Three Framers Earn CPF Designation

Three framers recently earned CPF designation from the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA): Frankie Williams, CPF, Prairiebrooke Arts, Overland Park, Kansas; and Aimee Anthony, CPF, and Maxwell Grove, CPF, both from Chelsea Frames in New York City. All three took their exams at local libraries, proctored by librarians.

For information on the PPFA CPF and MCPF programs, visit ppfa.com or email certification@ppfa.com.

Bloomberg Donates 14,000 Artifacts Unearthed in Renovation to London Museum

Bloomberg has transferred ownership of over 14,000 Roman artifacts, discovered during the construction of its new London headquarters, to the Museum of London.

The artifacts were excavated between 2012 and 2014 during the development of Bloomberg’s European headquarters. The site contained a Roman temple, or Mithraeum, dedicated to the god Mithras. This cult was known for its secretive rituals, including bull sacrifice. The Mithraeum consisted of a rectangular room with benches along the walls, suggesting communal meals.

The collection comprises a variety of items, including clothing, pottery, furniture, jewelry, and other fragmented objects. Notably, the find included 405 wooden tablets, the largest collection of its kind discovered at a single Roman site. These tablets contain the earliest written reference to the city of London.

Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP, said, “These artifacts provide a direct connection to the lives of London’s earliest inhabitants.”

In addition to the artifacts, Bloomberg has pledged £20 million ($26 million) to the Museum of London. This donation will support the redevelopment of the Smithfield market buildings into a new museum space. The new museum is scheduled to open in 2026 and is projected to attract over two million visitors annually. Bloomberg’s contribution represents the largest single donation received by the Museum of London.

Sharon Ament, Director of the Museum of London, said the donation will establish a “lasting legacy” by promoting sustainability, creating apprenticeships, enhancing digital access, and engaging London residents in the museum’s development.