Getting to know Get Framed Armidale
Kim Carruthers is bringing a unique combination of art and culture, printing and gifting to the streets of Armidale. Best described as a solution provider for your printing, framing and artistic needs, Get Framed Armidale and The Gallery offers both custom and ready-made frames, photography and fine art printing, as well as a gallery space to celebrate emerging and established artists right here on Anaiwan Country.
Kim Curruthers pictured with New England artist Andrea Gledhill.
FOUND Regional recently chatted with Kim about how the four key offerings of this exciting new business come together at Get Framed Armidale.
Custom and ready-made framing
Framing art is a very personal subject matter to many people. You can choose to frame whatever when creating your own bespoke collection, there really are no hard and fast rules. That same thought process applies when it comes to the framing part, too. You can mix and match custom and ready-made frames – combine something sleek and modern with something bold and ornate. We purchase our materials for framing from multiple national suppliers and are in partnership with a small business who makes all our ready made frames from Australian timber, which we can offer with both pre-cut and custom-mount boards. When it comes to your choice of glass, we have a whole range available and our recommendations will be based on the type of artwork you’re framing and where it’s going to be hung. If it’s going to live in an area that gets a lot of sun, for example, we’d suggest our UV protective glass. Working together with my mother who has over 17 years’ experience in the framing industry, while also working as an established artist herself, Robyn is well-placed to help our clients on their framing solutions to suit all styles and budgets.
Large format, fine art and photography printing
This is where my extensive background in graphic design and printing comes into the mix. Once upon a time, I was responsible for Video Ezy’s promotional print materials as the brand’s NSW Northern Rivers Franchisee Marketing Manager, and also worked in packaging design in Sydney. That experience lends itself well to my latest role, where I’m thrilled to provide a printing-to-dropship service for clients and artists throughout the region, using the latest equipment available. Our Epson wide format printer (24”) boasts amazing print quality thanks to its 11 ink, ultra-high resolution output. That, teamed with our premium archival paper, photograph paper and canvases, means we can reproduce fine art prints and photographs to the highest of standards – as well as offering reproductions of artworks and retouched photographs. Not so long ago, people in our region would have to send away for these services, but we saw something was missing and knew our incredibly creative, local community deserved these services on the ground. With us you can print, mount and frame your beloved artworks or photographs in one go – and that’s something I’m really excited about. As a side note – we also offer small scale corporate and private printing. So if your local business needs conference materials, booklets or presentation slides, your visiting friends are after some printing, or you need that sewing pattern printed on a large scale, we’re here to help with that, too!
The Gallery by Get Framed Armidale
This is where my passion lies – giving emerging and established artists a space to exhibit. Growing up with mum, I’ve been exposed to artistic pursuits my whole life and know how important it is to provide artists with a space to showcase their work, build their collection and, ultimately, their reputation. Our gallery will proudly host intimate, ‘Meet the Artist’ nights for each new launch, along with a limited print run of their artworks and postcards. I knew our location, which features large, street-facing windows, is also the perfect setting for a modern gallery space, too. My wonderful friend and long-term supporter, Andrea Gledhill, was our opening exhibitor and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the night and to celebrate Andrea’s exhibition. We’re looking forward to hosting many more in the future, so watch this space!
Kimmie’s cupboard of curiosities
Yes, it’s literally a cupboard! And it’s bursting with beautiful products I’ve sourced from makers and creators, near and far – anything I’ve spotted on my travels that brings me joy. Some of the brands we’re currently carrying include Polka Polly Earrings (Brisbane), Shovava Scarves (Byron Bay), Rainbow Fin earrings (Cairns), House of Jackson (Armidale), Aroma Pot candles (Hewett), Duchess of Sweet rocky road (Brisbane) and my own creative brand, TobuKimmie – handcrafted and bespoke upcycled necklaces, headwear and finger knitted scarves. So next time you’re on the hunt for a unique gift, be sure to drop in and check out my latest discoveries.
Here to help
Need something printed or framed, a photograph retouched or a unique gift for a friend? Kim and Robyn have got you covered.
Shop 45, Armidale Plaza Shopping Centre. Entrance on Dangar Street.
