Drake Music Conservatory inside Smith Fine Art Gallery
This second installment of “Have Art…Will Travel” takes us to a local landmark just across the river from Harrisburg to the now-arrived hipster borough of New Cumberland.
January travel can be as unpredictable as keeping New Year’s resolutions. But to ensure safe passage on your travels, I decided to play it close to the vest. Mere minutes from Midtown, you will find the destination, the home of The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing. Hop in.
Framing Your Life
When one pulls up to The Smith Gallery, the first impression is “Art”—with a capital “A.”
On the building’s exterior wall, “framing” its entrance, is a picture-postcard collage featuring artwork from a few of the area’s well-known local artists. The subliminal message sent—this is a destination that takes its art seriously—is a personal invitation from proprietress, Debbie Smith.
Socrates, thousands of years ago, shared that “the way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” That’s the very foundation that Debbie Smith has built her business on, frame by frame. She has been the sole owner for 25 years, taking over operations after her father passed. What started in 1987 primarily as a frame shop for custom work has since grown into an art mecca under her leadership. The motto above the building’s doorway says it all, “Purveyors of Fine Art, Framers of Distinction.”
Arriving at our destination, we couldn’t deny art’s role in every nook and cranny, never far from mind or reach. By Debbie’s count, the gallery represents 30 artists. Reputation is what she hangs her hat on or, in her case, her signature eyewear.
When meeting Debbie, one of the first things people notice are the stylish specs that frame her face. They dramatically change daily, dependent upon the color choice of her wardrobe. They have become synonymous with her persona that is full of “P’s and Q’s.” She is poised, precise, polished and professional. As for the “Q,” you may need to “queue” up in line as the customer counter can become quite congested for the “quality” service that Smith delivers with each and every order.
That quotidian quality stems from surrounding herself with skilled strategists and tacticians. The team shares an esprit-de-corps, unifying them in a common goal.
Nancy is Smith’s right-hand woman. A trained carpenter, she knows what is required in all aspects, from frame molding, matting, glazing and assemblage. For 10 years, she has carried out Debbie’s vision to a “T.” Assisting them in the gallery shop is Elaine, an artist herself who specializes in working with clients on specific needs. In addition are Mallory, who employs “conservation techniques,” and Mariah, who is “a seasoned custom framing designer.” Lastly is the owner’s mother, confidante and inspiration, Polly Smith. A retired music teacher from New Cumberland, Polly is a fixture at the grand piano for art receptions in the spacious Drake Gallery, the music conservatory room.
Together, they form a team to create a powerhouse presentation, both in the showroom and backstage. The Smith Gallery is all about family and making memories, capturing them forever under glass. Debbie learned the trade and art of framing from her father, her best friend and mentor. Working with the public came as a natural extension of her extroverted personality, just as she mastered the technical end of the business. Clients range from walk-ins like us, sent there by recommendation for small custom work orders, to powerhouse players like the Milton Hershey School, which required a major overhaul of art and pictures placed throughout the students’ homes on campus.
For a business that started solely as a frame shop, Debbie Smith has grown it into two-thirds framing and one-third art, pushing the boundaries of the latter to the foreground. In our area, it has become the go-to shop for archival restoration, preservation and conservation. Customers trust Debbie’s instincts, and artists value her attention to creating the niche appeal that will set their art apart.
The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing is poised for its next quarter century. It is evident that Debbie’s tomorrows hold a horizon waiting to be explored and, in her own words, “I will be eternally grateful to my mom and dad, to my staff and to my customers for wanting to be the best I can be by giving the best product and service there is.” Just like the sign above the door reads, that says it all.
The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing is located at 190 Reno Ave., New Cumberland. For more information, visit www.smithcustomframing.com.
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