Global warming is one of the most important issues in the world today. To mark the 100th anniversary of Amundsen's 1906 navigation through the Northwest Passage, 25 artists embarked on a journey—Arctic Quest—on July 22, to draw attention to the issues of climate change, sovereignty, and the environment. Roma Moulding was selected for framing the works for the Arctic Quest Fine Art Exhibit, which celebrates the journey.
     “We would like to promote a sharing between the North and South, from East to West, as we follow in the footsteps of great explorers and artists of the past, and create new footsteps for the future,” according to the mandate of the Arctic Quest group.
     During the 12-day voyage, the artists recorded their impressions on canvas, paper, and film while visiting remote Arctic communities, as well as painting and distributing art supplies to encourage and stimulate artistic expression by Inuit youth. This culturally and historically important artwork is being featured in touring exhibitions, film, workshops, lectures, student exchanges, and historical projects, all planned to coincide with the International Polar Year project taking place from 2007-2009.
     To support Arctic Quest's mission to raise funds and awareness for environmental issues as well as assist young and emerging Inuit artists, this past spring participating artists donated paintings to be auctioned for fundraising and for a traveling exhibit. Roma Moulding was selected as the exclusive framing sponsor and donated all moulding to custom frame the artwork for the organization's traveling exhibitions. “This is a part of Roma's contribution to help in the struggle to help preserve our environment for future generations. It is through knowledge, compassion, and action that we can all make a difference,” said Tony Gareri, vice-president of sales and marketing. The first exhibit will take place throughout the summer in Iqaluit, Nunavut, a northern Canadian territory, then move to Penn State's Abington College Gallery, Abington, PA, in November.
     For more information on Arctic Quest, visit www.nwp100.com.

Larson-Juhl and Artaissance Featured in Design Magazines
Both Larson-Juhl and Artaissance have been featured in several magazines this year.
The January/February 2007 article in Veranda featured a photograph of Concerto frames and highlighted the frames' beautiful designs ranging from16th-century Italian styles to 17th-century Dutch styles.
     New York Home's March/April 2007 issue featured an article, “Match Makers,” detailing interior designer Paul Siskin's selection of Larson-Juhl's ornate, gilded frames for his contemporary photography prints. The article also features photos and information about the process of making a frame, from harvesting the lumber to applying the finishes.
     Artaissance was featured in the April issue of Domino Magazine. The article demonstrates three ways to use artwork in the same space, making completely different style statements. The magazine's editors asked three established designers—Randy Ridless, Katie Lydon, and Tom Scheerer—to curate their own art collection to design the same space using the Artaissance website, www.artaissance.com. The designers selected and custom-sized their selections, designed and framed the pieces using a local custom framer, and then displayed them in vastly different vignettes.
     The Artaissance collection offers more than 1,800 images with a broad spectrum of colors and styles of art. The vignettes highlighted interesting and stylish ways to display framed art in the home and also incorporated other home decor elements to bring the entire space together.
     The designers also selected Larson-Juhl frames (www.larsonjuhl.com) for the art. When consumers or designers order from the website, the artwork is shipped to either their home or to a local custom framer where they can make frame selections, making the entire process of creating an art collection simple.

nuTech Acquires MakeMoreArt.com
nuTech recently acquired the online resource website, www.MakeMoreArt.com, designed specifically for the art and framing industry. nuTech is known for ezFramer Picture Framing Software products that are sold to custom framers (the two products are not related).
     The website allows anyone with an art- or framing-related website to be a listed resource for a one-time fee. Visitors can click on the “frame” and be linked to that company's website. There are also marketing and promotion articles.
     Liz Trementozzi, president of nuTech, states, “We have watched MakeMoreArt.com from the beginning and we like what we see. There is a need for more online resources in this industry. Because of our involvement with the industry, we are often asked by framers and artists what online resources exist. MakeMoreArt.com has the potential to help in this area by providing online business resources as well as vast amounts of educational and marketing tools. We hope the entire industry jumps on board and becomes a part of MakeMoreArt.com.”
     To become involved with MakeMoreArt.com, send e-mail to contact@MakeMoreArt.com.

Fastframe of Tustin Honored
Fastframe of Tustin, Tustin, CA, owned by Andrew and Jane Perry, has won the Tustin Area Small Business of the Year Award. The couple received a trophy from the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, a proclamation from the City of Tustin, and three certificates of recognition from Congressman John Campbell, the California State Senate, and the County of Orange at a ceremony held on June 22.
     The business has served the Tustin, Santa Ana, and Orange communities for more than 15 years, but the Perrys acquired it in May 2003.

Stoe Wins Frames Unlimited Art Show
Mark Stoe, area manager, was the winner of the Frames Unlimited 21st Annual Associates' Art Show. His piece, a digital color photograph 29"x21", is a macro image of a glass sphere in blue, red, orange, and pink. He framed his work using a 5"-triple embossed black fabric mat with a 3"-Larson Juhl contemporary black/blue wood moulding.
     Frames Unlimited is a chain of 24 full-service picture framing, art and home accents shops located throughout Michigan and Ohio.

Hoffman Joins Framerica
Bill Hoffman is the newest member of Framerica's national sales team. He will be responsible for the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Bill can be reached at 800-372-6422 or at Bill@Framerica.com.

United Mfrs. Hires Interns
United Mfrs. Supplies has announced its summer College Intern Program.
     Gina Moscato, a marketing major at SUNY Farmingdale will be working in the marketing department in product development and trade show research.
    Dana Papa, an education major at St. Johns University, will be in the sales department. She is studying to be an Italian language teacher and will be working on European imports and sales.

NAMTA Announces New Board
The National Art MaterialsTrade Association (NAMTA) named its officers at its annual convention and trade show held in Chicago in April.
    Ron Whitmore, co-owner of Artisan Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM, was elected president. Elected to the board of directors were Marcello Dworzak and Frank Stapleton as domestic supplier representatives and Mark Wiener as domestic retailer representative. Dworzak is general manager of Da Vinci Paint Company, Inc. in Irvine, CA; Stapleton is president of MacPherson's in Emeryville, CA; and Wiener is owner of the Art Colony at the Blueprinter in Palm Desert, CA. Each will serve a three-year term on the NAMTA board.