KWS National Exhibition 2010
November 19, 2010
~ January 2, 2011

Deadline for Entries:
August 2, 2010

Juror:
Janet Walsh

2010 Prospectus:
downloadable pdf

or send SASE to
Kansas Watercolor Society
Wichita Center for the Arts
9112 E. Central
Wichita, KS 67206

Here at Artworks, we have received countless works of art over the years via a variety of carriers. On balance, one shipper is not necessarily any better than another, for where one excels the other might fall short. With every KWS show that we handle, we can expect to receive 2 to 4 damaged packages caused by mishandling, regardless of carrier. Most of the art in these packages survive unharmed. However, some do not. We have seen forklift punctures, boot prints, tire tracks, grease spots, oil spills, and water damage; all on packages clearly marked “Fragile”.

If the art has to fly the skies, it will first ride a conveyor belt into the belly of the plane. If it survives without plummeting to the tarmac it will be grabbed by a handler and flung (literally) into the baggage compartment where everything else will be stacked on top of it. The baggage handler will not “handle with care”, “stack on end” or pay any attention to the “this end up” neatly printed in magic marker on your package. The handlers do not have the time or the inclination to give your art
the kind of TLC that we in the field believe it deserves. Therefore, here are some tips that might help
your art arrive safely.

1. The Artwork
If you have entered your watercolor into multiple shows, please consider examining your piece closely before submitting to the KWS event.

Disassemble your piece and check your hinging. Hinging tapes get brittle with time and loosen with every shipment. The most common problem we encounter at Artworks is slipped hinges where the art is askew in the mat.

Check your frame. If the corners are loose, re-glue them and clamp if possible. Look for loose staples or areas where the plexi has popped out of the frame.

2. The Package
When you ship your artwork you should use the same care that you would if you were shipping an expensive piece of china.

The best method for shipping artwork is in a “strongbox”. These boxes are available with hard plastic liners and come fitted with convoluted foam on all sides. Strongboxes can be expensive but may be used over and over again making the initial investment very cost-effective.

The second best method is the plywood crate. These work well on small works. On large works, however, the shipping costs can be exorbitant.

The third method of packaging is the most common – the homemade box. We have never seen damaged art when shipped by the first and second methods. However, the homemade box lends itself to potential disaster. To avoid this, follow these rules:
     1. Reinforce your frame with cardboard corners.
     2. Wrap your art in multiple layers of bubble-wrap or foam.
     3. Sandwich the bubble-wrapped art in 2 layers of sturdy cardboard and secure with packing tape.
     4. Now make your box to fit this package. Do not make it too tight or too loose.

3. The Carrier
The most common carriers used for shipping artwork are UPS, Fed Ex Air, and Fed Ex Ground/Home. Each of these carriers base their fees on origin of package, destination, speed of delivery and, most importantly, size and weight of the package. The larger your piece, the more expensive it will be to ship. We have seen some artwork that cost as high $100.00 one-way. Inquire about shipping costs beforehand and, better yet, have your carrier supply a return shipping label and include it in your package. Knowing the return shipping costs beforehand will prevent unpleasant surprises later on.

4. Insurance and Claims
Should your art be damaged in transit, either to its destination or on its way back to you, here are a few things you must consider.
A claim must be initiated by the shipper of origin.
The carrier will require “proof” of value in the form of receipts, appraisals, or repair/ replacement quotes from “experts”. Frames and materials have established values that are relatively easy to authenticate. Your original work of art does not. If you have insured your art for $5,000.00 it is highly unlikely that the carrier will send you a check for that amount as your estimate of value is subjective. If your work has been appraised by a certified art appraiser prior to shipping, keep this document in a safe place. It is the only hope you have for compensation for damaged art. The same principle applies to damaged frames. The carrier will require a receipt proving the value of the frame. Failing that they will accept a replacement quote from a reputable frame shop. Without either, you will not be compensated.

In addition to the above, there is one more hurdle to jump before your carrier will make good on a claim. They (the carrier) will want to see the damage. A representative will be sent to inspect the package and the damaged contents. So, if you wish to file a claim, your art must remain in the package until inspected on a date specified by the carrier. If your package was hastily thrown together (not enough bubble wrap, unprotected corners, etc.) your claim will be denied on the basis of insufficient packaging.

It should be noted that both UPS and FedEx state in their guidelines that they “do not provide special handling for packages bearing ‘Fragile’, ‘Up’ arrows. ‘This End Up’, or any other similar such markings.”

In summary, take the time and make the effort to assure that the work you so artfully created reaches its destination intact. Following the above suggestions will help achieve that goal, but even then, things happen. When they do, we must all be patient and acknowledge that we have willingly entered a field where the “risk” of damage or loss is a given.