Art framing services ranging from framing a child's handicraft to creating custom-designed frames for museum-quality pieces are available from a new business opened by four owners with years of art experience.
AllmanArt, located on the I-15 frontage road at 925 S. 1950 West, Springville, provides custom, hand-gilded frames to the public as well as a wide selection of commercial frame moldings. The business is also offering paintings, limited edition prints and bronze sculptures for sale. If customers want a specific kind of art, the business will find art pieces for them with descriptions such as subject matter, dimensions or color in mind.
"We don't know of another gallery in the state that has the full service like we do," said Bill Bleggi, one of AllmanArt's co-owners. The business celebrated its grand opening at the beginning of November.
AllmanArt is capitalizing on the experience of its four owners to present its wide variety of services. Bleggi, Curt Allman, Monte Allman and Steve Hasler have many years of background in various aspects of framing and art brokerage.
Central to the new business's operation is Curt Allman, owner and manager of Allman Picture Frames in Springville. Allman Picture Frames specializes in hand-made, gilded picture frames that have been made for artists throughout the world. Through AllmanArt, these frames are now available to the general public.
The woodwork for these frames is done at another location in Springville, and the gold-leafing and assembly of the frames is done in the AllmanArt building, Bleggi said.
Customers can literally design their frames from the ground up, deciding what colors to bring out and what decorative accents to use. Many techniques are available to match the custom frames to art pieces. Prices vary greatly, from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending upon what the customer wants.
For those on a more limited budget, AllmanArt offers a large selection of commercial moldings ranging in price from a couple of dollars per foot to $40 or $50 per foot. Bleggi brings his experience in framing to this aspect of the business. He has operated the Blue Wing Studio in Mapleton for several years, doing custom framing in his Mapleton shop.
With its custom framing facilities, AllmanArt can do some manipulation and enhancement of its commercial moldings. The business also has the flexibility to serve a wide variety of needs, from framing one piece to framing an entire show for an artist.
"We can go from a one-person thing to a commercial contract," Bleggi said.
The business can also frame items such as needlework or create shadow boxes to showcase heirlooms or mementos.
"Our goal is to do everything in full conservation," Bleggi said.
Materials used are acid-free, he said, and glass with UV protection can help reduce the chance of fading. A framing process is used that is reversible, meaning the frame can be taken apart and the piece will be exactly as it was before it was framed, he said.
Hasler is providing his experience in art dealing to AllmanArt; he is owner of William Duncan Gallery, Park City, and manages Main Street Art in Salt Lake City.
Regular business hours for AllmanArt are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Appointments may be made by calling 491-0240.