Business Buzz: Art & Frame Opens In Newtown
Business: Art & Frame
Address: 77 Main Street, Newtown (in the former ambulance garage)
Owner: John O’Sullivan
Background: Mr O’Sullivan, a Newtown resident, has been involved with creating and showcasing his own art as well as the work of many other creatives since he was in high school. He secured his first job working in a gallery in 1987 and opened his first exhibit space and framing workshop in Danbury in 2011, where he held new shows every seven weeks featuring almost exclusively local artists. During that time, he also not only honed his expertise at framing everything from art to wedding dresses to sports memorabilia (including recent exhibit frames for a famous former Boston Red Sox player) — but also amassed one of the largest collections (5,000+) of framing samples available “from about every vendor in the business.”
Business focus: After feeling increasingly constrained by the limited space in his first exhibit gallery in Danbury, Mr O’Sullivan said he started eyeing the former Newtown Ambulance garage, which is within walking distance of his home, as a possible new site since it was vacated several years ago. “I kept after it even though it was slated to be demolished and was able to get the necessary zoning clearance once I produced renderings showing how good the building would look once it was renovated.” Flooded with natural light, Art & Frame currently has about 100 pieces on display from more than three dozen local artists. “I like group shows because it gets a lot of artists from the community involved,” he said. With plans to host a SCAN (Society of Creative Arts of Newtown) show in May, along with art and framing classes, Mr O’Sullivan finds his new location is “the perfect space for both.” His current exhibit closing will serve as the gallery’s grand opening backdrop for a public event on Saturday, February 2, from 5 to 7 pm.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm
Website: artandframeofdanbury.com
E-Mail: artandframeofdanbury@gmail.com
Social Media: facebook.com/artandframe
Phone/Reservations: 203-748-0197
Standing between part of his bright and naturally lit exhibit space and a framing showroom, Art & Frame owner John O’Sullivan is prepping his new gallery for a grand opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, February 2, from 5 to 7 pm. The studio is located in the converted former Newtown Volunteer Ambulance station at 77 Main Street. (Bee Photo, Voket)