Center line: The horizontal line between the top and bottom of a work of art. In a group arrangement, the center line bisects the entire arrangement.

Eye Level: The horizontal line directly in front of a person where the person’s view focuses easily. Actually, slightly lower by about 6 inches if the viewer stands or sits more than 3 feet away.

UV light/ Ultraviolet Light: Consists of certain rays of extremely short wavelength lying beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum. UV light in direct sunlight and produced by fluorescent light tubes can be extremely damaging to artwork. Note: Certain types of art is much more problematic than others. Such as watercolors, computer-printed photographs, color photographs in general, and color pens. In these types of art using OP3-level Plexiglas or den glass is highly recommended. Oil and Acrylic paintings on canvas are usually not a problem. The pigment used in oil and acrylic is much more permanent.

Glazing: A term used for acrylic or glass on the face of framed art and includes the space between the facing and the work of art.

Medium: The material or substance (such as oil, pastel, or watercolor paint) used to create a work of art.

Mat: A protective housing for flat works of art, usually a plate of matboard, comprising a base to which the support is fixed (background) and a frame (window mat) that allows it to be seen. The size of the mat is arbitrary but there are standards that a professional picture framer or artist with a good eye would naturally select.

Shadowbox: A deep frame for 3-dimensional materials. Used for framing things like a wine bottle, or tack stitch textile piece, in addition to the back mat or float and glazing.

Float: A term used when art is in a frame with space in-between the glazing and mat the art resides on.

Set Backs: When there is a space creating air between the art and the backing mat, usually created by using milled wood strips or 8ply rag strips.

Well Frame: A term used for framing art on a canvas, plywood, or Masonite. The frame consists of a vertical frame and a horizontal frame joined together to make an L-shaped frame. The space between the inside edge of the frame and the art is up to the artist and or picture framer