About Framing Teacher
Picture Framing and Teaching by Andy Parks, MA, G.C.F.
I am a professional picture framer with 21 years experience in the trade. I currently work in a picture framing business in Petersfield, Hants on a part time basis. I did manage the picture framing department for 10 years. However a change in personal circumstances (studying for a degree full time and then a Masters) means that I now only work there part time. Before this, I worked at The Hunt Gallery, Godalming, Surrey and at Downing Street Studios, Farnham, Surrey.
I have passed the picture framing qualification promoted by the Fine Art Trade Guild (the professional picture framing trade association) called The Guild Commended Framer (G.C.F., my registered pass number is 060). During my time as a professional picture framer, I have framed many weird and wonderful things! These have included fine examples of watercolours, oils, pastels, antiquarian maps / prints and modern prints. Some slightly more challenging picture framing tasks have included Chinese food dishes, military medals and an orchestra conductor's wand (possibly the strangest thing I have ever framed was a stuffed canary called Jimmy!).
I have approximately 10 years experience teaching picture framing at various venues, including The South Downs College and The Petersfield School. The courses offered at The South Downs College are 10-week courses, usually taught on Monday nights. These courses start in September and January (Autumn and Spring terms). The courses at The Petersfield School are one-day courses held on a Saturday. There is usually one course offered during both the Autumn and the Spring term.
I have also taught to arts & craft societies and to photography clubs. These can be tailor-made to fit the requirements of the club or society. Previous subject matter for classes has included presentations on choice of suitable framing materials for specific pictures. Also demonstrations regarding overmount cutting or cutting/mitring frames have proved to be very popular. Some art societies have also benefited from demonstrations on overmount decoration, a particularly challenging part of picture framing! These classes can take the form of audience participation, where the potential students bring along some basic equipment with them and 'have a go' on the day. Alternatively, the classes can adopt more of a lecture form with framed examples used as visual aids.
I also offer one-to-one tuition on any aspects of picture framing that you require assistance with. Please feel free to e-mail me for any further information you require.
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