Columnists :: In Business
Around the Corner Custom Framing and Fine Art Gallery celebrates grand opening by Ashley Rigazio
MySouthEnd.com ContributorMonday Oct 12, 2009 Shop hopes to make a name for itself amid eclectic South End scene
With fall foliage at its peak and open studios scheduled all around the city, this week was great timing for Around the Corner Custom Framing and Fine Art Gallery’s official grand opening party, celebrating a fresh source for original, local artwork and artist-designed custom framing services in the South End.
Owner Amanda Accardi got her start in the neighborhood working for the shop’s previous owner, when the 637 Tremont Street location was called Ace of Frames. Around the Corner officially opened its doors under Accardi’s ownership during the last week of August, but it wasn’t until Thursday, Oct. 8, that the busy proprietor had a chance to step back and enjoy her new gallery.
"I was just really in the works, trying to get artwork up and move things around and stuff like that," she said. "I took a month to really get everything in order, and then decided to celebrate once I had it really all together."
And celebrate they did-the gallery stayed packed with family, friends, artists, and clients during the four-hour fete, which spilled out onto the street.
Around the Corner offers custom framing services, collaborations with a hanging and installation expert, and canvas stretching.
"We don’t sell anything ready-made, really," Accardi noted. "Everything I design I put together myself."
As a painter herself, Accardi brings an artists’ perspective to her framing services.
"I’m really trying to focus on the design of each piece and do something a bit different," she said. "I have a couple pieces with a painted bevel or a silk mat on there. I try to pick the frames that really talk about the artwork and pick up maybe the meaning of the piece, the color-whatever it’s trying to talk about-and really focus on that."
Around the Corner also specializes in local art, mostly from a group of five artist friends. All of the store’s décor is on consignment from a designer Accardi works with. She credits these connections, as well as the store’s built-in client base, to her work at Ace of Frames.
"I was really the face of the business, even though I didn’t own it," she said, explaining how the previous owner stepped aside, leaving her to manage the store entirely on her own for six to seven months.
He eventually offered Accardi the business, and in June she accepted.
"I was lucky to have that experience to manage on my own before I took the whole place," she said. "I kept the relationships with people that I had-some photographers and a lot of the artists in the area. They kept working with me, so that’s a really great start."
Among them was Davis Square-based painter Andrea Newland, a longtime friend of Accardi and fellow MassArt graduate, who was thrilled to have her oil and watercolor works displayed in the bustling South End market.
"I’m so psyched. Amanda and I were friends in college, so we’ve continued that friendship, and I’m all about backing her up in this new endeavor," said Newland. "It’s good to have this frame/gallery so I can promote myself, promote my other artist friends. It’s hard to find exposure, so it’s a great venue for that."
Among Newland’s works on display are matted, two-by-three-inch watercolor "mini-masterpieces" and a gold-framed oil painting in the window called "Running with the Circus." She said she hopes to collaborate with Accardi to bring in more contemporary, up-and-coming art.
"We see a lot of artists with talent, but they don’t have a lot of confidence to push themselves," she said, explaining that she likes to encourage that local creativity.
Accardi was also excited about the possibilities of the revamped space, noting how the "appreciative and welcoming" South End is one of Boston’s largest artist communities. And judging by the tub of dog biscuits on the windowsill and the rainbow pride flag that hangs above the door, the Jamaica Plain resident is fitting into the canine-adoring, progressive neighborhood just fine.
"I believe that this community is very supportive and exciting and diverse, and I am also gay," said Accardi. "My partner is here and has helped me immensely through this endeavor as well. I really just want to put out the face of the young, female, gay business owner."
"I love the community around here," she continued. "Everyone who comes into the store, they look at local artists, they’re very excited about it, and they really appreciate the arts around here. It’s a very up-and-coming neighborhood."
For gallery news, photos, and links to showings, visit www.framearoundthecorner.com.
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