on sunday, so I could find a place to park.

The hallway outside our classroom.

Mr Phibbs was a lead conservator for 45 years at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. He taught us about all the common (and uncommon) mistakes that he has seen, and how not to make them. He traveled the world and was responsible to insure the preservation of our nations most valuable artwork. In the 8 hours of class he covered so many topics, but the two most important were on the correct way to mount important art work, and the correct components of a properly framed art work.

Samples of properly framed items.

The one thing that I noticed as I looked through the people taking the class, was that I was the only picture framer from South-West Michigan. We had people drive 9 hours from the UP of Michigan to take this class, but I was the only frame shop from this side of the state. We repair a lot of improperly framed items (we currently have 23 pieces we are repairing right now), and I’m amazed at the mistakes other frame shops have made. Sometimes its just the wrong materials, and sometimes its more complicated, like improper mounting techniques. I can understand the craft stores not attending, but no other independent frame shops? From what I have seen, many of them could use the training. In fact, in the 20 years I have been taking classes (about 2 per year) I have rarely seen another SW Michigan frame shop at any of these classes. Sad…