CV Art and Frame Blends Creativity, Community & Curation
Formerly known as Corner Vise Frame Shop, CV Art and Frame has been serving Zionsville for more than 40 years. The place it now stands has gone from an opera house to a carriage repair shop to a destination for unique art pieces, picture frames, shadow boxes and more.
Barbara Jennings grew up in Jamaica and came to the U.S. to go to school. An Indiana University graduate, she has owned the business since 1986, after purchasing it with her parents. She apprenticed with the previous owner for two years and is a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association.
Rhonda Crawshaw has been with her since 2000 and is now the gallery director.
“I left my corporate job at the phone company. I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life,” she says. “There was a tiny newspaper ad that read: ‘Art consultant wanted.’ We just clicked, and I’ve been helping her build the business ever since. I’m not an artist myself, but I love to work with the creatives. It’s so much fun to get to meet all the artists.”
She wears many hats in her role, from handling social media to coordinating events. The store holds three to four shows every year, each spotlighting a different artist.
“We bring in the artists so our collectors can meet them face to face,” Crawshaw says. “It allows us to establish that connection between the collector, the art and the artist.”
The next show will be Oct. 10 and 11, featuring artist Maya Eventov, a Russian-born painter who currently lives in Canada. She will write a personalized dedication on any piece purchased at the show. Friday night’s event will include a VIP reception for top clients, with photo opportunities and refreshments. Eventov will be at the store on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Crawshaw enjoys organizing events and getting to know both the clients and the artists. Some of them, such as recurring guest Carlos Gamez de Francisco, paint during the show so visitors can watch them work.
While some art in the store comes from brokers who provide pieces from all over the world, some paintings come directly from the artists.
“Carlos is from Cuba,” Crawshaw says. “He came to the States with very little money: he bought himself a suit, a pair of Forrest Gump tennis shoes and art supplies, because he knew he was going to hit the pavement with his art. The first time he showed it to us, I immediately said, ‘Yes! We want your art.’”
Crawshaw also has to predict what will sell in this particular gallery. She explains that when they displayed the work of an artist who specialized in marine art, it didn’t sell well. He was famous and sold many pieces in coastal regions, but the local clientele wanted artwork that reminded them of home, with forests and creek sides.
“What I look for as a curator is art that’s high quality, unique and speaks to people, that I can tell a story about and connect the viewer with the art,” she says.
Crawshaw and the rest of the staff are knowledgeable, experienced and love to help clients pick out the ideal custom frame to protect their art pieces, or find the perfect new painting for their home or office. They will also put together shadow boxes for keepsakes, such as jerseys, books or anything else the client might want to preserve.
CV Art and Frame is located at 110 S. Main St. in Zionsville. For more information about the store and the event with Maya Eventov, email info@cvartandframe.com, call 317-873-2976, or visit cvartandframe.com. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by appointment.
