The Fabulous Fillet
In the world of framing, a fillet (pronounced "fill-it") is a tiny frame with a reverse lip that fits inside a traditional frame or beneath a mat. Fillets add extra flair or dramatic enhancement to a frame, providing an additional level of showcasing for a piece of art.
For instance, the ornate fillet around the pastel Madonna adds a touch of elegance to the rustic-style frame. Our first-place chapter winner featured a blue frame fillet that perfectly matched the bold blue in the needlepoint. Finally, the beautiful Belle is displayed with a bold mat edged in a delicate fillet, giving her design just the right amount of sass to match her personality, according to her owner.
Fillets exponentially grow the creative possibilities of framing design, and as we always say, the more creative options the more fun to be had!
A framing limerick
There once was a framer named Valerie.
Who framed art that hung in a gallery.
It was beautifully done and the process was so fun.
And it was only a small part of my salary.
Creative prompts
What a wonderful environment for sparking creativity!
For me, creativity is often inspired by a blend of curiosity, emotion, and the beauty of the world around us. In your community, the preserved downtown, the Mississippi River, the bluffs, and the authentic working elements offer a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and stories that can trigger a creative response.
The changing of the seasons and the longer autumnal light add a unique touch, creating a canvas of brilliant colors and intriguing shadows that seem to invite artistic expression.
Here are a few creative prompts that might resonate with you in Red Wing:
Nature Walks: Take a leisurely walk along the Mississippi River or through the river bluffs. Observe the changing colors of the leaves, the reflections on the water, and the wildlife. Capture these moments through photography, painting, or writing.
Historic Exploration: Visit the preserved downtown and imagine the stories of the buildings and the people who lived there. Write a short story or poem inspired by a particular building or location.
Industrial Inspiration: Watch the barges, railroads, and manufacturing activities. The interplay of machinery, human effort, and the environment can inspire both visual and written art.
Seasonal Changes: Embrace the changing seasons. Create a photo series, paintings, or journal entries that document the transition from summer to autumn.
Community Connections: Engage with the local community. Attend events, talk to residents, and discover their stories. Use these interactions as inspiration for creative projects.
2014 Flyway Film Festival
Every year we take this photo because every year we like to be involved in the Flyway Film Festival.
This year the Festival will continue to grow and we are delighted to be a small part of it.
2013 Flyway Film Festival
Flyway Film Festival: A Beloved Annual Event
The Flyway Film Festival remains one of our favorite events each year. It continues to improve annually, and this year will be no exception.
We love participating because we love films.
Busy, busy, busy…
Busy Behind the Scenes
It's been busier here than it might seem.
Earlier this year, we embarked on an exciting project to measure the local Creative Economy and compare it to other communities. With this information, our goal is to make well-informed recommendations for the future.
This project is crucial to our business for obvious reasons, but it's also vital for the community, as this sector of the economy is experiencing rapid growth.
We couldn't—and shouldn't—undertake a project of this magnitude alone. We've partnered with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Red Wing Downtown Main Street, Inc., Anderson Center at Tower View, Red Wing Arts Association, ArtReach, and the Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts.
Being in such good company adds credibility to the final report.
We are proud of the final report and encourage you to download your own copy.