Gunning for Success

Front of Ironbridge Fine Arts Wedding dress

Jenny, Ryan and Sarah Ironbridge Fine Arts & Framing is a family run business situated in the picturesque Shropshire town of its namesake. It was founded to be a hub for art lovers and enthusiasts, and to incorporate local culture and history. Ironbridge is a World Heritage Site.

As these photos show, the Ironbridge premises are an artform in their own right. Stunning materials, amazing lighting and beautiful design providing home to a gallery space that is open to the public, print workshop, rentable artist studio space and a dedicated framing area. At the heart of the business is the Gunning family. Director and Guild Certified Framer Sarah Morris, her sister, director and specialist printmaker Jenny Gunning, and their parents Liz and Dave Gunning collectively possess an inspirational array and amount of talent.

In the frame

Apart from framing, Sarah delivers best in class Giclee printing and ArtSure registration, high resolution scanning and digital editing, printing and limited print registration; assisted by framer Ryan Hartland and framing assistant Georgie Russell.

Like many framers, Sarah and the team rethought their business model under lockdown which allowed them to refocus on their biggest priorities and identify where the most commercial opportunities lay. “The significant growth in larger pieces suggested the potential for more space – and this ambitious approach has certainly paid off!” Sarah told 4walls. Sarah, Ryan and Georgie not only frame large artwork, they also frame clothing.

Sarah says: “The different elements of the business are very complementary and not surprisingly an artist might come to us for framing, see our digital printing facilities and then use us for their limited editions.” She is passionate about her work and loves the fact that every job is unique in its own way. “That’s what keeps it fun!”

Sarah is loving her new consultation space which allows her scope to show customers the extent of their range of options. She loves to experiment: “Why play safe?!” Yet demonstrating quality remains a top priority: “It can sometimes be hard to explain the price of premium mouldings but I find the more I can give customers choices, the more they understand. And the more a moulding can contribute in terms of texture, colour and aesthetics, the easier it becomes to show the value of buying quality.”

Sarah’s favourite mouldings include LarsonJuhl’s Anvil, with its industrial texture, and Colosseum - which is a perfect match for Picasso’s work, she says! Sevilla is another popular range: “The silver, white and brown Sevilla are so versatile working with lots of different mediums; so beautiful and very elegant, and it is great for larger commissions, like giving wedding dresses a stylish, special context.

Showcasing Brittany “I love Prague because of its exquisite finish; perfectly carved and gold/silver leaf gilding. I recently used it to frame a beautiful series of eight abstract pastels.”

“And finally Brittany - A rustic moulding, done perfectly! We love the colours and profiles chosen for this range which works brilliantly with textured oils and contemporary works alike.

Given Sarah’s dynamism and love of all things visual, it is no surprise that she is a fan of Instagram: “I can’t believe how much work it brings in! And it is so exciting to see a story’s engagement take off!”

“I also want to sing the praises of Larson-Juhl’s mountboard. It is a world apart to be honest, and while I have tried others, I always come back to Larson-Juhl’s range: the way they cut, the way they look, the way they last, the way they feel. It’s the best!”

Ryan at work

For more information: go to ironbridgeframing.co.uk and follow Sarah, Jenny and the family on Instagram and Facebook @ironbridgefinearts.

Family facts

Dave and Liz Gunning founded Gunning Arts Limited in the 1980s. This now runs alongside Ironbridge Fine Arts & Framing. Dave Gunning is a prolific artist with artwork in many prestigious collections across the world including 110 etchings in Her Majesty the Queen’s private collection and two large drawings hanging in the Houses of Parliament. He has had more than 70 one man shows and has many exhibitions booked for years to come.

Liz Gunning is the ceramicist of the gallery, creating incredible works of art and functional ware as well as offering workshops and one-to-one tuition. She has a beautiful pottery studio and creates the most wonderful fine art sculptures and ceramics. Liz’s hares are her trademark and she thrives on making and selling in the Ironbridge Gorge. Liz is also a qualified

Ironbridge studio

spiritual healer and offers counselling, healing sessions and many art workshops based around pottery and therapy.

Jenny graduated from Cheltenham & Gloucester University in 2004 and has a degree in Specialist Printmaking. Upon leaving university, Jenny set up her own business which evolved into Ironbridge Fine Arts & Framing. Jenny has extensive experience in many forms of printmaking and her passion for printmaking and etching inspires all who meet her.

Prague 674 077

Sarah Morris Jenny Gunning

Skirt