Frames in harmony with your decor at Yandina Art & Framing

Business Directory

7 Apr

RECENT events have given people a chance to contemplate the nature of how society works and how the economy is connected to our daily lives. The drive for ever-lower costs in a world where consumption is king has had profound effects. One consequence in Australia has seen the rise of products being supplied from the new manufacturing powerhouses centred around China and Asia generally. Manufacturing in Australia has gone through some significant changes as a result. The COVID-19 crisis is giving us all pause for thought about the wisdom of having all our supply chain eggs in a single basket. A case in point is Yandina Art and Framing. Proprietor Bill Gissane explains. “The business opened in 1995 with Brian Curry at the helm. Brian’s ethos was providing superior quality work with a dedication to ensuring the frame was in harmony with the décor of the customer’s home or business,” Bill said. “When my wife and I bought the business five years ago it was for the purpose of having my son continue in Brian’s footsteps. An incident three years ago prevented him from continuing working, and we were able to attract local artist and artisan Alice Graham to take over the management. As the managing partner, Alice has been an inspiration. Alice’s years in framing and her eye for colour and composition have burnished the reputation Brian initiated decades ago.” Bill had no direct experience in framing but 40 years as a working engineer and manager in manufacturing allowed him to bring planning and business acumen to this Sunshine Coast Hinterland gem. He has even obtained a Certificate 3 in picture framing and works in with Alice’s dedicated staff of three local women. “Bill’s contribution to the business has been in having us all think about what sort of future we want and how we make it a reality,” Alice said. “He’s always ensuring we follow a systematic approach. But I have to keep him in line with the precise and delicate nature of our work. We have a vision for Yandina as a haven for the arts community and aim to be big part of that future.” As for the current crisis, the business is not letting restrictions prevent customers from having their artworks adorned. As would be expected from such a creative group, imagination and boldness are to the fore. A revamped on-line website is being developed and consultations are offered using all the technological avenues available. FaceTime, Skype, Zoom and the many other forms of virtual communication offer new ways for Alice and her team to assess and offer framing alternatives while showing the biggest stock of moulding samples in the district. In addition, on-line ordering and sampling will form part of Yandina Art and Framing’s offering. The most exciting development sees local artists having their work offered for sale directly or on-line. This will open the possibility for high quality prints in addition to the original works and a virtually unlimited catalogue of stock prints. “Picture framing has been in existence since the Egyptians, right through the Byzantine Empire gold framed icons, the magnificence of Renaissance works and now right up to today’s hand-crafted frames,” Alice said. “We see ourselves inheriting that tradition. With the realisation that buying locally-made items is better value than cheap imports, we see COVID-19 as an opportunity to allow everyone to have high quality work in their home or business at a reasonable price.” Yandina Art and Framing is located in the heart of quaint Yandina village at 7 Stevens St. While not able to accommodate customers in their showroom for the moment, they offer free pickup and delivery and are available for your phone enquiry on 5446 8000 or via email alice@yandinaartframing. com.au. The website is www.yandinaartframing.com