All works submitted must be DRY, LABELED, and READY TO HANG or install.  It is each individual artist's responsibility to prepare their work to hang.  This is very important and this is why we created this guide. 

Installation and curatorial crews will not have time to prepare your work to hang.  They will be busy curating, installing wall panels & lighting, hanging the work, and eating pizza (the special treat for installation crew).

Plus, this is a great time for you to learn how to prepare your work for hanging, especially to reduce the risk of being damaged.  

Our golden rule is that the work must "hang from one nail or screw".  This is to ensure proper preparation of work and to avoid submission of diptychs, triptychs, etc. into a one-piece-per-artist exhibit.  Heavy work, of course, may need more than one screw to hang from and this is fine.  
If you are submitting work made up of more than one panel, you will need to mount those panels together somehow before drop-off. 

Please let us know ahead of time if you are submitting a piece that will require special attention (electricity, special lighting, unusual installation).  With work that requires unusual installation, we anticipate the artist helping out with or completing the installation of their work.  

WHY WHY WHY???

We're not mean.  There are many good reasons for requiring that work needs to be ready to hang.  Here are just a few.

1. ease of hanging for installation crews

2. to protect your work

3. to give you an opportunity to learn how to properly prepare your work for hanging

4. it's the nice thing to do for your fellow artist volunteers

If you need help with figuring out how to prepare your work, email us.  
info@untitlednashville.org

WORKS ACCEPTED

FLAT WORKS:
We recommend that flat works such as drawings, prints, collages, and photographs be matted and framed.  This makes it easier to prepare for hanging.  Framed work will need to have a wire on the back.

Presentation is up to you, however, it is encouraged that each artist presents their work in a professional manner.

CANVAS WORKS:
Paintings and work on stretchers should have D-rings or eye screws with hanging wire on the back. See below for examples.
 
Suggestions: These works do not need to be framed if canvas is presentable.  If the canvas has staples on the side, it is more presentable with a frame.  For best presentation of unframed canvas, it is a good idea to use gallery wrapped stretched canvas with painted sides.   

TRIPTYCHS, ETC.
If you are planning to submit a multi-paneled piece, it will need to be mounted together like it is one piece.  We do not accept diptychs, triptychs, etc. unless they are mounted together.

ALSO!  Please keep in mind that Untitled will only process one sale per artist.

3D / SCULPTURAL WORKS:
Untitled provides pedestals for sculptures and small 3D pieces.  Large pieces may be installed by placing onto the floor.  We have a limited number of pedestals so please contact us about the size and requirements of your work before registration and drop-off.  3-D wall or ceiling pieces should have a hanging system in place that will support the weight of the piece.  There are lots of things available to use at the hardware store.  Please be prepared to provide a hanging system for extremely heavy work. 

You will likely be expected to install your own work on installation day or make arrangements with crews for other options.  

Hanging works:
Please be aware that hanging or ceiling pieces may not be appropriate for certain venues.  (We often cannot hang from a ceiling)

VIDEO/AUDIO/COMPUTER WORKS:
Untitled accepts video, audio, and computer related pieces, etc.   However, please contact us early before registration and drop-off to discuss your piece and how it will be installed.  Installation and curatorial crews will need to know the size of your work and the equipment requirements.  You are expected to install your own work on installation day or make arrangements with installation/curatorial crews for other options.

PERFORMANCE ART:
Untitled accepts performance art.  If you are planning a performance piece please contact us early to discuss the work and placement in venue.  Since Untitled shows are in various venues, it may depend on the venue as to whether or not a performance piece would work for that show.  Please understand that this is a consequence of showing in non-traditional spaces.

ANYTHING ELSE?
If you're planning to submit something unusual that is not covered here, contact us.

PREPARING YOUR WORK TO HANG

FOR VERY HEAVY WORK.  You may want to consider providing something like Floreat Hangers: http://www.dickblick.com/zz189/02/ 
Heavy work should have a hanging system in place that will support the weight of the piece.  There are lots of things available to use at the hardware store.  Please be prepared to provide a hanging system for extremely heavy work.     

HOW TO USE WIRE and EYE SCREWS/D-RINGS

For most work, eye screws are acceptable for stringing wire.  If your work is large and/or heavy you should use D-RINGS. These come in various sizes.  Use a size appropriate to the size of your work.

Hanging wire should be sturdy enough to hold your work.  For heavy work, use thicker-gauged hanging wire.  

These supplies can be found at any home improvement or hardware store. 

WIRING YOUR WORK  
(see examples in photos below) 

On the back of the frame, hanging wire should be positioned a third of the way down from the top of the frame. Position two D-rings or eye screws opposite each other, and then thread your wire through.  
Wrap the wire around and over itself at the ends to make a secure closure. (see photos below) As a rule, the hanging wire shouldn’t be visible once the picture is hung. Therefore, always check the position of the frame on the wall before pulling the wire taut. 

If you're using D-rings, please thread a wire through them.  It is very difficult to hang a piece by 2 rings and position it perfectly, and a wire will also make it hang more securely.

EXAMPLES OF D-RINGS 
& EYE SCREWS  
(available at any hardware, home improvement, or department store)

eye screws

D-rings

TEST how ready-to-hang your work is by trying to hang it yourself.

Ask yourself these questions:

- Does my piece have a wire to hang from? 

- Is it easy to hang on one screw? 

- If someone bumps into the wall, will it likely fall off?

- Is it easy to hang level and straight?

- Does it lean out from the wall too far?  (try adjusting the position of the rings or screws or the tautness of the wire)

Please remember that we do not hang on stationary walls at venues.  We bring our own wall panels.  People may bump into them.
Your work may hang fine in your living room or somewhere else without wire, but it might not work for an Untitled show.  It might fall down and get hurt.

NOT READY TO HANG

CLICK IMAGES FOR LARGER PHOTOS