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ARTVERB* NEWS

When in doubt, use a ROKBOX

MARCH 2025

How artverb* crate to perfection and save waste, money and time.

When in doubt, use a ROKBOX: how artverb* crate to perfection and save waste, money and time. artverb* and ROKBOX logos beside two handlers carrying a ROKBOX to the truck outside a New York building.

Canada's favourite fine art shippers, artverb* are early adopters of sustainable innovations. Back in 2003, their first truck Herb was a low-emission propane-powered vehicle. In 2022 artverb* started to cut emissions further by using ROKBOX crates to move works between Toronto and New York on their weekly shuttle. "We're willing to commit to change and progression. I had been looking for something like ROKBOX for a while so when I heard about them I knew it was exactly what we want to use." Ryan Barrett, Founder and Co-owner, artverb*. Photo: the Toronto artverb* crew.

The artverb* agenda isn't just green. As you'd expect from a fine art shipper entrusted with some of the world's most valuable artworks, artverb* need best in class protection with sensible costs for their clients and easy to use tools for the art handlers. Ryan says: "At artverb* we use a ROKBOX when the artwork is high value (over $100k) or it's a last minute job where there isn't time to build a wood crate. Often it's both!" "Our art handlers save a lot of time onsite using a ROKBOX instead of building slipcases or shadow boxes. These savings are passed onto the client." Photo: an art handler strapping a work into a ROKBOX.

"ROKBOX suits us well. We run high level jobs that are complicated and require the highest standards. At artverb* we use a ROKBOX when the artwork is high value or it's a last minute job where there isn't time to build a wood crate. Often it's both." Ryan Barrett, Founder and Co-owner, artverb*. Photo: handlers moving ROKBOX crates across a fair floor.

At ROKBOX we believe cost should not be a barrier to entry for safety or sustainability, and Ryan shares our philosophy. artverb* customers can now use a ROKBOX for the price of soft packing a painting. "It's something we are serious about," Ryan says. "It is actually more economical for the client to use a ROKBOX, as it's about a 1/4 the price of a custom wood crate." "And the best part, is there no waste! ROKBOX is perfect for the majority of our jobs, where a crate is only needed for a single pickup, and delivery and installation." Photo: artverb* moves a Joan Mitchell.

90% of art packaging is single use; there's no other sector in the world that creates packaging on this scale and throws it away within a week or two. 90% of art damage and loss insurance claims are made when the artwork is in transit; something inherent in the system is broken. ROKBOX crates are designed to be reused hundreds of times, and can be fully recycled at the end of their life, removing the need for single-use packaging. ROKBOX crates have been independently tested and verified to protect art better than wooden crates. Photo: a handler securing a large painting in a ROKBOX.

artverb* is a Toronto based fine art installation and transportation service, catering to artists, galleries, museums, institutions and private collectors. www.artverb.com. Photo: an artverb* truck at dusk.

ROKBOX is redefining art shipping by eradicating packaging waste, whilst lowering carbon emissions and costs with innovative, reusable sustainable art crates. Safer, cheaper, greener. www.rok-box.com. Photo: a ROKBOX Lite standing on a wooden crate.

20 YEARS OF ARTVERB* AND THE HISTORY OF THE GREEN TEAM

A message from our founder, from the first truck to the ULC certified vault.