Scholars Revisited

The Larson-Juhl scholarship scheme was launched back in April 2016 as part of the business’s commitment to supporting the framing industry and investing in future talent. The programme is aimed at existing framers who already own – or are hoping to own – their own business and the winners benefit from the GCF(APF) examination and examiner’s fee, GCF(APF) study guide, and free access for one year to selected seminars, study days with Advanced GCFs and workshops held by the Fine Art Trade Guild. 4walls spoke to four former winners to see how they have thrived: Jonathan Birch (Dovetail Framing), Jilly Higton (Dandelion Picture Framing), Harriet ‘Beanie’ Wallington (8 Bells Gallery) and Justin George (George the Framer).

To find out more about the Scholarship scheme, go to the Fine Art Trade Guild website fineart.co.uk

Jonathan Birch

Jonathan Birch

Jonathan Birch of Dovetail Framing was one of the first scholarship winners – and he has been reaping the benefits ever since. When he started his business, he joined the Guild straightaway. His commitment to working to the highest standards then led to a desire to get qualified, and his application to the scholarship scheme.

Today, Dovetail Framing is enjoying a very buoyant sales period and Jonathan told 4walls:

Interestingly, Jonathan is also noticing an increasing consumer awareness around sustainability. Especially with regard to where products come from and the type/amount of packaging.

Despite now being a highly experienced framer, Jonathan still finds the Guild’s technical support incredibly useful and feels that his membership helps with driving and converting sales enquiries.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @dovetailframing dovetailframing.co.uk

Jonathan is a big fan of Larson-Juhl’s mountboard. “There is a great range of colours. The cutting quality is excellent. And stock levels are great. There is never a problem with availability.” “I am not only seeing an increase in demand for framing but also a willingness to pay for quality. Many of my customers are now looking to frame and preserve valuable artwork and they want these items treated properly with top quality framing. Where the Guild qualification comes in, is that customers are unlikely to understand the intricacies of framing, but they do understand professional quality standards and guarantees.”

Jilly Higton

Jilly Higton

Lancaster-based Jilly Higton describes herself as very much a traditionalist, doing everything by hand – which means her attention to detail and commitment to standards are exemplary. She credits this level of professionalism to her time spent with Lyn Hall and Steve McKee – when training and in the run up to her exams. Being a one-woman business, keeping up with the latest best practice via the Guild is really important to Jilly and she gets huge amounts of value from her membership, which all started when she won a Larson-Juhl scholarship in 2018. “Once accredited, I really did grow in confidence and that benefited my business in all sorts of ways.”

Jilly became a big fan of Larson-Juhl mountboard under Lyn’s pupillage – especially as it is made up the road in Kendal.

Her favourite work includes canvas stretching, tapestries and cross stitch – along with memorabilia.

Jilly originally got into framing so she could work from home around her three children but alongside her framing business, Jilly still works part-time for the NHS as a medical secretary. She is a busy lady – but wouldn’t have it any other way!

“The conservation and preservation role that board can play is a very significant one,” in Jilly’s book.

Facebook @dandelionpictureframing dandelionpictureframing.com

Harriet Wallington

Harriet ‘Beanie’ Wallington grew up around the family gallery, indeed both art and framing are in her blood! Her father Mark launched 8 Bells Gallery in Tetbury over 30 years ago – and Beanie was a student of fine art at Bristol UWE.

Today, Beanie is something of a creative dynamo, always looking for unusual objects to frame. She feels the market is incredibly strong at the moment. She told 4walls that:

Beanie won a Larson-Juhl scholarship in 2018 and passed her GCF (APF) with distinction. This qualification has really helped her develop as a professional framer and she feels it has given her the confidence to deal with the full spectrum of customers – some of whom have very valuable art collections. 8 Bells’ clientele includes royalty!

Beanie thinks that design choice is so important when talking to customers. The gallery buys in almost all of their mouldings as chop. This takes away their concerns about which moulding they have in stock and allows them to choose from a very wide palette.

Beanie is optimistic about the future and is looking forward to taking over the running of the gallery when Mark retires at some point in the future.

“Post lockdown, lots of people – including younger generations are spending money on their homes. Taking pride in their interiors. And this has resulted in a strong demand for framing.”

8bg.co.uk

Harriet Wallington

Harriet Wallington