Artist Emergency Kit
What is an artist emergency kit? A goodie bag of items that an artist will need to have for the multiple, sometimes mini, often drastic emergencies that can come up. Especially when the artist is away from home, away from their art studios, and at the art show or gallery space to drop off their art, only to find something isn't quite right with their artwork. (HORRORS!!)
Why You Need an Artist Kit
At every single art show that I've attended and volunteered to help with, while checking in the art on drop off day in preparation for an art show, there is usually one artist...often, more than one, where we find there is an issue with their artwork. Seriously, every-single-time.
An art show calls for specific things in their requirements. Occasionally, additional directions or reminders might come in the form of a final email before the drop off day from the gallery coordinators. Yet, art still arrives with no way to even hang it. No hardware, no wire, no D-Rings, wrong hanging materials for what the gallery's hanging system requires. You name it, we've probably seen it.
We've seen sides unfinished, saw-tooth hangers, and framing materials in which the artwork fell apart within the "mounting" that was attempted. It is to the point where not much surprises me any more...I say that cautiously, wondering WHAT will happen next. I know...I'm human too, but it is on my Art Show To-Do Checklist - BEFORE I Leave the House to look over my artwork. I should paint that on my front door.
Having an Artist Emergency Kit would help not only me, but potentially another artist for any just-in-case issues. Wait, the point is - YOU make your own!
Case in point. At a recent art check in day, an artist arrived with a large artwork and whomever prepped the artwork for the person, awkwardly used eye-hooks that would not have worked in that gallery. Meanwhile, another artist came in to drop off art while we were discussing the previous artist's dilemma. That second artist said, "Wait! I've got D-Rings in my car! I don't have wire because I used it already..." But that was perfect! Because the gallery did not hang the artwork from the wire, they hung it from the D-Ring.
Off to the car and a few minutes later, the second artist returned with a well-used case and opened it up. Inside were all sorts of knick-knacks that are tools of the trade for artists. The first artist gratefully borrowed the necessary tools and TA-DA! Artwork saved! (artist Asia Anderson is AWESOME!!)
At another gallery, we had an artist's spouse get angry with the art check-in crew (all volunteers, I might add) that WE did not PROVIDE the tools to FIX the artwork for his wife!
Another time, there was artwork that came in with unfinished sides - a little harder to fix but someone had acrylic black paint...See, why I always post this link - Display?
Oddly enough, I also see artwork come in that isn't even signed. That is something I just don't understand. See Signature
See why not much surprises me any more? My suggestion for this blog post is to organize your own Artist Emergency Kit, customized to suit your specific needs for what you do. And keep that baby in your car all the time! That's your just-in-case case, case in point.
What to Include in Your Kit
The artist could adjust this list for his or her needs of course, but in working at multiple art groups and art delivery (dropoff) and art pickup days, there are several items that are plain must haves.
- Hanging Supplies
- D-Rings - 1-, 2-, and 3-hole rings*
- Metal Offset Clips
- Picture Hanging Wire*
- Tools
- Ruler
- Small Level
- Screwdriver*
- Pliers
- Wire Cutter*
- Or a multi-tool or small tool kit
- Screws, nails
- Personal Use Items
- Tissues
- Eye glass cleaner/wipes - can be used to clean glass framed artwork
- Lip Balm
- Misc
- Push pins
- Red dots
- Permanent marker, Sharpie, and/or Pen*
- Blank Labels with Name, Title, Medium, Size, Price Lines*
- Blue Tape*
- Glue
*High-priority must have items
A smaller bag or tote of some sort may work for this kit. I've put together one small enough to go under the seat in my car.
Actually there is another type of kit that I suggest for artists to carry, and that is an Artist Go Kit. What I mean by that is an "Artist Go to the Show Kit". You cannot always depend on your art group or another artist for items necessarily - and its quicker if you have your own and know where everything is!
Artist Go Kit
This kit is more when the artist is attending and displaying at an art show. There are always things that you need extra of or to help tie down the tent from flying away.
Include in your Go Kit:
- Price Cards, Labels, Business Cards
- Red and Black Sharpie
- Tape, Twine, String, Wire, Duct Tape
- Scissors, Multi-Purpose Tool – screwdriver, hammer, pocketknife
- Pens, Rubber Bands
- Zip Ties, Clothespins, Curtain Hangers, Clothesline
- Notebook, Index Cards
- Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, Measuring Tape
- Bungee Cords, Bulldog Clips
- Battery Powered Lights
- Wet Wipes
- First Aid Kit, Ibuprofen, Chapstick (Hi Suzie! -old joke)
- Small folding Step Stool (collapsible)
- Small folding Chair (collapsible)
- Camera & Batteries
- Bags - for merch that sells and trash bags (great quick just-in-case rain covers)
- Chargers, Extension Cords
- Tablecloth
- Your own brochure or flyers for your upcoming events
- Snacks, Drinks, Water - for yourself plus some cash, even smaller bills in case your art show group has a lot of sales paid for with bigger bills. It HAS happened.
- Demo materials
For this kit, you might want to use a backpack or duffle bag.
So, what do you think of my kit lists? Will you be ready the next time? What would you add to your kit?
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This blog post was originally posted on the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog by Donna Liguria on June 11, 2025
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Author: Donna Liguria is the Blogmaster for Donna's Cave Paintings and the PWAS Artistry Spin Blog and an artist member of the Prince William Art Society (PWAS) in Woodbridge, VA. Donna specializes in acrylic paintings of landscapes, seascapes, historic locations, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com and her Donna's Esty site to shop her art.
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Do you need a handmade, original painting for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member? Yes, I do most commissions, so please contact me through this blog, on Facebook, My Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com, or go to Donna Liguria Art on Etsy at https://donnaliguriaart.etsy.com to shop my available Artwork.
