Art and picture framing: Protecting your pieces in Toowoomba’s variable climate

In Toowoomba, we’re blessed to be part of a vibrant art community and an environment that encourages creativity. Our variable climate also brings quiet challenges, especially when it comes to art and the picture framing that often surrounds it. Preserving the pieces that our clients and collectors treasure requires thoughtful protection against seasonal shifts, humidity, and dust—all of which can quietly compromise the integrity of framed artwork over time. 

With warm summers that alternate between humidity and prolonged dry spells—with the latter often stirring up agricultural dust—and crisp winters that vary in moisture levels, our region experiences transitions that can accelerate artwork and collectibles degradation. Without proper protection, artworks may be vulnerable to warping, fading, and mould growth over time. 

At ARTSHOP, we approach these challenges with a blend of conservation science and thoughtful design. Our techniques are grounded in research and refined through decades of hands-on experience—trusted by collectors who value both the beauty, sentiment and longevity of their pieces. Whether you are framing a work of original art, a family heirloom, a contemporary print, or a treasured photograph, conservation-grade care ensures your piece remains safe and enduring. 

Surface Cleaning 

Dust in Toowoomba accumulates and settles on artwork and collectibles, especially during dry spells. If left undisturbed, this dust can embed into artwork fibres and, in humid conditions, contribute to a situation where mould may develop. Regular surface cleaning with a soft, dry cloth helps prevent this buildup. We recommend avoiding moisture-based cleaners unless advised by your ARTSHOP consultant or another professional conservator. A consistent cleaning routine is one of the simplest ways to honour and protect your framed pieces. 

Airflow and Placement 

Where your artwork lives, matters. Poor air circulation, combined with inappropriately high levels of Relative Humidity (RH) can trap moisture behind glass within the frame, especially with artworks positioned in room corners or rooms with limited ventilation. We encourage our clients to avoid placing pieces near kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry areas, wherever possible. Instead, choose well-ventilated spaces with stable environmental conditions. The positive effects of a dehumidifier or air purifier can help regulate the environment and safeguard your collection, regardless of your home type. 

UV Protection 

Toowoomba’s bright skies bring high UV exposure, which can fade pigments, yellow and embrittle paper and other substrates, and degrade adhesives over time. Even indirect sunlight can cause damage—especially to works on paper, textiles, and photographs. That’s why UV protection is a key part of conservation framing. 

At ARTSHOP, we use the TruVue range of UV-protective glazing, which block up to 99% of UV rays. TruVue’s Museum Glass, for example, offer zero-reflection, 99% UV filtering and exceptional optical clarity, making it a worthwhile upgrade for both preservation and presentation. By reducing exposure to harmful light, UV-filtering glazing helps slow deterioration and protect the vibrancy of your artwork for years to come. 

Mounting 

Mounting isn’t just about keeping art in place—it’s about honouring its material life. Pressure-sensitive adhesives may seem convenient, but they can stain and warp artworks, and cause the artwork to become brittle over time. Conservation hinging, by contrast, uses archival materials and reversible techniques that support the artwork without causing damage. 

Take this graphite portrait by Michael Armstrong, for example. It captures the strength, focus, and physicality of the human form, now framed for a local home gym where movement and motivation meet. The paper itself responds to its environment—warping and waving with shifts in temperature and humidity. That’s part of its life, too. Original works on paper should be hinge-mounted to allow this natural movement, with framing designed with adequate internal elevation to keep the artwork safely distanced from the glazing. 

Combined with naturally pH‑neutral mats, such as Bainbridge® Alphamat® Artcare™ Matboards, and backing boards that effectively shield against pollutants and acid by‑products that fade, discolor, and damage artwork, hinge mounting ensures your artwork is protected from both physical and chemical deterioration—preserving its integrity while allowing it to live and breathe. 

Conserving What Matters 

Every choice—from how a piece is framed to where it is displayed—plays a role in protecting artwork from the potentially harmful effects of Toowoomba’s changing climate. Museum-standard framing is not reserved for galleries alone—it is for any collector who values the stories behind their art and objects. At ARTSHOP Toowoomba, we specialise in conservation framing and restoration tailored to your home and your workplace, and to our region’s conditions. Our approach is grounded in conservation science and shaped by decades of experience. Whether you’re refreshing an old frame or preparing a new work for display, we are here to help you protect what matters—with care, clarity, and respect. 

To learn more about ARTSHOP’s custom picture framing, art and object conservation, and our full range of services, please reach out to our team here. 

Warm regards, 

Cherylyn Russell 

Director ARTSHOP 

Fine Custom Picture Framing & Artwork Restoration 

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia 

PS: The artwork featured above is an original oil on board of Tabletop Mountain in Toowoomba by Olga Garner‑Morris. First acquired at the Downlands Art Exhibition in 2014/2015, it was reframed in 2021 by ARTSHOP Toowoomba in Italian warm silver leaf with a hand‑coloured slip. Now housed in a climate‑controlled domestic environment and inspected and cleaned annually, it is carefully maintained to ensure its preservation and presentation for generations to come.