My Biz: Cedar Rapids frame shop melds art and woodworking

Robert Fox, photographic artist and gallery owner, knows the importance of integrating the artist within with a business methodology.

In the fall of 2003, Fox bought the former Mote Brothers Frame Shop downtown, renamed it The Modern Gallery and Framing Co., and began showcasing his abilities as an artist and experienced woodworker creating custom frames.

His years working for the University of Iowa's photo service department, coupled with 20-plus years of commercial woodworking, contributed to the perfect experience platform for launching his new frame/gallery format.

'Coming into this, I knew the money was going to be made on the framing side of the business, but the gallery idea just made it even more fun,' Fox explained.

While his own black and white photography was always available, he had rarely displayed it. Fox said he is a business man by nature.

'I approach this all from a little different point,' he said. 'Being an artist, who deals with artists, I came at this from the business and the artist's standpoint. That gives me a little different perspective.

'Some people just design a frame. They want that frame to look good, but what I work to do is to take the object we are framing and make it look good. We try to make it look better without overpowering the piece.'

When it comes to framing original art, the use of white mats dominates because the goal is to 'present the art' as the focal point.

'Framing decorative things are handled a little bit differently, of course,' he noted. 'There are ways to make something look better or more important by putting a frame on it and that is what we endeavor to do here.'

Fox said he frames a 'lot of good original art,' but he also has done many keepsakes, collectibles, flags and needlework for his returning customer base.

'Right now I'm working on a box/frame combination for a pre-prohibition Magnus beer bottle for a collector,' he said. 'This bottle has its original paper label. Those aren't that common anymore.'

Fox said he sees a change in the industry toward professional framers.

'It is really important to be a professional and take pride in what you do and pay attention to how things look by designing and making that really good frame,' he said.

The creative side of the artist within him is never far away.

'I'm a framer and I like designing,' he added, 'but I've got to have fun with it. If I can't have fun with it, what's the point.'

AT A GLANCE

Business: The Modern Gallery and Framing Co.

Owner: Robert Fox

Address: 701 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids

Telephone: (319) 366-7311

Website: www.the-modern-gallery.com

Facebook: Modern Gallery and Frame

Know a company in business for more than a year that would make a great My Biz? Contact George C. Ford at george.ford@thegazette.com