5 Star Review By Laura Biddick
Barney excels at the service he provides! I've had multiple prints and paintings matted and framed at his shop, and they've all been perfect.
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5 Star Review By Jack Friedman
I've never written a review for a business, but, I feel strong enough about the experiences that I've had with Downtown Art and Frame that I wanted this to be my first. My wife and I have been going to Downtown Art and Frame for the last two years to get our framing done. We have had a whole range of framing done here (between 8-10 jobs), including things as straightforward as 11 X 17 black and white photos, to a small poster, to an art tile, to a complicated, original oil painting (complicated because of the colors involved and some of the textures in the painting), to a large limited-edition print on rough-cut linen/cotton paper. In EVERY CASE Barney Gibbs took his time to help with every step. The great thing is that Barney has an artist's eye when it comes to framing, so he is very helpful when we have gone to the shop and we weren't positive how we wanted something framed. For instance, we knew that we wanted the large print in a white frame with a simple white matte, but, as we moved forward with various combinations, it became clear that there were other options that I hadn't thought about. In the end, Barney suggested that we simply float the print -- and, given that the print is of a bird, this worked INCREDIBLY well. In the end, he took almost 45 minutes to work on this one picture with me (he took almost an hour to help me when we were working through colors and options for framing an oil painting on another occasion!). Another great thing about Barney is that he really listens to you. If you want something specific, he won't try to change your mind. If you need some ideas, he's there to provide them (in a subtle manner). Barney is also great because he has NEVER tried to "up-sell" me on anything. He makes it clear when one frame is going to be much more expensive than another option. He offers the best quality glass, but, doesn't try to convince you that you will need it if a more "modest" (re: cheaper) glass is what you want/need (if you want it, he's got it, though). Regarding costs, it is hard to compare a custom framing with a pre-made frame purchased at a store. However, a nice, black frame with a white matte sized for an 11 X 17 photo at a "hobby store" costs around $40 (I've bought them in the past), while the same custom job (which produces a much more hearty and solid frame, in my opinion) from Downtown Art and Frame was between $45-50. Comparing the cost with a "hobby store" framing option for custom framing (which I have done in the past), the costs seemed cheaper or the same at Downtown Art and Frame -- but, don't take my word for it! Bring your picture in and get a quote from Barney, then take it elsewhere! I feel pretty confident that most folks will come back to Downtown Art and Frame.