TINY ART SHOW 

By Mckay Lenker Bayer

Learn to make frames and hang a miniature art show! 

 

In this DIY, I will show you how to create tiny art, frame it in simple wooden frames, and install your artwork at an appropriate height to be viewed by tiny gallery visitors. 

Tiny Art Show  is a community art project that installs miniature art galleries in unexpected places. I love artwork that engages communities and adds a sense of wonder. For this activity, I thought it would be fun to teach you to create your own tiny art shows from home in a simple and affordable way!  


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Gather Your Materials

Create your tiny art!

 

Cut out some paper into tiny rectangles and make your art. Remember to make your artwork proportional to your tiny spectators! Use any medium you like- we love using watercolor paints, markers, or felt tip pens! 

 

 

Cut out some paper into tiny rectangles and make your art. Remember to make your artwork proportional to your tiny spectators! Use any medium you like- we love using watercolor paints, markers, or pens

Using your preferred medium, create your work! 3-6 pieces is a good amount. Remember to leave a lip, about ⅛ inch, around the entire edge of your work for when you frame it. 

 Need some inspiration of what to make? Try painting a watermelon, making a collage, or drawing with paint markers!

Make Miniature Frames

Cut two coffee stirrers the length of your artwork (not including the lip) on parallel sides. 

Cut coffee stirrer pieces for the other parallel sides. They should fit snugly with the pieces already cut

Check to make sure the pieces fit together well with no gaps or overhang and glue them down!

Frame all your pieces. They are beautiful!

Hang Up Your  Art Show

 

Choose a location! Get creative with where you put your show. On a bookshelf, in a cubby, etc. Attach a small ball of blu tack to the back of each piece and then attach it to the wall! 

Artwork is usually hung with the middle of the work at the viewer’s eye line, so keep that in mind when deciding how high to hang in relation to your tiny spectator!

Add Other Tiny Elements

 

 

Set up your tiny spectators and any other fun mini-elements you’d like! Some ideas include a tiny rug, tiny lights, tiny stanchions, tiny booklets, etc.

If you would like to learn more about Tiny Art Show check out my interview with Jenny Lemons here, and make sure to follow us on Instagram @tinyartshow

McKay Lenker Bayer

Miniature enthusiast, community artist, teacher, and dog mom based in Provo, UT. 

 

Comments

Jennifer Houser said:

Hi there! This is so awesome. Any tips for hanging these outside. I work in an elementary school and was hoping to put some out on our curb area.
Thanks!

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