Determine the theme of the show. There might be specific colors associated with the artwork or in the space where the work is being displayed.
Consider painting or staining the easel so that it fits the theme of the show. You can add designs, paint pretty flowers or write beautiful sayings in script on the easel. It then becomes a piece of art in its own right.
Place a shorter easel on top of a wooden chair. If it's a fall show, for example, you might place small pumpkins and gourds on the chair and tie multicolored corn cobs to the top of the easel with a matching ribbon. For extra flair, make sure the husks of the corn stand up like hair at the top.
Position three easels of differing heights next to one another. Connect them visually by placing pieces of art from a series together and then add some ribbon of a complementary color to the easel. You can even connect the paintings further by connecting the ribbon from one easel to another.
Affix dried flowers to the top of the easel or in bunches in the front.
Fasten paper fans to the lip of the easel as well as to the top. Fan them out and tie them on. This works great for a show with an Asian theme.
Display the easel on a table, surrounded by books about the artist. These books are usually beautiful coffee table-style books with reproductions of the work. If you have one of the paintings that's in the book, open the book to that page. On a second easel, leave a blank book for people to make comments.
Surround an easel with tall candelabras or free-standing candle holders of various heights. Choose fragrant, colorful candles. Be careful not to position them too close to the artwork.
Drape silk flowers, grape leaves or ivy on the easel as well as the artwork. This works very well if the picture is a still life featuring flowers or a landscape painting. However, it can be used with almost any type painting.
Fasten "used" paint brushes with ribbon on an easel that's been flecked with paint. This works great with modern pieces.