What We Did On Our Summer Vacation
Our customers had a busy and fun season, which means so did we! Stop in with your summer vacay projects and keep the smiles of the season going strong all year long.
Welcome Northfield Framing & Fine Art Printing!
We are delighted to present Northfield Framing & Fine Art Printing, established in August 2019!
Since opening Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing in 2002, our goal has been to create a triad of certified custom framing shops that are easily accessible to a large portion of south-central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. With the addition of Northfield to our Red Wing (2002) and Rochester (2014) locations, our dream is coming to fruition. We are immensely grateful to our customers, friends, families, and business supporters who have made this possible. Thank YOU!
Our new shop is located in the beautiful Bridge Square of downtown Northfield, MN. The area offers ample parking along the streets and neighboring lots, and our design and retail shop has fantastic mojo. Northfield is a community rich in industry, agriculture, arts and culture, a fantastic foodie scene, and home to two prestigious universities, Carleton College and St. Olaf College.
In addition to our wide selection of custom framing samples and fine printing offerings, we are excited to offer ready-made frames, framed and loose prints, original art, artisan-crafted jewelry, handmade quilts, bags, and notions, pottery and Motawi art tiles, art cards, and fine gift items. Please stop by and see us Thursday (11-7 pm) and Friday/Saturday (11-5 pm)! Shop our wares, design a project with our master framer, take a seat in our comfy chair, and enjoy the opulence and warmth of our brand-new space.
"Come on in, the framing’s fine!"
The 2019 Annual Red Wing Pottery Convention
Exciting News: Sponsoring the Red Wing Collectors Society Annual Convention!
We are thrilled to once again sponsor the Red Wing Collectors Society Annual Convention, taking place this July 11-13 in Red Wing, MN. Collectors from around the world gather in our charming river city to celebrate their shared passion for Red Wing Pottery. This three-day event features auctions, socials, sales, swaps, workshops, education, networking, and more.
Last year, Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing presented three framed prints by the beloved local artist Larry Veeder for the Collectors Society auction. Red Wing Framing Owner and MCPF Valerie Becker, along with Red Wing Collectors Society Executive Director Stacy Wegner worked together in preparation for this year’s convention.
This year, Stacy entrusted us with a box of Collectors Society miscellany and said, "Have fun!" And we certainly did! Check out our delightful shadowboxes, filled with an eclectic mix of Collectors Society swag. These charming pieces will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Society's important work in preserving the legacy of Red Wing Pottery.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Red Wing Collectors Society and Ms. Wegner for the opportunity to support this wonderful organization and showcase our community pride. Learn more about the Red Wing Collectors Society on their website, and follow the action on their very active Facebook page.
New Gallery Collection: Alphonse Mucha
We are excited to showcase the first framed pieces from our collection of Alphonse Mucha prints. Mucha, a Czech artist (1860-1939), was known to have “drawn before he could walk.” His artistic career skyrocketed after he was urgently selected to create a poster for the Parisian stage star Sarah Bernhardt's production of Gismonda. Bernhardt was enamored with Mucha's work, and his creation transformed the art poster industry. For years, Mucha's talent was in high demand. Today, we can appreciate his works in various forms, including print reproductions of his production posters and decorative panels. Mucha was celebrated for making beautiful art accessible to a broader audience, offering his prints and posters at affordable prices. According to the Mucha Foundation, "It was Mucha’s belief that through the creation of beautiful works of art, the quality of life would be improved. He also believed that it was his duty as an artist to promote art for ordinary people.”
We are delighted to present our first set of framed Mucha prints, now available for viewing and purchase in our galleries. Each piece is framed with exquisite, preservation-quality materials to honor the artist's compelling vision and the inspiration and beauty he sought to elevate for everyone. Silk mats, museum glass, and delicate-style frames highlight the magnificent women in Mucha's works, offering viewers a unique experience with each piece.
Learn more about Alphonse Mucha at www.muchafoundation.org and visit our galleries to see the collection for yourself! Both framed works and prints are available for purchase in our gallery.
The Identity Project
Supporting Local Art: Riverside Central Elementary School Exhibit
In June 2018, we had the great privilege of supporting a fantastic local art exhibit developed by Riverside Central Elementary School in Rochester, MN. Over 530 students at Riverside created collages and artworks featuring their own portraits, encouraged to let their personalities shine and truly be themselves. The artwork is exhibited at the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester and will eventually be incorporated into an outdoor mural on the school.
Our role? Framing and printing!
Six students were chosen to have their artwork reproduced and professionally framed for the exhibit. Additionally, the framed pieces will be auctioned to benefit arts education at Riverside and the mission of the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester. We were thrilled to work with the project coordinators and, of course, the amazing young artists.
Our framing choices honored the individuality of each artist and their piece. Frames were selected to reflect the student's portrait, coordinate with the collages, and align with each artist's personality. Each student also completed an artist profile, which was displayed alongside their framed artwork.
As we always say, we heart kid's art, and this project stole our hearts in a big way. Show your support by visiting the exhibit, running through September 9, 2018, at the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester.
Thank you to Riverside School principal Matt Ruzak, fourth-grade teacher Melanie Shaw, instructor and coordinator Lida Casper, and the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester for their support of this project and media release.
Worth It.
What Makes Something Worthy of Framing?
Does it need to be a masterpiece by a renowned artist? Should it have a hefty price tag or historical significance? Sure, in May 2018, the Peggy and David Rockefeller family auctioned $600 million worth of original works by Monet, Renoir, and Picasso in New York City. These pieces undoubtedly fit all those criteria, and we would be honored to frame the work of such masters.
In the business world, perceived value is defined as "the worth a customer ascribes to a product or service." In our world of framing, perceived value extends beyond monetary worth to encompass the sentimental and emotional value a customer assigns to the artwork or object being framed. Our most cherished projects are those that resonate with our customers' stories—their hearts, histories, lives, families, memories, and hopes.
So, what if your project is just something your child drew in kindergarten, an old needlepoint your grandmother stitched, or simply a picture you found and liked? (Yes, we hear the word "just" a lot.)
Frame-worthy? ABSOLUTELY!
There is no price tag that can capture the true worth of such projects. Consider the value to you or your child who sees their artwork professionally displayed, fostering encouragement for creative and educational endeavors. Think about the value of preserving your grandmother's stitchery, a piece passed down through generations, keeping her name and story alive. And even if it's "just a picture you liked," that connection alone merits preservation. The reasons to frame something don't have to be deep or philosophical, but the impacts of these projects can be truly priceless.
You have entrusted us with your project to frame. We are honored to learn and share in your story. Fine custom framing is our passion and our story, and we are equally privileged to work with your $66 million Van Gogh or your late pup’s paw print in plaster. If it matters to you, it matters to us.
So, is it frame-worthy? Yes, and you don't need to justify it.
Frame Story: Dan and His "Fur Family"
Meeting Dan: A Journey in Framing and Friendship
We first met Dan in 2015 when he visited our Red Wing shop after a Google search for framing and printing. Dan’s initial project utilized both services—printing his commissioned artwork and framing it. He was a pleasure to work with, easygoing, and appreciative of our high-touch service style.
"You all took some time to get to know me and you listen to my input when selecting frames. I was involved in the whole process. How often does that even happen anymore?" Dan remarked.
Meet Dan, Paavo, and Miss Belle! Paavo resides at Wishbone Ranch and is part of the non-profit "This Old Horse" retirement program. "Miss Belle" is a young Friesian cross who is still in training. "They bring a lot of joy and meaning into my life," Dan shared about his horses. In addition to being a horseman, Dan is a cat lover! Here's Angel and Smushie.
We are proud to continue helping Dan tell his story by framing his many commissions. Dan prefers framing that complements both the artwork and his home decor style, and he appreciates our Tru Vue museum glass for its unmatched clarity and UV protection.
"I have been super pleased with all the work you’ve done. Important since I look at them every day!" Dan shared.
Check out a few of Dan's amazing ‘pet’ projects!
