This summer has been exceptionally severe, with temperatures reaching unprecedented highs and breaking the global heat record on two consecutive days. Heat waves are starting earlier, lasting longer, and not providing relief in the evenings. With hurricane season now approaching, the situation is becoming even more concerning.
Fine art storage companies are acutely aware of extreme temperatures and high humidity levels, as well as hurricane conditions, due to strict industry standards, advanced climate-control systems, and the increasing costs and logistical challenges from rising demand for their services.
“Frankly, it feels like things aren’t getting better,” said Francis Petit, director of the New York office for art logistics firm Gander & White. “The current climate changes are exactly what you do not want when you store art.”
Gander & White first established a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Long Island City, New York, in 1986. In 2013, the company expanded with an additional 60,000-square-foot facility on 33rd Street, which houses their offices, packing shop, crates, and storage. This building, dating back to 1964, has thick walls typical of that era, which help with temperature maintenance but pose challenges for installing and updating modern climate-control systems.
Petit, who oversees storage for galleries, auction houses, private collectors, and institutions, observed that summer weather in New York has become increasingly severe over the past decade. He noted longer heat waves, more frequent heavy rains, and flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms. “We do have less snow, but generally speaking, I’d say the elements become more and more violent,” he said.
Art shipping and storage companies aim to minimize abrupt changes in temperature and humidity to avoid damaging sensitive air.“Those are the ones that are most fragile,” Petit said. “If you’re not careful, especially with humidity, the work will move, and unfortunately, it can create cracks.”
To ensure a consistently stable climate for art storage, Petit estimated that Gander & White’s New York facility uses two to three times more electricity during the summer for its HVAC system and humidity control. Data also revealed a 6 to 10 percent increase in the facility’s electricity consumption since 2020.
To keep climate-controlled environments stable for art storage, Petit estimated that Gander & White’s New York facility uses two to three times more electricity during the summer for its HVAC system and humidity control. Additionally, data from Petit indicated a 6 to 10 percent rise in electricity consumption at the New York facility since 2020.
For Gander & White’s Palm Beach and Miami locations, there are added logistical challenges for art transportation and storage, particularly during hurricane season.
Gander & White director Gilles de Greling said. “With the 22 years experience I have, I can tell you that it puts us in a very difficult position to offer a guarantee that we can service our clients appropriately in the event of a hurricane,” He continued, “You cannot expect us to just show up at your door at the worst possible time, rushing to try to save your collection.”
Despite having access to the latest government data, de Greling and his team can only predict a hurricane or tropical storm’s arrival with about five to seven days’ notice, including its potential impact direction. They can only inform clients to move their art once they have this information.
Gander & White must also prepare its 85,000 square feet of storage facilities in Florida by cleaning and securing them to minimize the risk from flying debris or other hazards. Additionally, pre-hurricane weather often brings strong winds and rain, which are not ideal for moving large artworks. “My philosophy as an art handler is, the less you move [those artworks], the better off you are,” de Greling said, noting his previous experience working at Sotheby’s as an art shipper between 1997 and 2000. “You should only move it when there’s a valid reason.”
De Greling stresses the need for staff and storage facilities in Florida to be prepared and advises clients to begin moving art in June and July, focusing on the most challenging pieces. Gander & White may also visit clients’ homes to document and plan for moving artwork in case of a severe storm. Additionally, Petit and de Greling noted the difficulty of finding skilled staff for handling high-value art. We’re not picking up guys on the street to pick up your art,” de Greling said with a laugh.
