How do galleries change the configuration of wall hangers between exhibits without damaging the walls?

Good question. Galleries and museum repaint every time between exhibits, and they fill the holes left behind from the previous one.

I’ve seen paintings hung by wires that attach to the ceiling. Course then they’d have holes in the ceiling. ;)

They have wooden rails that are parallel to the ceiling and use picture wall hanging cables like these. https://systematicart.com/cable-systems/hanging-cables

I used to volunteer at the local nonprofit art gallery

Some use this.

^^ You’re kidding, right? I just can’t see the MET or any other museum using that.

They use hangers that hardly or do not damage the walls. They also always have people ready to repair any little damage as soon as the anchors are all in place. .

@Hawaii_Jake, so that’s why they close off a whole section of the museum with tarps and plastic sheeting when there’s a new exhibit going in. I had no idea they were repainting. No wonder it takes so long.