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FAQs: what’s your question? “Is there a difference between cheap and expensive oil paint?” “Does contemporary indicate a timeframe or a style?” “How can I enter the Topeka Riverfront Design Competition?” “Is it true Valerie Solanis claimed she was making a performance piece when she shot Andy Warhol?” In terms of reference, FAQ could also read: frequent art questions because staff in the Sabatini Gallery answers the bulk of the Library’s art-related inquiries. We also maintain and contribute to on-going art dialogue through our exhibits, educational partnerships, programs, daily interactions and our new Special Collections Papercuts column, Art & Antiquarian. Ask us anything. We’re an excellent resource for students, teachers, artists, gallery owners, museum professionals, collectors and art patrons. If we can’t immediately provide you with an answer, we’ll offer professional direction and research leads to other resources in the Library. Here’s a starter list of questions we’ve been asked (and these really only scratch the surface):   Art Collecting & Maintenence: Do you appraise art? Can you recommend an appraiser? What’s the difference between an original and a reproduction? How should I dust my painting? Is it ok to hang my art in a sunny room? All my grandmother’s photographs are glued to her album—how do I safely remove them? My grandfather left me a Frank Peers lithograph—how can I find out more about the artist? I accidently tore the surface of a painting—what should I do? Is it ok for artwork to sit in unheated storage during the winter? My drawings are all warped—what’s causing this? I just bought a lithograph and it says “acid-free” paper—what does that mean? What’s foxing? Where can I buy local art that’s affordable? Do you have a list of African-American artists in our community? Are there any local art fairs in the area? Is the work in this exhibit for sale? Can cigarette smoke damage art? Art Research & Education: What’s a curator? Can you recommend an artist for my term paper on figurative masters of the 20th century? I really want to work in a museum—what classes should I take? Do you have a list of hazardous art materials? What’s a JPEG and a TIF? Can you teach me Photoshop? I’m bringing in a group of Kindergarteners tomorrow—can you tailor the current show to their needs? What was the Arts and Crafts Movement? Someone told me I’m an “outsider artist”—should I be offended? I’m getting my Bachelor’s degree in painting—can you recommend a good graduate school? Where can I take art classes in Topeka? When scanning objects for my dissertation, a professor told me they need to be larger dpi—what does that mean? Is Wikipedia a good source for information about Jackson Pollack? What are the white gloves for? What are the top most respected art publications in print? I have to write an “artist’s statement” for class—what’s that? How do you make tempera paint? I just bought a piece of pottery and the artist said it was not intended for food use—what does that mean? Art Portfolio & Presentation: Do you have an exhibition policy? How do I get my work in the Gallery? I’m a book artist and I know you collect them—who do I speak with about getting my art into the permanent collection? All my friends use MySpace and Etsy to sell and promote their work—how can I get started doing the same thing? How do I make a portfolio? I didn’t get into a show and I’m really upset—am I a good artist? Do you know the number to Utrecht in Kansas City? Where can I get my work professionally framed? This exhibition says I have to submit my work in a CD-Rom format—what does that mean? My professor carries his portfolio on a flash drive—what’s a flash drive? What happens if my art is damaged in your gallery? What’s your question? Leave us a comment or call (785-580-4515), e-mail (webmaster@mail.tscpl.org), walk in or make an appointment. We’d love to help.   http://www.tscpl.org/gallery/comments/whats_your_question/