Professional Practices Workshops for Visual Artists
Proper Placement Studio offers hands-on workshops that help visual art students learn the professional side of exhibiting their work: packing, shipping, storage, installation, presentation, and on-site practices. These classes are taught by James Geisen, drawing on more than 26 years of experience in professional art handling, installation, packing, and training.
Proper Placement Studio (PPS), an educational initiative of The Pack Animals LLC
James Geisen is a Chicago-based professional art handler and the founder of Proper Placement Studio (PPS), with over 26 years of experience installing, packing, transporting, and caring for artwork across galleries, private collections, institutions, and residential environments. Throughout his career, James has trained and mentored artists and art handlers of many ages and experience levels in a wide range of real-world contexts. Through PPS, he is focused on preserving and sharing the knowledge, standards, and practical methods of professional art handling with the next generation of artists.
Foundations of Professional Art Packing, Shipping & Storage
A two-day, hands-on workshop covering professional methods for packing flat and three-dimensional artwork for shipping, storage, and personal transport. Students learn slipcases, shadowboxes, padded boxes, basic crating concepts, documentation, condition reporting, shipping options, and the materials and tools used in professional packing.
Foundations of Professional Art Installation & Site Practices
A two-day, hands-on workshop covering the tools, hardware, hanging systems, and professional workflow involved in installing artwork safely and cleanly in galleries, institutions, and residential settings. Students learn anchors, florets, cleats, security hardware, installation prep, wall labels, lighting basics, and professional site practices.
Format: 2 consecutive days, 6–7 hours per day Ideal group: 10–20 students Certificate: PPS Certificate of Completion
Workshop Format
Each workshop is designed as a standalone two-day program and can be scheduled independently or as part of a broader professional practices series. PPS provides all tools, hardware, and consumable materials needed for the class. Schools provide the classroom or studio space, tables, and standard access to walls or work areas appropriate to the workshop.
Pricing is structured as instruction plus materials, with travel billed at actual cost based on distance and schedule. Workshops are currently booking for upcoming semesters.
Booking / Contact
For workshop availability or to discuss scheduling for your program, contact James directly.
James Geisen
phone: 630.336.7328 email: james@properplacementstudio.com