Frame Gallery has tripled its size by expanding into the vacant space next door at its location on Sollace M. Freeman Highway in Sewanee (near the intersection of Hwy. 41A and University Avenue in the Sewanee Station building). Within this larger footprint, the Sewanee Art Works studio is moving into Frame Gallery for its classes and workshops.

“I am beyond excited to welcome Sewanee Art Works into our expanded space,” said Frame Gallery owner Harriet Runkle. “Frame Gallery has hosted exhibits of these artists’ work for the past five years and they are an important part of our success.”

When Sells Sweets Bakery moved out of the space next door to Frame Gallery, Runkle started thinking about how this might be an opportunity for her and her business.

“Our space to do framing was very cramped,” she said. “And my retail offerings have expanded, creating an even greater space crunch.” Runkle said she started dreaming and imagining what could happen if she took on the additional area.

When she opened Frame Gallery, her goals were to continue to offer high-quality custom framing, provide a space for local artists to sell and show their work, and to provide art workshops, particularly for children drawing on her early childhood teaching experience. She knew the only way she could accomplish her third goal was to get more space and find a partner to help get art workshops going.

Artist and teacher Martha Keeble has given art lessons for more than 30 years, including for the past year at Sewanee Art Works, which was located in the old dry cleaners building that was home to Lumière restaurant.

After David Boyd Williams, owner of Lumière, died suddenly in May, his family allowed Keeble to stay in the building as it was put up for sale. “John Williams [David’s brother] has been so generous to me,” Keeble said, “but I knew the space could change at any moment. When Harriet started talking about her new space and invited me in, I knew this was the right next step for Sewanee Art Works.”

This collaboration comes after many years of friendship between the two women. Runkle has hosted shows of Keeble’s students’ paintings many times in the past five years. And the two of them would often sit at Lumière and dream about the future of the creative arts in the Sewanee business area with David Boyd Williams.

Frame Gallery is now poised to achieve all of Runkle’s goals for the business.

With help from artist Connie Keetle, who does custom framing, Runkle is focused on strengthening the services she currently offers and bringing on some new ones.

“Custom framing is the foundation of the business, and we continue to enjoy framing up our customer's art and the creative challenges they bring to us,” she said. “Having local artists in the shop and hosting events to celebrate them has also helped build our customer base and a meaningful connection to the community." By adding art workshops to her offerings, she knows that she can live into her commitment in providing a space for art to thrive.

For the new year, Runkle also wants to grow her upholstery offerings from custom pillows and cushions, which she currently offers, to furniture repair and larger upholstery projects. “I am grateful to live in a community that loves and appreciates art, and I am eager to see how Frame Gallery can continue to support that love.”