Guide to Art Displays with Lighting Options

Guide to Art Displays with Lighting Options

Posted by Seth Braverman on

Your art collection deserves to be seen at any time of day. Every intentioned detail of it. How do we make that happen? Let us shed some light on the situation.

 

Types of Lighting

Ambient light

Black laminate pedestal with ambient top displaying abstract iron sculpture
 

White satin laminate pedestal with ambient light top

 

Ambient-lit displays offer a broad, soft illumination enveloping your artwork. This expansive light source diffuses softly, casting gentle shadows, and enhancing the overall presence of your pieces.

In comparison, a more focused light source, like our spot or corner lights below, will create more pronounced shadows with contrasting areas of light and dark.

 

Spotlight

Blue glass sculpture displayed with spotlight pedestal  

Spotlight set on bamboo display pedestal

Spotlights focus a beam through a variable-diameter hole in the pedestal’s top surface, covered by a frosted acrylic disk. This feature fills and illuminates your glass or semi-opaque art piece, making it ideal for pieces with color and nuance. Explore our customizable spotlight pedestals with different aperture sizes and LED colors for a tailored illumination experience.

Although the standard light aperture is 3”diameter, we offer an array of customization. Learn more about how we can customize your lighted display today!

 

Corner Lights

Vase with corner lights on black laminate pedestal

Corner swivel lights are small, round, adjustable spotlights that create spectacular drama by highlighting the piece’s natural contours. Our corner lights are available with small (2" diameter) or large (3.25" diameter) bezels to best suit the size of the display. The large lights come in a color-changing and temperature-changing option with remote control dimmer.

 

Depending on the height of your piece, you’ll want to make sure you provide enough top surface display space to achieve the proper angle. If you have questions, give us a call and we can help design and discover the custom option to best display your art.

 

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Overhead Lights

    
Klingit mask showcased with overhead light
 
Color controlled overhead light on glass vase

For museum and gallery quality lighting in a small package, we recommend our overhead lighting option. These telescoping, stainless steel rods integrate seamlessly out of the pedestal top and cradle a rotating, 7.5 watts LED bulb that illuminates your piece from above for a heavenly glow.  While the rods come in 36” or 60” lengths, they can be adjusted down to any height using the retractable, telescoping feature.

 

For customers who already have their pedestal at home, an overhead light kit can be ordered and easily retrofit into your existing display. Check out the video for further installation instruction.

 

 

Showcase Light

 
Modern display case at Soutwest Airlines commemorative exhibit

This is the ultimate light package to showcase and protect your art. Our display case comes fully integrated with an acrylic dust cover and down-lighting installed in the overhead hood. For additional lighting effects, we can customize your case with bottom lighting, including an ambient-lit base, corner lights and spotlights. This combination of top and bottom lighting creates an attractive balance and plays well with the translucent dust cover.

Lighted Acrylic White Pedestal

Sign white lighted pedestals

Capture anyone’s attention with the magnetizing glow of our White Acrylic Lighted Pedestals. A vertical, low voltage LED system distributes light evenly, controlled by a remote distributes light evenly across the surface of the pedestal. Controlled by a remote control, you can fine tune the coloring and brightness to whatever best fits the situation.

Sleeve with Ambient Light

For a particularly unique way to bring your piece to light, our translucent, acrylic sleeves with ambient light is an excellent choice. Think our ambient top pedestals sheathed in a translucent sleeve for an intriguing glow effect.

 

Sign white acrylic lighted pedestals

What Kind of Bulbs to Choose?

Choosing the right bulb is crucial. There’s more to this lighting thing than you probably want to know — but of particular importance is the bulb.  It’s the heart of your lighted pedestal and can give off all the right feels... or all the wrong ones.

Types of Bulbs for Pedestal Displays

There are three major decisions to keep in mind when choosing your bulb: type, power and warmth. The default bulb that will come with your lighting system is a color and temperature changing LED bulb.  For safety purposes, DO NOT use incandescent bulbs. This could burn your house down! And it won’t be nearly as cool as David Byrne makes it sound.

 

Our standard ambient and spotlight pedestals come standard with LED bulbs. Our large bezel corner, overhead and display case lights come standard with MR-16 LED bulbs. If you have a particular lighting need we can likely make it happen— just give us a call!

 

LET'S CHAT

 

We recommend using LED bulbs in our lighted products. LEDs have an average lifespan of about 25,000 hours, 15,000 more hours than a typical CFL! If you are using CFL bulbs, we recommend 14-25 watts. DO NOT use bulbs more than 25 watts in strength! Again, this could burn your house down.

Tone/Warmth

Bulbs can produce a range of temperatures and dramatically change the “feel” of your piece in the room. Many of our products come standard with neutral light temperature — if you have a preference for warm or cool, please give us a call and let us know!

 

LET'S CHAT

 

Remotes, Foot Switches and Cords

We have three standard options for turning up the lights on your pedestal: remote, foot switch, or side switch.

 

For discreet control, consider a switch on the backside, available in white or black. Some lighting options feature remote control, enabling adjustments within a 20-meter radius.

Foot Switch

Our foot switch, typically used in ambient and spotlight pedestals, is available in clear, black, brown, and white cords, offering ease of operation. Our bulbs that come standard in ambient and spotlight pedestals are typically turned on and off using a foot switch, connected by a cord to your pedestal.

 

Cords come standard in clear, but we also offer black, brown and white cords. Just let us know you’d like a different color when you order, each pedestal is built-to-order.

Side Switch

For something a bit more discrete and convenient, we can install a switch on the backside of your pedestal. You can choose black or white side switches to match your lighted display.

 

Available side switch for discrete on/off of any installed light

Remote

Most lighting options include a remote control — you can adjust the color, temperature, or brightness of your lighting within a 20-meter radius using the AAA battery-powered remote. Not all of our pedestals or lighting options can be outfitted with adjustable bulbs, so if you have any doubts or need clarification, please call us!

 

LET'S CHAT

 

Remote control

 

Why Use Lighting for Art Displays?

Lighting enhances visibility, sets the atmosphere, and draws attention to specific pieces. Consider lighting for:

  1. Reveal the Details: Lighting uncovers the intricacies of your artwork, bringing out the textures and nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed.
  2. Set the Tone: Create the right atmosphere for your art with strategic lighting. Whether it's highlighting the vibrancy of a piece or setting a mood, lighting sets the stage for an immersive viewing experience.
  3. Ensure Visibility: Whether it's day or night, lighting ensures that your art is seen and appreciated by all. It eliminates shadows and highlights key features, making your display stand out.
  4. Encourage Interaction: Lighting invites viewers to engage with your art on a deeper level. By playing with light and shadow, you encourage exploration and interaction, enriching the viewing experience.
  5. Transform the Ordinary: With the right lighting, even the simplest of displays can become captivating. Lighting has the power to elevate your art from ordinary to extraordinary, making it truly shine.

Lighting isn't just about making art visible; it's about enhancing its impact and creating a memorable experience for viewers.

Ready to Illuminate Your Art Collection?

Transform your art display with our range of lighting options. Whether you're looking to highlight specific pieces, create a captivating ambiance, or enhance visibility, we have the perfect solution for you.

 

SHOP LIGHTED ART  PEDESTALS

Contact Us Today to Explore Our Lighting Options!

Give us a call at 800-333-9953 or fill out our contact form to discuss your lighting needs and find the perfect solution for showcasing your artwork.

 

Don't let your art collection go unnoticed. Illuminate it with our expert lighting solutions.

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