The Cornwall Blog

Originally published in April 2018. This article records plans for Stable Art’s move from Bodmin town centre at that time. In 2018, Stable Art announced plans to leave its premises in the centre of Bodmin and move into a former chapel just outside the town. The building was undergoing a substantial renovation, creating new premises for the business’s bespoke picture framing and expanding collection of art materials. Stable Art had become known locally for framing pieces of many different shapes and sizes, alongside a wide selection of ready-made frames and artists’ supplies. The plans for the new premises also included exhibition space and room for art and craft workshops. The chapel’s peaceful setting and distinctive arched windows promised a very different home from the original town-centre shop.

Originally published in April 2013. This article reflects Stable Art and its Bodmin premises as they were at that time. I had not realised that framing a picture was an art form in its own right, but one look at a badly framed photograph or painting soon shows how much difference it can make. At the time, Stable Art provided a bespoke picture-framing service from its premises behind the Shire Hall in Bodmin. We had used the service for several prints and pieces of artwork, including work produced by my husband’s graphic design studio, and had been very pleased with the results. Picture framing was only part of the business. The shop also stocked a large selection of art materials, including pencils, pastels, graphite, charcoal and drawing pads from a range of familiar brands. An extension had allowed the shop to increase its range of art materials and introduce mirrors and gifts alongside its framing service. The old sta...