East Cobb Biz Scene: 50th anniversary for Frameworks Gallery

Frameworks Gallery 50th anniversary
Diane Spencer, co-founder of Frameworks Gallery, which is marking its 50th anniversary.

Thursday will be a special day at Frameworks Gallery.

The East Cobb art gallery and frame shop is marking the start of its 50th anniversary in business with a new exhibition, “Symphony of Colors,” that will run through Oct. 18.

The opening reception on Thursday lasts from 6-8 p.m. (1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 110).

The special show features the work of four artists who’ve had their work displayed at Frameworks in the pas: Pat Fiorello, Marsha Savage, Barbara Royal, and Judie Jacobs.

Founded by sisters Diane Spencer and the late Sunny Walker, Frameworks Gallery is a fixture not just in the local art and business scene, but also the larger civic community.

In April we spoke to Spencer about her initiative to raise funds for a special garden at East Cobb Park to honor Walker, a leading figure in the creation of the park.

What’s to be called “Sunny’s Butterfly Garden” is getting underway under the auspices of the East Cobb Garden Club, part of the all-volunteer Friends for the East Cobb Park.

Frameworks has been in East Cobb all along, and moved into its present space  in the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center 20 years ago.

Walker passed away in 2019, and Spencer has kept the business in the family, with her son running the framing operation.

The artists featured in “Symphony of Colors” have distinguished backgrounds in the local arts scene.

Fiorello’s work was selected as Best Floral in the April 2023 PleinAir Salon competition sponsored by PleinAir Magazine, and she’s the author of a book, “Bella Italia, Italy Through the Eyes of an Artist.”

Savage has been an artist for more than 50 years, specializing in landscape painting. Her work has been displayed at the Georgia State Capitol and she has been entered in many local and regional art shows.

Royal paints landscapes and abstract works, and is a member of the High Museum of Art of Atlanta.

A member of the metro Atlanta artist community for more than 40 years, Jacob is a painter, ceramic sculptor and mixed media specialist.

Parading around

Saturday’s EAST COBBER parade and festival (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes some local businesses. Here’s a partial list of who you’ll see stepping down Johnson Ferry Road and/or having booths at the festival afterwards at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church:

  • Aqua-Tots East Cobb; Auto Accident Attorneys; Custom Disposal; Dance Stop Company; Just Fences Inc.; My Best Friend’s Vet; Neighborhood Tire Pros & Auto Service; Prime IV Hydration & Wellness; Sparkles Family Fun Center; Stretch Zone East Cobb; Ted’s Montana Grill; Willow Orthodontics.

The chief sponsor for the second year in a row is CertaPro Painters.

Festival x 2

Saturday’s going to be extra busy for The Auto Accident Attorneys Group. In addition to being a sponsor of the EAST COBBER event, AAA is holding its third annual Fall Kickoff Festival from 12-3 Saturday at its offices (1454 Johnson Ferry Road).

Admission is free, and the event features a live band, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses, shaved ice and food vendors. The sponsor is Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy.

Managing partner Jamie Salimi said it’s a community give-back event. Food and drinks are complimentary with a wristband while supplies last, and you’re asked to register online.

Business bootcamp

The Cobb County Business Bootcamp has launched, designed to help minority-owned small business owners.

Started by former East Cobb Business Association president Brian Kramer and other experienced local business leaders, the CCBB provides free start-up assistance to qualified applicants, with a focus on sales, marketing, operations, finance/legal, human resources and entrepreneurial evolution.

On Tuesday there will be a free workshop to go over the bootcamp program details to those interested.

It’s from 5-7 at the North Cobb Regional Library (3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw) and is free to attend. You’re asked to RSVP in advance at https://bit.ly/CCBBIdeaWorkshop9102024.

Since officially opening in March, CCBB has accepted more than 100 business owners as member participants. The goal is to have more than 300 owners on board by the end of the year.

Selected participants will have their scholarships paid for with funding from an American Recovery Program Act small- and minority-owned business grant through Cobb County government.

According to the CCBB website, “this membership covers all aspects of the program such as our online courses, peer-to-peer roundtables, access to our live events and the done-with-you services provided by our partners.”

“We want any minority small business owner in Cobb County to know we’re open, our services are free, and we are eager to help them succeed,” Kramer said in a release.

“One of our key differentiators is that CCBB is set up to help many types of businesses, from mom-and-pop startups in a home office or kitchen to retail businesses or franchises across the community.”

Related posts:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

 

Leave a Comment