Frames, lighting, easels and art—the Burnaby Art Gallery preparator’s basement workshop has a museum-like quality. It’s intriguing, and poses the question: What exactly happens behind the scenes at an art gallery?

For example, how does the BAG prepare an exhibition of works of award-winning artist Gordon Smith?

With an opening date of Dec. 8, the process started 18 months ago when director/curator Darrin Martens acquired a donation of 66 pieces from Gordon Smith to add to the gallery’s collection of 37 of the artist’s existing works.

The preparator, Bob MacIntyre, then works closely with the curator to prepare and install the gallery’s exhibition—starting the process often five months in advance.

To prepare for Gordon Smith: The Printed Pictures exhibition, the preparator began gathering the exhibition works as early as July of this year which included handling, packing and moving the pieces. Artwork that is part of the gallery’s permanent collection is brought in from storage and other pieces are collected from art institutions and private collections. Next, skilled technical work is applied, including matting and framing pieces following archival and museum guidelines.

Although the exhibition is not until December, the preparator has already matted the pieces—a task that takes time, mathematical and aesthetic skills, and a steady hand.

One week before opening, he will begin installing the exhibit, which includes arranging technical aspects and materials, moving walls, installing mounts and exhibit components, painting, hanging wall labels and text panels, and adjusting gallery lighting.

Another part of the preparator’s job is to maintain the gallery’s off-site climate-controlled storage facility.

Did you know that the Burnaby Art Gallery has the third-largest public art museum collection in B.C.?

Yes, the gallery cares for and manages over 4,100 works as stewards of the City of Burnaby’s Permanent Art Collection and is a nationally-recognized leader in print culture dedicated to showcasing original hand-pulled prints. The collection is a contemporary and historical visual art program by local, national and internationally recognized artists.

• If you’re curious as to how the exhibit gets pulled together, Gordon Smith: The Printed Pictures runs Dec. 8, 2009–March 7, 2010 with an opening reception Saturday, Dec. 12, 1-3 p.m. For more information visit: burnabyartgallery.ca