Old timey photograph of a group of seven people standing in front of a shop window, some wearing T-shirts with 'Framers Workshirt' printed on them.

A Storied History

Framers’ Workshop has been proudly framing since 1976.

While a lot has changed since then, our commitment to excellence and creating a warm and welcoming space never will

Old old black and white photograph of three men at the original frame shop location, examining artwork or photographs on a table. The room has framed pictures on the wall and studio lighting. 
The current owner started in the shop as a teen!
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A black and white photo of a young man with a hat and a graphic t-shirt smiling and extending his hand, inside a frame with a gold ball pin and frame samples in the background.
A man and woman standing inside a frame shop, smiling, with framing samples on the wall behind them.
The original frame shop owner, a man smiling behind a red T-shirt that reads 'FRAMERS, WORKSHIRT' hanging on a laundry line with clothespins.
An old image of the owner sitting cross-legged on the floor of the construction site of the workshop, surrounded by wooden planks and construction materials.
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Mike, the original owner
Three people in an framing studio engaged in conversation with artworks on the wall behind them, painting supplies, and artwork references scattered around. 
Vintage DIY Instructions
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Step-by-step instructions for creating a picture frame, including assembling the frame, gluing glass, backing, and art, then joining and supporting the parts with screws and wire.
Exterior of a brick building with large display windows filled with artwork, and signs reading "DO-IT-YOURSELF" and "FRAMERS WORKSHOP," on a street with leafless trees and sidewalk. 
Our old location, also in Brookline Village!
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A female employee with shoulder-length gray hair smiling in a kitchen, wearing a white blouse.

Dawn

Framer since 1976

Dawn is one of our OG framers and we are endlessly grateful for her wisdom, patience, calm presence and incredible framing skills. You name it, she has framed it! She is our go to framer for challenging fiber pieces. Dawn studied fashion design at Garland Jr College, worked as a costume designer and enjoys needlework and batiking among other fiber arts.  She also received her teaching degree from UMass Amherst and worked at several after school programs. Dawn says that the thing that keeps her coming back to the Frameshop for almost 50 years is because it feels like a family. Dawn has 8 grandchildren and lives in Melrose with her husband.  

Pronouns: she/her
Fave Animal: Giraffe

A female employee smiling in an art studio, wearing a black apron over a black t-shirt, standing at a wooden table with a large white art board.

Beth

Framer since 2005

Beth Attended Mass Art for Animation and co-organizes an annual animation festival with her longtime partner Alan Jennings. When not expertly framing art at the shop Beth likes to travel, eat good food (like tacos), watch B movies from the 80’s and 90’s, go kayaking and surround herself with art. Beth was drawn to The Framers’ Workshop because she was eager to learn a new skill and enjoys working with her hands. Before long she was one of our expert level framers and keeps our motley crew organized. Beth has made lifelong friends in her 20 years at the shop and says it feels like her home.

Pronouns: she/her
Fave Animal: Bat

A person with long curly hair and glasses giving two thumbs up while standing behind a desk in an office or art studio with framed artwork, color sample samples, and a calendar on the wall.

Sean

Framer since 2012

Sean is an accomplished illustrator and animator who also attended Mass Art (@manduuusa). In their downtime Sean enjoys playing video games, board games, organizing group game nights with their partner Fe and snuggling their cats Pinto & Sebastian. Sean enjoys being surrounded by a community of friends, artists and art appreciators. They enthusiastically (and patiently) help people find the perfect frame for their artwork. Sean’s epic sense of style, knowledge of frames and friendly demeanor is an integral part of the Framers’ Workshop experience.

Pronouns: they/them
Fave Animal: Resplendent Quetzal

A young man with curly blonde hair wearing a brown velvety jacket, gray T-shirt, and ripped blue jeans, standing inside a frame shop surrounded by various colorful picture frame samples on display.

Sonny

Framer since 2021

Sonny graduated from Mass Art with a major in painting and loves making pop culture portraits (@sonnypaintings). He lives in Dorchester with his puggle Maggie, and mini cavapoo, Tucker. When he’s not framing, you can find him painting, watching movies, cooking, and going for walks with his pups. He likes working at the shop because it’s hands on and there is always something different to do. Sonny shines bright in the workshop and welcomes everyone with kindness and a warm smile.

Pronouns: he/him
Fave Animal: Giraffe

Hall of fame framer preparing a canvas cloth with archival materials

Hall of
Framer!

Julian

Framer since 1976
Retired since 2021

Julian is a prolific surrealist painter (julianlanda.com) who assisted thousands of DIYers in his many years at the shop. One of his most famous catchphrases is “take it home and hang it up!” He lives in Arlington with his wife and a human skeleton named Bonaparte. 

Pronouns: he/him
Fave Animal: Mystery

A smiling woman in a red sweater and blue apron standing behind a work counter in an art or framing shop, with shelves of artwork and framing supplies in the background.

Ciara

Framer since 2025

Ciara is our newest picture framer and has already made a big impact at the shop. A painter and sculptor, Ciara is another graduate of Mass Art. She lives around the corner from the shop with 3 human roommates and Francis Bacon aka Frank the Cat. She says that working at the shop is the perfect blend of all of her artistic interests and is especially honored to help customers preserve their memories and art.

Pronouns: she/her
Fave Animal: Cat

A man is holding an oval art piece featuring a green zombie-like creature with claws, wearing a plaid shirt and hat, set against a colorful background with leaves.

Justin Lampka

Framer since 1997
Owner since 2012

Justin, our fearless leader, started working at the shop at the tender age of 19. He grew up in Brookline and attended MassArt, majoring in SIM (Studio for Interrelated Media). In 2012 Justin purchased Framers’ Workshop from his longtime friend and mentor Micheal Dudgeon. Justin lives in Roslindale with his wife Sarah (a fellow entrepreneur - check out her organizing business: Monarch Organizing), their son Jude and crazy puppy Oscar. When not at work Justin likes to help Sarah with endless house and garden projects, attend Boabom classes, eat plenty of pierogies + tacos + kimchi + ramen + nacos and occasionally sketch and paint. He feels honored to carry on this legacy business and could not do it without his talented staff, loyal customers, and supportive family.

Pronouns: he/him
Fave Animal: Baby Goat

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Colorful watercolor painting of an interior scene with a tall plant with red flowers in a decorative pot, a small table with a lamp, a window with yellow curtains, and a wall clock, signed by B. Hillwong.
Colorful abstract illustration titled 'Jungle Cat,' featuring a lounging tiger surrounded by stylized blue, pink, purple, green, and yellow trees and plants, with a pink frame.