Even the experts

are sometimes surprised by the effects of sun damage. Donald Erlichman,

international sales manager for McCook, Ill.-based Tru Vue, a company

that specializes in conservation-grade framing products, tells this story:

"On a trip to New Orleans I bought a set of 16 colorful recipe cards

and had them framed in colors to match the cards. I hung them on a wall

with a southwestern exposure. One morning, years later, I noticed that

the frames no longer matched the cards -- the vibrant reds, oranges and

greens in the cards had completely washed out. Lesson learned."

Ultra violet

light is present in every light source found in your home and office:

skylights, unshaded windows, even fluorescent and halogen bulbs. Once

damage from UV light has occurred, it can never be reversed. But there

are some simple, cost effective steps you can take to prevent UV light

damage from destroying your framed artwork.

Danata Donnerson,

marketing communications manager for Tru Vue offers these tips for conserving

your precious memories:

Consult with

a knowledgeable custom framer. A professional framer has the skills and

training to guide you in selecting the proper framing materials for your

particular project. This means helping you choose the right colors, the

right frame style, and most importantly, the right materials to protect

your art, photo or memorabilia. The more he or she knows about your project,

the better they are able to use materials that will ensure your enjoyment

of it for years to come.

Opt for a

higher quality art board to protect your framed piece. Artboard that is

not rated as conservation quality contains elements that will damage your

artwork over time. These "natural" substances include acids

and lignins (which make paper and fabric brittle). Through the aging process,

which is intensified by sunlight and heat, the artboard "burns"

or discolors the art that it surrounds.

Protect your

framed memories with conservation glass. Glass serves as a barrier between

artwork and dust, moisture and other elements. Using specialty glass,

such as Tru Vue's TruGuard UV Protection Conservation Series Glass, protects

against harmful light rays and can also enhance the presentation of the

framed artwork by lowering or completely omitting reflection and glare.

"This glass effectively blocks out a minimum of 97 percent of all

harmful UV rays," said Donnerson.

Use proper

lighting techniques when hanging your artwork. Choose subdued lighting

effects that will not reflect into the glass. Also try adding a sense

of atmosphere by using wall lights or sconces on either side of your framed

piece. You can also try adding individual picture lights for more emphasis

on the artwork, but remember to illuminate your art at the lowest level

possible for long-term enjoyment.

Avoid direct

sunlight. When possible, try not to hang your valuable artwork in direct

sunlight. Even with protective UV-blocking glass, prolonged exposure to

the sun's heat can destroy your art. Proper care and framing of your precious

(and often irreplaceable) memories, photos and works of art means you'll

be able to enjoy them for years to come. And when you're ready, you can

hand them down to future generations as well.

Ask your custom

framer for more information about conservation framing and Tru Vue conservation

quality mats and glass.

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