Our Local - the Framing Workshop

As many will know, Hamilton is not exactly renown for its art destinations, and while there are actually a few gems hidden in our fair town that are worth a visit, it’s simply not good enough for a city of this size. However, one such glimmer of hope is the Framing Workshop - positioned in the quiet and out of the way (especially if you are not a local) little block of shops on Silverdale Rd, east of the University.

Sarah Marston has been in business as a very fine framer since 1993, and has occupied her current spot for the last five years. Some may remember her in Naylor Street before that.

Thinking about that special quality possessed by Sarah and her staff I would say it has to do with the way they look at and understand the works they frame. Whether it’s a work of historical importance, an art work by a leading New Zealand artist, an ancient tapa cloth, Grandma’s old tapestry or a piece of family memorabilia, the same artistic eye is applied to each, to determine just the right frame, the proportions and the finish. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Sarah is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, School of Fine Art, where she studied book design, because she has an artist’s eye for the way a thing should look.

Beyond the great service providing quality and clever framing, the Framing Workshop has quietly, over the last four years, been making a name for itself of a different kind. They have dedicated some of the workshop space to make a very small gallery to exhibit the work of local artists. So, the same eye for a good frame is extended to the curating of some quiet shows of great quality. And the exhibition programme is attracting a growing following from those in the know. It has become a great place to see work by some of the most interesting artists working in the Waikato. In a town that has not been able to support a fully contemporary dealer gallery the Framing Workshop is doing its bit to fill this embarrassing gap in a small but vital way. It also happens to be good for business, which has got to be good for everyone.

Mark Davidson has been working as a framer with Sarah for nearly eight years and has recently begun showing his work in the gallery space. As an artist Mark has a craft background and worked as a glass artist for more than 12 years. These images from his show in May are of his paintings inspired by cell structure and the way paint behaves. Beautifully rendered, Mark has a firm hand on the paint as he skilfully controls its play with space and colour contrasts. The resulting works are visually delightful as they capture the magic of paint.

 I have known Sarah since I first came to Hamilton and have had many things framed by her and recommended her to countless friends and clients. However, last year I approached Sarah with a very different hat on. I was working for our local school and had created an Artists in School programme for term 3. This brought six local artists into the school to work along side the children and teachers. A big part of the project was endeavoring to convey to the students the idea of an art world and the various people and parts that made it tick. I asked Sarah if she would sponsor this by running a framing workshop for a group of senior students who would be charged with framing some of their fellow artists' work. It was a hit, and all due to the patience and skill of Sarah and Mark.

Peter Dornauf's show has just finished and next up is 

Gaye Jurisich show titled Frame of Being opening today and running till 5 August
Following this is Genevieve Jones - a recent Wintec graduate and then  Maree Glass

Be sure to pop in if you get a chance or email Sarah to be sent show invites.

The Framing Workshop

120 Silverdale Road

Hamilton

 s.marston@clear.net.nz