culturelife
At the heart of art FRAMING & ART CENTRE SHOWCASES LOCAL ART AND MORE
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By Janis Wallace
combination of experience, knowledge and adaptability has provided the foundation for the Framing & Art Centre owner Sarah White to grow her business over the past 21 years. She says she was “born into it” as her parents Jim and Dorothy Howell were the original owners. “My Dad still comes in once or twice a week to cut and build my frames. He loves to do it. We’ve switched roles: I used to work for my dad; now he works for me.” White moved the business from its original Kent Street location to Horton Street in 2020. She describes the new place as having an industrial, Toronto feeling. A glass garage door lets in light and allowed her to conduct consultations through the various pandemic restrictions. She set up a table in front of the door and showed clients options for their pieces. The move also prompted her to return to showcasing local artists. A call for submissions was so popular, she is now booking the two-month feature
into 2024. The store also carries work by other artists, including a local potter. An idea wall with gift items such as jewelry, leather and cards, anchors one side of the front room. “The business has changed quite a lot. People have more access to art. They’re buying it online. Canvases are popular. We stretch and put them on a frame. The trend is for big pieces,” she adds. White identified a need for art installations and added that service to the business. Art lovers are sometimes challenged when hanging artwork, especially large pieces or in difficult places such as over a stairwell, so White provides consultations. She and her staff love the challenge of specialty items. For one client, they designed a shadow box for soapstone carvings that could be opened to handle the pieces. “There is always something different coming in. I’m surrounded by art. The joy I have from what we do is working with the client, designing together, and seeing their face when they come in to see the completed work.”
ABOVE Store owner Sarah White (seated) and Athena Rainville, with shop dog Mylo at Framing and Art Centre.
FOR MORE INFORMATION • THE FRAMING & ART CENTRE • 371 Horton Street • 519-438-2534 • www.lon-kent.framingartcentre.ca July/August 2022 Lifestyle 37
