Your ancestors would like a word. . .

“You’re taking us to AN ORDINARY framer

and you expect us to SMILE?”

They would like us to debunk a few myths related to framing…

TRUE or FALSE:

• Framing costs less at craft stores that offer liberal discount coupons.

FALSE – dare to compare! We guarantee that Gallery One’s prices are lower than chain stores that offer Fabric-ated discounts. You’ll find that we offer better value for your framing dollar. We use only the finest quality mat boards and mouldings, and we buy them in bulk.

• Virtually anyone can learn to frame.

TRUE – But NOT every framer has completed the necessary requirements to earn (and retain) the distinction of CPF (Certified Picture Framer). This is the framer’s designation of excellence, awarded by the Professional Picture Framers Association to someone who has passed rigorous testing and demonstrated particular skill and knowledge in a demanding profession. A CPF has to know how to create frames for anything from Picassos to hockey pucks. The examination for this exclusive certification is intense and requires frequent recertification. Gallery One has THREE Certified Picture Framers on staff. Combined, our staff has 200 years’ experience in fine art and custom framing.

• My diploma will fit in a ready-made discount store poster frame.

TRUE – But first ask yourself, how much did it cost – in years, in study and in dollars – to earn that prized document that you will display for the rest of your life? Then decide how best to preserve it.

• Gallery One will handle my rare family photos and heirlooms with care.

TRUE – And unlike some other framers, all of our work is done on the premises by people who are used to handling priceless museum-quality pieces.

We can frame virtually anything (and have). Nobody takes better care of your treasures than we do, and no one will make them look better.

• But I don’t live in the area, so I’ll have to use a local framer.

FALSE – We take framing orders from all over the country and beyond! We can and do ship anywhere, and we do it better than anybody – see http://www.galleryone.com/testimonials.html

Or, make plans to visit us on your travels. Cleveland is hosting the RNC this summer. We’re home to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavaliers, the world-famous Cleveland Clinic and so much more. We’re close to Niagara Falls, Cedar Point and many other vacation attractions.
Just ask Northeast Ohio locals about us. They have voted us Best Cleveland Area Art Gallery twice! Established in 1974, Gallery One is family-friendly and celebrating more than 40 years in business. With an 18,000 square-foot showroom and custom framing facilities, we’re something to see! We have 30,000 limited edition prints, original paintings, sculptures, books, posters and porcelain figurines. Located at 7003 Center Street (between Rtes. 2 and 90), we’re here 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. The gallery is wheel chair accessible with free parking.

At Gallery One, we don’t make a fortune when we frame; we make a friend. 

Frame Design Ideas

Custom framing provides you with an opportunity to get exactly what you want. You get to choose what to frame, as well as the color scheme, style and proportions.  With thousands of frames and mats to choose from, the design possibilities are unlimited. By mixing and matching them in different combinations, you can hand pick frame designs to accentuate the best attributes in any piece of art.

What you will be framing plays an important role in how it will be framed. For example, a canvas is generally framed quite differently than a print on paper, even if the print is of the same image. For more information, see our Framing page.

a float frame

The subject, era, style and color scheme of the items being framed should also be factored in. When each of them is carefully considered, the resulting frame design is more likely to be in sync with the art.  Even wrapped canvases can be enhanced with a float frame as shown at right.

Lee and Grant by Ed Yanok

As seen at left, there is a time and a place for framing to be of a historical nature while in other situations it is fun to explore new options. Typically any historical art, documents and artifacts are framed to look authentic to their period. If a new piece of art was painted in an old world style, it may provide the perfect opportunity to update the look with a present day frame design.


 But, the simplest thing for you to do is to put yourself in the capable hands of the three Certified Professional Framers at Gallery One.

The Impact of Custom Framing

Beginning this month, we're going to bring you a series of articles on custom framing.  We'll look at frame design ideas for canvas, paper, photography, needlework and objects, show you new and unique frame and matting choices, trends, hanging tips and proper care of your framed items.

Let's begin with showing you how a few well-chosen pieces of framed art can transform an ordinary room into a space filled with personality and style. 

You'll learn how personalizing your home or work space with custom framing can express your personality and add to your enjoyment of your surroundings. You'll easily note that others may purchase the same sofa, tables and lamps that you have, but it is highly unlikely that anyone will ever have the exact same custom framing as you.

Regardless of what you choose to frame for your home, whether it is a favorite piece of fine art, a mirror, an object inherited from an ancestor or your child's first finger painting - it will add interest to your space. These rooms, with and without framed art, demonstrate what a big impact well-framed items can have.

Take a look and call, email or stop with your questions, comments and suggestions. Show off your style with or without the help of our art consultants and Certified Picture Framers. We're waiting to hear from you....!

About Our Framing and Conservation Advisor. . .

I never met Ross Merrill. Ours was a phone relationship. He was the teacher. I was the student.

Alan and I founded Gallery One in 1974. We had a significant background in retailing...and a love for the art of the day. We knew nothing about framing...and, in fact, thought we could run a proper art gallery while "farming out" framing projects to other custom framers in the area.

One such framer - one of northeastern Ohio's most renowned - framed an expensive item for our personal collection...and, by accident, I discovered that they had greatly devalued it with improper framing methods...so much so that they reimbursed us for the item and the framing. A bit shell-shocked, we realized that we needed to set up a custom framing department at Gallery One so that we could provide quality framing to our growing list of art (and framing) clients.

We bought the best equipment of the day, did what we could to train ourselves, handled every work with care, and became framers...doing the best we could. We were able to frame routine items...but if you are a custom framer, unusual projects become the norm. Having had the bad experience with the framing of our own item, I knew better than to rely on assistance from my peers in the industry. So I called the Cleveland Museum of Art and asked if anyone in their organization could advise an area framer. They put me through to Ross Merrill. (I just discovered that he had earned his master's degree in fine-art conservation from Ohio's Oberlin College in Ohio in 1974...the year we founded Gallery One...and was obviously new at the CMA. He later led their conservation department before going on to an even more prestigious career.)

Thus Ross and I began our phone relationship. I'm sure it was not a big deal to Ross. I called weekly or more with one question after another. And he always had time to advise me without making me feel incompetent. And I always followed his recommendations, thanking him for his kindness and picturing him as a much older person - mainly because of his knowledge.

Around that time, a gentleman drove from Cleveland with an armload of expensive art to be framed. It may have been the biggest framing sale we had ever had. I asked what brought him to Gallery One, and he said that he had contacted Ross Merrill at the CMA and that Ross recommended that he take his framing to us. I called Ross later that day to thank him for the substantial order. I asked what made him recommend us. After all, he had never visited Gallery One and we had never met. His response has stayed with me to this day: "Mrs. Brown, no one else cares as much as you do." I realize now that that became my charge. I still care as much as I did back then...the difference is that today I have staff that also cares as much.

I wonder if Ross ever realized what an impact his assistance made on a newbie framer/gallery owner...and just how much I appreciated his kindness in instructing me. And by the way, I was shocked to find that I was older than he. He was just so much wiser!

Please take a moment to look at the links. Ross died in December 2010. I have thought of him often, knowing that he went on to a distinguished career at Washington DC's National Gallery of Art where he built their conservation department into one of the most respected organizations of its kind in the world.

Ross Merrill's life
Ross Merrill's video interview
Ross Merrill's paintings

That's all for now!
Norah Lynne and Alan