Collectors Gallery and Framery has been in Historic Downtown Venice, Florida since 1983. In 2006, it moved around the corner from Venice Avenue to the first block of S. Nokomis Avenue in the Merchants of Venice Building. Proprietor Leah Sherman looks forward to your visit.
Framer – David Ortins is the master craftsman who will create your one-of-a-kind frame. In the frame shop of the Collectors’ Gallery and Framery, Ortins controls a state-of-the-art computerized mat cutter. When he began his work at the gallery, he hadn’t worked with such high-tech equipment before, but with his background in web design and Photoshop, it wasn’t long before he was making beautiful mats to set off all types of artwork.
Ortins learned his artisan skill while attending Massachusetts College of Art, where he supported himself with a part-time framing job. From there, in order to have time to paint, he went to work for a large framing company in Boston. The company had numerous clients in New York and, consequently, Ortins was able to frame some important pieces of art. He also framed his own work, which has been shown in galleries in New York, London, San Francisco and Germany.
Since moving to Venice, he has been happy to share his expertise in his new hometown. His most interesting project in Venice to date was framing four 36-inch Andy Warhol silk screens. The thin black frame with a red underglaze was the perfect fit for these iconic images. A window was cut into the backing to display the signature and company stamp.
“All the framing we do is archival,” Ortins said. “We use UV light-blocking glass and acid-free backing boards, so the art is not damaged by framing materials. It won’t yellow or stain.”
Ortins has found the perfect match for his lifestyle at Collectors’ Gallery & Framery. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands. I’m fairly detail oriented, which you have to be when you are measuring to 1/16 of an inch. I like organizing my day,” he said. All of our staff at Collectors’ Gallery and Framery seek to make certain each client is not just satisfied, but thrilled with the results.
Proprietor/Designer – Leah Sherman was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Her studies at the Memphis College of Art included drawing, painting and costume design. She holds degrees in Psychology from the University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State University. Leah worked as a psychologist in Lima and Mansfield, Ohio then headed south to Miami, Fl to live on a sailboat. She worked for many years in real estate sales/ management and residential remodeling. Her artistic nature proved useful in staging the homes she remodeled and decorated for fun and profit. Leah re-located to Venice in 2007 and purchased Collectors’ Gallery & Framery in 2008. She is an avid collector and looks at life as an adventure which must include travel. To select artists for the gallery she has traveled as far as Barcelona Spain, Eugene Oregon, New York City and Miami as well as attending many regional and local venues.
Designer – Patti Cross is a Native Floridian, who graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, she has a background in graphic design, publication production and art exhibition. But Patti says she learned much about galleries and art shows from managing the work of her late husband, Tom Cross, a renowned Mill Pond Press Fantasy artist.
One of her activities at the gallery is helping customers determine how to frame a special piece. Sometimes she starts with the theme of the artwork. For example, one of her favorite projects was a sketch of fish. A frame of shimmering silver, that brought to mind fish scales, was used to enhance the artwork. Other times, the frame is chosen to suit a particular décor. A customer might bring in a photo of the room where the art is to be displayed. Then, the frame must enhance the art and fit into the room design. More than just four pieces of wood, a frame requires choices of matting, layers, frame style, material and color that go together to draw the eye to the artwork. The gallery team will often present a few options to the customer
Shadowboxes are another opportunity for Patti’s design expertise to shine. “I like the three-dimensional aspect of designing these,” she said. Sometimes she will lay the items on the counter to see how they will look in the frame, while other times she takes photos of the pieces and designs the box in the computer. Once the layout is determined, a frame is selected to showcase the items. “The right frame can make even a small piece become a dramatic focal point, but selection requires caution that the frame doesn’t take away from the impact of the art,” she said.
When she’s not designing frames, Patti is reconfiguring the display walls and windows. Sometimes a holiday or other theme is used, while other times a particular artist is featured. She also works as an in-house graphic designer for the gallery, designing ads, invitations, and social media posts.
Patti enjoys the opportunity to work with many residents and visitors. “Venice is a community of people. You feel like you are a part of it,” she said.