Framerica's® Stainless moulding was used to frame a “gold record” presented to award-winning former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. The presentation was done by show host, Ryan Seacrest, and a group of fans during the show's live broadcast on April 9, 2008.
    Three framed pieces were presented to Sparks marking her various achievements—all done by Off the Wall Ltd., Inc., of Brick, NJ. Each of the designs was customized by Jody Rendemonti, Off the Walls's owner and chief designer. The awards acknowledged one million downloads of “Air,” one million downloads of “Tattoo,” and sales of a half million CDs.

Decor Moulding Launches New Website
Decor Moulding has launched a new, comprehensive and easy-to-use website at www.decormoulding.com. A major highlight is quick access to the new 180-page catalog featuring more than 2,000 styles of mouldings. By clicking on a particular style, a detailed image with dimensions is displayed for review. Searches can be done by style number, width, finish, or collection name. Pricing is also available in the customer log-in section. The website also includes monthly promotions and industry news.
    For more information, visit the website or call 800-937-1055.

Hartman Goes Green
Hartman has focused on an environmentally friendly process of manufacturing foamboards. Hartman has restructured its production process to be green friendly and to conform with stringent VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) rules. The manufacturing of HartBoard® does not emit harmful pollutants into the ozone layer. In addition, Hartman recycles and reuses all plastic trim in-house. All excess corrugated and various papers are bundled and sent out for recycling.
      Most HartBoard® products are composites of paper and plastic that cannot be separated to recycle. However, HartPlus®, Hartman's all-polystyrene foam-centered panel, is completely recyclable. Avoiding harmful byproducts at the manufacturing level is a priority for Hartman, and it will continue to search safer ways of production, reducing waste, recycling, and reusing materials.
    For more information, call 800-284-7114 or visit www.hartboard.com.

Wizard Offers Customer Loyalty Program
Wizard International, Inc. has announced the implementation of The Diamond Club, a loyalty program that rewards Wizard™ CMC rental customers for their long-time patronage. CMC Time Rental customers will be inducted into the Diamond Club after receipt of the first 30 months of rental payments. Monthly  fees will then be reduced by $100 for customers who rent the Wizard CMC model 8000 and $125 for those renting Wizard CMC models 8500 and 8500e.
    The program is retroactive and customers who have already reached Diamond Club status will be notified by Wizard. The company also offers MatDesigner®, IF Visualization and IF Retail Management software. For more information, visit www.wizardint.com or call 888-855-3335.

Larson-Juhl Sponsors O'Keeffe Exhibit
Larson-Juhl sponsored the recent exhibit, “Georgia O'Keeffe and the Women of the Stieglitz Circle,” at the High Museum in Atlanta, GA. It was co-organized by The High Museum of Art and Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, NM. This exhibit features O'Keeffe's iconic work alongside her artistic predecessors in the circle of her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz. The women of the Stieglitz Circle include Gertrude Käsebier, Anne Brigman, Pamela Coleman Smith, and Katharine Nash Rhoades.
    “An O'Keeffe Inspired Evening” for local Atlanta framers was hosted by Larson-Juhl on March 27 at The High Museum to thank customers for their business and meet with team members.
    For more information visit www.larsonjuhl.com or the museum's website, www.high.org.

Artaissance Hosts Student Visit           
Artaissance hosted a field trip for Margaret Fain Elementary School in Atlanta, GA, to introduce students to potential careers in art. The field trip took place at Artaissance's 18,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta. Visitors were able to tour the building and learn about graphic designing, color correcting, the image capturing process, and how high-quality art is reproduced on canvas and paper.
    The students watched as their own artwork was being reproduced through the system and were able to take home their very own Artaissance artwork. Some of the students are part of a dance group that tours throughout the Southeast, and they performed for the staff.
    Artaissance also supports the art efforts of Margaret Fain Elementary School through donations of time and supplies. For more information visit the website, www.artmystyle.com.

PPFA Framing Competitions Underway
PPFA Chapters are currently holding local Print and Open Framing Competitions for 2008. The contests are open to PPFA members only, and any framer is eligible to join.
     This year the print competition piece is “La Traviata,” a replica vintage Victorian necklace and pendant by artist Martha Kondratowicz. First, second, third, and honorable mention winners from each chapter advance to the PPFA International Print and Open Framing Competition at PPFA 2009, March 3-5 in Las Vegas, NV. The finals offer the chance to win $1,200 for first place, $600 for second place, and $300 for third place as well as Judges Awards. The "PPFA Framing Gallery" will be on display at the PPFA Annual Convention and PMA 09.
    To enter and order the print for framing, contact your local chapter leader. Or, if your area does not have a PPFA chapter, enter the “Mailbox” competition by sending print requests and final entries to the PPFA World Headquarters, 3000 Picture Place, Jackson, MI 49201. For more information, contact Heather Kelso at 800-762-9287, ext. 181, or send e-mail to her at hkelso@pmai.org.

LVI Offers Compo Book
LVI Publications has been selling the book Step by Step Compo and Mold Making worldwide since 1992. The book will be going out of print and will be offered as a digitized PDF over the Internet. Contact LVI through its website, www.lvipublications.com.

Roma Expands Sales Staff
Roma Moulding has made changes to its sales staff.
     Michael Israel has been promoted to western regional sales manager. He has been in the industry since 1980 and has worked as a framer, designer, manager, and consultant in both retail and wholesale venues. He has been with the company for eight years.
     Sam Woodruff has returned to Roma as southeastern regional sales manager. He has more than 23 years of industry experience.
    Both men can be reached at 800-263-2322.

Specialty Soft Presents Business Award
    Jeannette King, president of SpecialtySoft, developers of POS, visualization, and frame production software, presented Robert Paul with an award for winning the 2008 University of North Carolina Wilmington Business Plan competition. Paul is a graduating senior at UNCW. His project dealt with an innovative restaurant concept.
    King currently serves as an advisory board member for the university’s Cameron School of Business Entrepreneurship and Business Development and was one of three jurors for this competition.

Johnson Retires
Mike Johnson, CPF, owner of Gallery International in Portland, OR, is retiring as of June. Mike's career began in 1972 when he worked for a local frame shop. He opened Gallery International in 1984. By 1999, Gallery International had grown to three locations: the original on Canyon Road in Portland, Gallery International East, and Gallery Southwest. Achieving $1million in sales in one year was a personal highlight for Johnson.
    Johnson finds time to volunteer with the Columbia River PPFA Chapter, serving as president from 1988-1991. Mike is also an instrumental member of the Cascade Picture Framers' Guild and a strong advocate of building camaraderie among other framers. He was the driving force in shaping the current Cascade Chapter of the PPFA, also serving as its president. Numerous awards fill his shop for his involvement with the Greenwich Workshop.