Perhaps it’s time to move or it’s just time to clean out the old junk.  Maybe you just inherited a bunch of art you don’t want.  Eventually, everyone runs into the problem of having art they don’t want to display and don’t want cluttering up storage space.  Not sure what to do with something you’re not emotionally attached to?  That’s ok.  We’ve got some suggestions for you.

Try Dressing It Up Differently

You might be surprised at what a difference changing out a frame or mat will do to a piece of art you are tired of looking at.  It’s just like making over an outfit with a new accessory or two.  Sometimes, it’s all the difference you need to give something new life.

Get It Appraised

You might be surprised to find that some of your dad’s old paintings might actually be worth something to someone.  The art community is often willing to pay money for a quality piece no matter who the original artist is.  With an appraisal, you’ll know about how much to ask for each piece.

If you find you have something worth the effort, you might consider consigning the piece(s) to a local consignment shop or gallery.  They might find space for it and sell it for you in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.  Then you don’t have to worry about selling the piece(s) yourself.

If you manage to get some money out of the deal, in addition to space, you’re better off.  If you find out the art is worthless, you never have to wonder if you did something stupid by getting rid of it.

Try Selling It Online

I’m still amazed sometimes at what people will pay money for online.  Even if the art appraiser doesn’t feel that your old art has value in the art market, you might try the general consumer market to see if people will buy your art there.

If they do, you’re still better off than before with money in your pocket and space in your home.  If they don’t buy your art, you still have other options for what to do with the art.

With this option, you might pay some fees for selling the piece(s).  You’ll probably deal with time limits on listings.  You also rely upon outside sources (such as algorithms) to display your art to prospective buyers.  However, you do have a wider audience across the internet than you would in a consignment shop (unless they too use the internet).

Donate It

Yeah sure, a thrift store would work, but there are other and better options.  How about to an auction house?  They might like the added lot to sell.  Is there a local art school?  They might like to recycle the materials in your art.  Can you find something like a library book sale for art?  The proceeds of that sale would go back into your community.

Conclusion

Your old and unwanted artwork need not continue collecting dust in your home or end up in the trash.  There are uses you can put it to which will give it new life in addition to saving you and the landfill some much needed space.