Memphis College of Art
Artwork Display Guidelines for BFA shows
General Gallery information:

There is only one corner in the gallery. Use of this space will be awarded to work that
necessitates it conceptually. If you think you may want to use this space, please contact
Melissa Farris (first come, first considered).

Students may not hang artwork from the ceiling except for very light objects from
specialty light fixtures. There are a limited number of these fixtures. Contact Melissa
Farris to reserve (first come, first serve).

Gallery ceilings are between 12ft and 13ft.

There is a border at the base of all gallery walls that juts out…plan accordingly if your
work extends to the floor.

Different walls have different load bearing capacity (i.e. the two back walls on the side of
the security desk are false and cannot hold heavy objects).

There are plug and electricity limitations. All electricity needs should be indicated in
proposals.

Placing artwork on the staircases landing is possible, but use is limited (i.e. cannot
impede traffic or normal function, work cannot be dangerous for pedestrians, etc).
Conceptual need is very important when determining the use of this space (first come,
first considered).
Artwork Limitations:

Artwork cannot exceed 4ft (48 inches) wide including space between diptych pieces, etc.

No collaboration work is allowed.

None of the following supplies, materials, objects, and/or processes may be include in the
production or exhibition of Artwork for MCA’s BFA shows.
- Animals (dead or alive), animal by-products, bodily parts or fluids
- Decaying materials (or materials that may decay), animal or vegetable
- Disfigurement of human bodies (piercing, tattoos, branding, scarification, etc)
- Objects or materials of potential hazardous nature (i.e. petroleum derivatives,
out-gassing plastics, chemical solvents)
- Unprotected sharp edges or points (i.e. glass, needles, etc)

If your artwork has a sound component it must be contained with the use of headphones.

Artwork that comes onto the floor must be approved via the proposal process. In general,
what comes out onto the floor cannot impede foot traffic or be hazardous to pedestrians.
Likewise, this work cannot impede the viewing of other artwork displayed in the gallery.
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
Wall hung pieces can only extend off the wall to a certain depth to insure stability. If your
wall-hung piece exceeds the depth of 4 inches please include the planned depth of your
piece and your plans to safely mount your work to the wall in your proposal for approval
by the Coordinator of Exhibitions and Lectures and the BFA Committee.

Projection work is possible but realize this type of work is very hard to view during the
day due the amount of windows present in the gallery.

Installation work is acceptable but space is very limited. The BFA Committee, via the
proposal process must approve your idea. You may be asked to alter or change certain
aspects of your idea to meet gallery standards. Your advisor will work with you prior to
the installation date to ensure your piece meets conceptual, aesthetic, and gallery
guidelines.
Artwork Hanging Limitations:

French cleats are only required for 2D works exceeding 3ft (36 inches) in length or height
and/or pieces weighing more then 5lbs. Please refer to BFA calendar for the French
Cleat Workshop with Kenny Houk.

All 2D work measuring between 2ft (24inches) and 3 ft (36 inches) wide must hang from
two D-Rings (this method does not utilize braided picture hanging wire).

All 2D work measuring under 2 ft (24inches) wide must string braided picture hanging
wire from two D-Rings. Upon installation please hang this type of work from two nails
spaced about 4 inches apart, at the same height to ensure your piece will stay level
throughout the duration of the exhibition.

No poster frames allowed.

Only design related projects are allowed to display imagery mounted on foam board as
the final step before presentation.

Photographers may mount their work on foam board but it must be affixed to the top of a
wood frame and hung like a traditional canvas or situated within a frame.

Velcro cannot be used on gallery walls.

Unframed paper pieces will only be allowed if concept requires this aesthetic (see
methods for hanging this type of work below).
Approved methods to display artwork in Memphis College of Art’s
BFA shows:
*If you find that none of the methods suggested below are appropriate for your proposed work or
have questions about which would be the best method, please contact MCA’s Coordinator of
Exhibitions and Lectures, Melissa Farris, or your advisor for assistance.
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Canvas and Framed 2D works:
 D-rings (sometimes called Mirror hooks) allow the
artwork to hang close to the wall:
- Secure D-rings to the inside of framed work
using screws to either add braided picture
D-Rings
hanging wire or hang work directly from two
(2)
D-rings. *You should become intimately familiar with this method, as it is a
standard in most commercial galleries and museums.

Determining the placement of D-Rings on the back of your piece:

To attach braided picture hanging wire to your work measuring under 2 ft (24 inches)
wide:
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiM2iHPAiLI

French Cleats:
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- You may use Z-Bar or make your own cleat system using wood. Check with
local framing stores to obtain Z-Bar or order it online. If you choose to make your
own cleats please refer to the BFA calendar to attend the French Cleat Workshop
with Kenny Houk.
(Z-Bar Method)
Hanging naked artwork (aka unframed paper pieces):
 Magnets:
-To avoid damage, poking holes into, or otherwise mangling
paper use Neodymium magnets (aka Earth Magnets) to
sandwich the paper between the magnet and the flat head of
screw or nail. Things to consider:
- Use screws or nails with a big head, the more steel
is for the magnet to attract to, the stronger the hold.
- Use steel screws or nails. Some types of stainless
screws aren't attracted to magnets.
- Choose a magnet that has a diameter about the same
as the screw head. Larger magnets won't provide any
holding strength.
(Wood Method)
your
a
there
steel
size
more
- You can find Neodymium magnets at hardware stores but the best source for the
widest variety of sizes is on the web. A couple of these web sources are
http://www.magnet4less.com/ or http://www.kjmagnetics.com/ or
http://magnart.com/
Wall Mounted Artwork on Foam Board (for design related artwork only):
 Hang artwork measuring under 2ft (24 inches) wide from two (2) metal sawtooth foam
board hangers (this method does not utilize braided picture hanging wire). Artwork this
size may also utilize a cleat system.
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(Metal Sawtooth Foam Board Hangers)

Hang artwork measuring over 2 ft (24inches) wide from a French Cleat system. Adhere
one side of the cleat system to the back of the artwork using an epoxy that is appropriate
for the type of materials you are using.
Reserving Pedestal and IT Equipment:

MCA maintains an inventory of pedestals, vitrines, and plinths that are available for
student use during the BFA shows and can be reserved by emailing Melissa Farris.
Please refer to BFA calendar for the Pedestal Reservation deadline. If you miss this
deadline, you will be responsible for making one that meets the professional
requirements set forth by the Coordinator of Exhibitions and Lectures.

If you need digital equipment, you may request it from Jeff Davidson
(jdavidson@mca.edu). The amount of this equipment for the BFA shows is limited and
subject to use by the school. If in doubt or unable to borrow, be prepared to provide your
own. There is no insurance coverage for your art or digital property while on display in
MCA galleries.
The coordinator of Exhibitions and Lectures (Melissa Ferris) reserves the
right to not except any artwork that does not meet gallery standards and/or
deviates from the originally proposed work on installation day and will not
be included in the current BFA Show.
Contact information for Melissa Farris (Coordinator of Exhibitions and Lectures):
Office: Nessin Building, room 208
Phone: 901.272.5199 (office) or 901.574.2586 (mobile)
Email: mfarris@mca.edu
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