Frame ‘N Things to open refurbished gallery July 17
CAVE SPRING–Roanoke’s majestic blue mountains and lush woodlands have always inspired more than the area’s fair share of artists. And now up-and-coming artists have a new venue to display their work.
On Saturday, Frame ‘N Things will introduce its refurbished art gallery, renamed “The Underground Gallery,” featuring the artwork of lesser-known local artisans.
Artist Maria Osorio Driscoll spent Tuesday preparing Frame 'N Things' refurbished art gallery for its debut on Saturday, July 17. Photo by Kristin Adams
Located on Brambleton Avenue, Frame ‘N Things has a reputation as an exceptionally successful custom framing store.
“We’re known as a framer,” owner Randy Burkett said. “That’s who we are.”
Frame ‘N Things has been in Burkett’s family for almost 20 years. He purchased the store from his father in 2004 after retiring from a 21 year career in the Navy.
Voted Best Framing Shop by “The Roanoker” magazine for the past 10 years, Burkett has plenty of loyal customers.
One place Frame ‘N Things has not developed a reputation, however, is in art sales. The store has always had an art gallery featuring well-known local artists. Yet his art sales have been below expectation for years. With the downturn of the economy, Burkett has had to rethink his approach to selling art.
“We felt the downturn before the news even mentioned it,” Burkett said. “Frames are a luxury item. If you have 10 dollars, and you can buy gas for your car, or a frame, I know what the choice will be.”
With many nearby stores selling similar artwork, sometimes by the same artists, Burkett decided to revolutionize his gallery by featuring original pieces, not prints by established icons of the community.
“What we want to do is generate some interest in new artists,” Burkett said.
Burkett is not stopping at new, however. His keyword is different.
“If I had to pick one word, different would probably be it,” Burkett said about the artwork he plans to sell in his store. “It’s definitely not what you see every day.”
Indeed, most people do not have Scott “Toobz” Noel’s spray painted portraits, Hannah Doss’ nude sculptures, or Jeff Hill’s Scherenschnitte—paper cut with a knife— in their home. Yet Burkett hopes that the artwork’s distinctive air will make it valuable to art lovers.
Other artists featured in the Grand Opening include Frame ‘N Things manager Jessie Booth, as well as Eddie Resnick, Joe Ingram, Sharon Cooper-Moody, and Hailey Doss. Their mediums range from pen and ink to oil and jewelry.
To keep the artwork fresh, he will rotate his six to ten featured artists every three months.
“If we keep the same stuff on the walls all the time, it’s not going to be different anymore,” Burkett said.
Burkett is continuously looking for unknown artists who want to display their work in “The Underground Gallery.” He found the first group by approaching local art teachers, and through Booth’s contacts; he also asked two of his framing customers to participate in the opening.
“I don’t know if we’ll be successful,” Burkett said of his new endeavor. “Hopefully some of our success from framing will carry over.”
Burkett will find out on Saturday. The Grand Opening lasts from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on July 17. The artists will be at Frame ‘N Things to discuss their work, and Burkett promises snacks for the gallery-goers.
