“Displaying our family history in our home allows us to walk among the memories of our ancestors and instills a deep sense of belonging and connection.”
Jane Smith, Family Historian
Family art projects that creatively display or incorporate special family history items into the design can be a wondeful way to showcase the stories, memories, and connections you want to preserve. Rather than leaving those paper and digital files, old family photos, heirlooms, and written stories stashed in a box in the closet, why not transform them to home decor? Repurposing memorable family items to art is not only fun; it’s also a great way to generate conversations about family history. On top of that, being in touch with ancestral stories has shown to help increase self-awareness and happiness. By turning your family heritage items into art, you can reap the mental health benefits that come with creative pursuits. Here are 9 unusual and exciting ways to recycle common items into unique family art.
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1. Family History Photo & Document Collages
Create a heritage collage by combining old family photos, handwritten letters, and documents into a visual narrative.
Photo Collages
Photo collages are an easy, all ages activity. Print and display your favorite photos or assemble using software or cloud-based applications. Review How to Make a Family Photo Collage in 5 Easy Steps for some excellent DIY ideas to get you started.
Adding Family History Items
In addition to working with photos, try incorporating other items and methods into your collage. Consider unusual mediums like these encaustic collages created by Anjuli Johnson. Unique assembly can create some pretty cool heirlooms to pass down!
Encaustic is an ideal medium for assemblage, mixed media, and collage. It uses melted beeswax and paper and is adaptable to a variety of techniques such as layering, embedding, impressions, and photo transfers. Visit allthingsencaustic.com for details and ideas!
2. Unique Family Art – Heritage Collages
Want something more unusual? Consider creating a representational heritage collage like this example by Korean-American artist Jiha Moon.
Using Heritage Materials
Mujigae yolo is ink and acrylic on Hanji paper mounted on canvas. Moon combines traditional materials from her heritage, like handmade Hanji paper, with non-traditional artmaking materials like nail decals and hair extensions. This creates works reflective of her personal history and current situation. Moon says, “I feel like my life is like a collage, and I’m a piece of it. I cut and pasted myself from Korea to America.”
Creating Ancestor Portraits
How about creating portraits as the focal point of your heritage collage? We really like this one by Meredith Stern:
We love the way this collage uses a linocut portrait of a relative! Linocut is a print made from a design cut in relief on a sheet of linoleum. Stern added photocopies of original family documents. The collage displays Yiddish letters from the family collection, as well as a translation.
Project Supplies
Stock up on all the materials you need for these unique family art projects at Blick Art Materials!
3. Memory Quilts
Why not transform cherished textiles, such as old family clothes or fabric scraps, or even fabric copies of special photos into a beautiful memory quilt? You can hand-stitch or use a sewing machine to create a patchwork of memories to display on a wall or draped over furniture. Need inspiration? CreatewithClaudia.com will get your creative juices flowing with 9+ Awesome Memory Quilt Ideas.
Memory Quilt Tutorial and Free Pattern
If you’re a quilting novice, SuzyQuilts.com has a great tutorial, 3 Easy Steps To Make A Memory Quilt to get you started, and provides tips for working with different kinds of fabrics. Also, this site offers a FREE Squared Quilt Pattern that is perfect for the beginning quilter.
Commission a Memory Quilt
Don’t want to create the quilt on your own? Quiltkeepsake.com specializes in three types of memory quilts: memorial quilts, baby clothes quilts, and t-shirt quilts. This company works closely with customers to incorporate heritage textiles into a pleasing and meaningful keepsake.
4. Shadow Boxes
Another way to display small family heirlooms, such as jewelry, medals, or letters, is to arrange them in a shadow box. Learn how to build a simple shadow box in this tutorial from Better Homes & Gardens.
What to Put in Your Shadow Box
Not sure what to put in your shadow box display or what mounting materials to use? 22 Creative Shadow Box Ideas to Turn Keepsakes into Art is a good primer on the popular styles of shadow boxes. You will learn different methods of assembling, decorating, and lighting them.
More Family History Art Project Ideas
5. Family Tree Wall Art: Illustrate your family tree on a large canvas or create digital artwork that can be printed and framed. Include names, birth dates, and significant milestones to visually represent your family lineage. Visit Family Tree Project Ideas & Gifts to Celebrate Your Heritage for a ton of cool display ideas!
6. Photo Book: Compile old family photos and create a photo book or album. Preserve the memories in a tangible format that can be easily shared and enjoyed by family members for years to come. There are many companies offering online tools for creating and printing photo books. Check out Best Photo Books for 2023 to learn more about digital photo books and compare services.
7. Storytelling Wall: Dedicate a wall in your home to storytelling. Hang frames or display pockets filled with written family stories, anecdotes, and quotes. Encourage family members to contribute their own narratives, fostering a sense of connection.
8. Heritage Scrapbook: Scrapbooking is a timeless favorite for collecting and assembling bits of family history. Scrapbooking Your Family History provides tips for the best ways to document and preserve in this manner.
9. Heritage Junk Journal: A variation on a scrapbook, a heritage junk journal uses a mixed media and is focused on family history rather than current family events. Creating a digital version is a great way to preserve and enhance photos and documents, and offers lots of options for embellishment and additions. Take a look at How to Make a Junk Journal on the Computer for ideas on how to get started.
Preservation Tips
- Digitize old family photos and documents to ensure their long-term preservation.
- Use archival-quality materials, such as acid-free paper and photo-safe adhesives, to prevent deterioration.
- Display items away from direct sunlight and in a temperature-controlled environment to minimize fading and damage.
The Power of Connection through Heritage Art
“Artistic expressions of our heritage celebrate the unique tapestry of our family’s journey and create a visual reminder of the bonds that unite us.”
John Davis, Artist
Transforming family history into meaningful art projects and home decor not only preserves our heritage but also enhances the sense of belonging and connection within our family. By crafting these artworks with preservation in mind and showcasing them in our homes, we ensure that future generations can appreciate their roots and continue to pass down the stories and memories that make our family unique. Let your family history come alive through the power of art and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Ready to get started? Gather your materials and share your project with us in the comments!
