Frame Center

In Helpful Resources

The History of Frame Center: Looking Back, While Moving Forward

Like most successful businesses, Frame Center filled a void in the market. But the company’s evolution into a business that’s still going strong four decades later is a testament to its owners—both past and present.

Frame Center under construction circa 1985

Humble Beginnings

You may know Frame Center in Hanover as THE place to go for custom framing, but rewind to 1975—a time before digital photography and phones with cameras. It was in this era that Bill Petty, a former stockbroker, saw an opportunity and decided to open a frame shop literally in his own backyard. Originally operating out of a barn in Kingston, Bill used his frugal nature and tenacious spirit to build a brand that has become a trusted partner to local artists and is recognized as the premier custom framing shop in the region.

In order to get established, Bill’s philosophy was to offer the best prices around for framing. He was very hands-on and involved in every decision. This approach served him well and the business steadily gained traction and begin to grow. By the early 80s, Frame Center had outgrown its humble beginnings and moved to its current location in Hanover.

The Next Generation

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

So, what’s the secret to their success? Along with an unwavering commitment to quality, Frame Center employees have always played a critical role in the company’s success. The team-like culture among the staff promotes mutual respect, and all are valued for what they bring to the table.

This diverse group of design consultants, all of whom are artists themselves, use their deep expertise to find solutions to any framing challenge while offering highly personalized service to each individual customer. That combination of knowledge and service has created a loyal customer base that has been coming to Frame Center for years.

The Best of Both Worlds

Bill laid the groundwork to establish Frame Center and even though he has turned the reins over to Dave, he is still called upon to consult on occasion. Dave welcomes Bill’s advice and has built upon the founding values to grow the company in new directions. He continues to share his vision for the future with his dad because he wants him to be a part of the company’s evolution. Both lead from the heart, and who knows, maybe one day Dave’s children will continue that tradition for the next generation.

In Featured Artists

Lara Williams

Encaustic Artist

From Hull, MA

“That’s where I go to be mindful.”

– Lara Williams, on the landscapes that inspire her

Lara Williams is an encaustic artist based in Hull, MA. Working in heated beeswax and tree resin, she builds up layers of wax, embeds cut papers and her own photographs, then carves and scrapes back into the surface to create abstract landscapes that echo the quiet rhythms of the earth. Many pieces begin on walks, where she photographs and sketches the places that inspire her before developing them in the studio.

Lara grew up on Long Island, studied fine art at SUNY Plattsburgh, and showed in the Boston and Cambridge art scene before moving to the South Shore. She discovered encaustic in 2019 and now works from her home studio and the ET Wright Building in Rockland. Her solo shows include Unearthed at the Norwell Public Library, Rooted at South Shore Conservatory and Restorative Places at the Paul Pratt Library, and she has twice won Best in Show at the Hull Artists Members Show. She is a member of the International Encaustic Association, Hull Artists, North River Arts Society and South Shore Art Center.