Understanding Fixtures and What Color Lights For Art Galleries

Table of Contents

Understanding Lighting in Art Galleries

Factors to Consider 

Why Should I Use LEDs in Art Galleries? 

Choosing Light Fixtures For The Gallery 

Closing

An art gallery's lighting influences the quality of the artwork and the visitor’s overall experience. If you’re planning on updating the lighting in your art gallery or looking for tips on highlighting artwork in your home, this article provides information and suggestions for the best lighting practices. All products recommended in this article are LEDs; LEDs are an excellent fit for art galleries due to their versatile fixtures, energy efficiency, adaptable features, and multiple other benefits. Keep reading to learn more. 

Understanding Lighting in Art Galleries

Understanding how light affects artwork will preserve the paintings and ensure visitors get the best viewing experience. Lighting affects various aspects of an art gallery: 

1. Traditional lighting technologies such as halogens, incandescents, and fluorescents can emit high UV rays, causing paintings to fade, break down, or distort. Damage caused by UV rays can be difficult to undo, and the artwork might never return to its original appearance. 

2. A high CCT or overly intense light can cause eye strain and reduce the time visitors spend at the gallery. 

3. Poor-quality lighting makes it difficult to see the artwork's colors accurately. 

These factors and some solutions are explained later in the article. 

Factors to Consider 

The most important factor in selecting the lighting for an art gallery is ensuring the artwork is highlighted appropriately. Selecting light fixtures and bulbs with a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) and an appropriate Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) will accentuate the colors and patterns of the painting and won't wash them out. Adjustable beams also guarantee the lighting is focused on the artwork. 

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

“CRI” refers to the exactness of how a bulb portrays color. A higher CRI indicates greater accuracy in depicting color and how it appears in sunlight. 

The list below explains different CRI values.  

• 70-79: Poor

• 80-89: Good

• 90-94: High

• 95+: Ultra High

• 100 CRI: Perfect Color Rendering

Gallery lighting should have a 90+ CRI to elevate the appearance of the painting.  

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) 

CCT indicates the tone or color of white displayed from a bulb in Kelvin (K). A neutral white light (3500-5000K) is best for an art gallery because the neutral tone won’t skew the painting's colors. It boosts concentration to enhance the visitor's experience. Alternatively, you can select a color temperature that pairs with the tones of your painting. For example, an art piece painted with warm tones will appear better under a warm CCT (2700-3500K), but an art piece with cooler tones will appear better with a cool CCT (at least 5000K). Consider this when choosing accent or task lighting angled directly on the paintings. 

Adjustable Beam Angles 

Different types of beam angles serve different purposes. A narrow beam angle (15-30°) is appropriate for highlighting specific pieces of artwork. Opt for a wider beam angle (at least 40°) when installing the overhead general lighting. In a gallery setting where artwork is constantly being rotated around, we offer track lights with selectable beam angles, allowing the beam angle to change according to lighting needs. 

Why Should I Use LEDs in Art Galleries? 

There are multiple benefits to installing LEDs in your art gallery. We’ve explained some below. 

Lower UV

Compared to other lighting technologies, LEDs release little to no UV rays. Therefore, LEDs can be installed in galleries without damaging artwork.

High CRI

Multiple LEDs with a 90+ CRI are available, including as high as 97 CRI. Our products with a 90+ CRI will have the ‘High CRI’ logo, and products with a 95+ CRI will have the ‘Ultra High CRI’ logo. 

Energy-Efficiency 

Due to their energy efficiency, LEDs produce less heat than traditional bulbs and save money on utility bills. They last up to 83 times longer than incandescent bulbs and 27 times longer than halogen bulbs, reducing the frequency of upkeep and replacement costs. 

The following benefits illustrate how LEDs create adaptable lighting.  

Tunable CCT

Certain LEDs have tunable CCT, meaning the color temperature can be switched between set values. A switch or controller is usually used to adjust the CCT. This enhances adaptability if new artwork is brought in and a different CCT is suitable. 

Dimmable Options

Dimmable LED options are available. These allow you to decrease the light output based on the available natural light or when the gallery is closed and increase the light in the early morning or nighttime hours when natural light is unavailable. 

Smart Controllers

Specific fixtures are compatible with smart controls, allowing you to adjust lighting from a phone or tablet. This is ideal if you don’t want to use a remote control. Smart controls allow you to schedule lights to turn on and off at the same time every day. For abstract or creative exhibits, you can set the lights to flash to draw attention to the art. 

RGB Color Selections  

Certain LEDs have red, green, and blue color options. For art pieces showcasing fun elements or wanting to enhance specific colors, you can change the colors with a controller, remote, or phone (for smart fixtures). 

Possible Accessories 

• Motion sensors can be installed with certain products. These lights automatically shut off after a period of inactivity and then power back on when movement is detected, saving energy.

• Daylight harvesting functions are available for certain fixtures, which adjust the light output based on the available daylight. When full daylight is found, the light output is only 10%. However, with less daylight available, the fixture will use a greater percentage of light to match the selected illuminance level. 

• Variations of mounting accessories or tracks are available. Depending on the installation, you can choose between adjustable, extendable, suspended, or surface mounts to best fit the application. 

Choosing Light Fixtures For The Gallery 

Before installing light fixtures in an art gallery, understand how to utilize the four types of lighting. 

• Ambient: The general or overhead lighting across the gallery. 

• Accent: When lighting highlights a specific piece of artwork or exhibit. 

• Decorative: Lighting intended to be used for design purposes or to elevate the look of the space. 

• Task: Lighting aiding in areas requiring focus, such as assisting exhibits with reading sections or enhancing artwork details.  

For more information on the four types of lighting, read here. 

Track Lights 

Track lights are adjustable fixtures often used as spotlights to illuminate specific art pieces. Since exhibits might be changed, it’s helpful to have flexible fixtures. Use art gallery track lighting for accent or task lighting.

Recessed Downlights

Implement recessed downlights in art galleries for general ambient lighting throughout the space. Recessed downlighting is versatile because retrofit options are available for upgrading existing lighting and canless options for new installations. 

Strip Lights 

Adding strip lights in display cases acts as accent lighting to highlight pieces. These can also be installed along the floor or the ceiling as task lighting to guide people through different exhibits.

Pendant Lights

Based on their design, pendant lights can serve as decorative lighting. Suspended from the ceiling, they usually have a sleek, modern look. Multiple pendant lights installed together can provide overhead lighting. 

Wall Washers 

Wall washers are linear light fixtures installed flat against walls with focused beam angles. These fixtures can reflect light around the artwork to draw attention and increase viewability. Multiple wall washers can link together to light larger or multiple pieces simultaneously. 

To achieve the same effect without wall wash fixtures, angle track lights or install recessed downlights directly above the paintings so the light displays around them. 

Closing 

Art gallery owners should understand the importance of lighting. When selecting light fixtures, consider the placement and colors of the artwork. Try to find adjustable and customizable fixtures to accommodate new exhibits or displays and utilize LEDs for longer lifespans, energy efficiency, and cost savings. 

Super Bright LEDs has the lighting solutions you need. Buy your lights online now, or for specific product information, contact one of our product specialists at 866-590-3533.