Nancy Schwab CPF - owner

Having majored in art in both high school and college, Nancy, who comes from a family of artists, found the art and picture framing business to be a natural.   With her children well on their way she opened The Artful Framer in 1978 and finds it to be constantly fun, interesting and challenging.  She is very proud of her extraordinary staff, which she calls “family, the best to be found anywhere” and the way they continue her philosophy of good customer service and framing excellence. Read on:

Mary Shimko  CPF- general manager,  in charge of custom framing and everything else!

Mary came to us in 1988 and became general manager in 1991. Besides knowing everything about the entire shop, she manages all the custom framing.  There is no design too difficult for her to expedite nor challenge she cannot solve.  She fixes everything, including our cars, phone lines, plumbing, leaks, old equipment and our personal problems, all while remembering everything that has transpired each day.  She is also our inspiration and good friend.

Scott came to us in 1987 and, with a few sabbaticals, we are all very happy that he is here.  A man of many talents, he attended Tyler School of Art, has a beautiful solo voice, has acted in many productions, is very athletic and keeps us laughing with his true to life voice impersonations.  Besides being Mary’s right hand in custom framing, Scott has recently developed an incredible ability to restore old, damaged and discolored photographs.

Kathleen “Murfee” Aceto - framing design, childrens' art show and window/gallery set-up

Murfee began working for us in 1979 after joining one of our evening painting classes.  A well-known local watercolor painter, Murfee designs the gallery walls and windows and is excellent at helping customers with their framing designs.   Being an RN, she  takes care of all our cuts and bruises.  In 1997 she and Sheila Kellogg started the popular "KIDS ARE ARTISTS, TOO" annual art show in our shop.

Jim Bakken - framing design, computer entry

Jim came to our shop in1979, just four months after we opened and he has been in Saturday sales, with a sabbatical now and then, ever since.  Jim is a  talented framing designer with a good sense of humor, who loves to work with customers.  He majored in art education, has designed jewelry and has a keen interest in the arts.  He has been a tremendous help in the endless computer entries.

Shawn Kilgallon - computer web expert, and framing designer

Shawn, here only on Saturdays, is “the new kid on the block”, coming to us in 2007 and are we lucky!  With his computer skills, he enhanced this web site to make it shine and gets us out of any computer trouble.  Although he studied architecture at Temple and fine art at Montgomery County Community College, he is currently sharing his creative talents with The Philadelphia Horticultural Society as Project Coordinator, turning abandoned spaces into beautiful community gardens.

Janet Thomas - framing designer, custom framing and commercial art sales  

Janet came to The Artful Framer in September 1998, having graduated from Moore College of Art and The PA Academy of Fine Arts.  She is a skilled painter in all media but prefers watercolor.  Being a lover of animals, she especially enjoys painting them as well as beautiful landscapes and custom  portraits of our customers’ homes.  Janet excels in stone sculpture and has exhibited her works in many shows.

Gail Trainer  CPF- framing designer, custom framing and exquisite calligrapher

Fred Wampler  CPF - custom framer

Fred joined The Artful Framer in 1995 upon retiring from banking.  A man of many talents and a keen sense of humor, he keeps the back room lively.  Fred, who has a beautiful solo voice, is the past president of The Orpheus Club as well as a former member of Savoy.  He loves anything to do with the arts, theater and acting and is trained as a professional auctioneer and appraiser.

Cori Cross - framing designer, custom framing and commercial art sales

Cori arrived at our shop in1989, after working for The City of Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture.  She graduated from The University of The Arts and began her painting career in watercolor, oil and acrylic.  Cori exhibits her work locally and is known for her commissioned murals and hand-painted furniture.  She has been teaching art at Main Line School Night for many years and gives private painting lessons.

Joanne Carothers  CPF- designer, custom framer, commercial sales, POS designer

Joanne, who came to the Artful Framer in 2002, received her BA in art studies followed by three years post graduate print making. She is a very talented practicing painter and print maker from her studio in Phoenixville, has exhibited in galleries and participates in national and international shows. She is a member in the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, American Print Alliance and The Southern Graphics Council while managing a family of six.

Emily Cohen - custom framing and framing designer