Happy Birthday #afsrivernorth!
It’s hard to believe four years have passed since we opened our favorite little frame shop down on Wells Street in the heart of the River North Design District. It seems like only yesterday we were giving you a sneak peek into what went into making Artists Frame Service - River North.
In these past four years we’ve been amazed at the creativity, community and beautiful art that has flowed through our doors. And even though it’s hard to pick just four, today we’re celebrating four of our favorite reasons to love #afsrivernorth.
The Mini Cooper “Frame-Mobile”
Good things come in small packages, right? Just as our location on Wells is smaller than our flagship in Lincoln Park and our North Shore store in Highland Park, we pack a lot of punch into a tiny space. The same can be said for a “mini” take on our famous yellow frame-mobiles, delivering big joy to your home in a mini automobile.
Frame What You Love
Isn’t the ultimate purpose of a neon sign to capture an essential truth? (We think it is.) And for us the sign we hung in #afsrivernorth encapsulates what we know to be true - you should frame what you love and love what you frame. It’s a motto that’s been keeping our business thriving for the past 44 years.
The River North Design District Gallery Walk
One of the best things about moving into our new ‘hood, just one block north of the Merchandise Mart, is being around some of the best brands in home design and interior designers who frequent the River North Design District. The creativity abounds at the annual River North Design District Fall Gallery Walk, where artists, interior designers and showrooms (like us) partner up to display themed art vignettes while dishing out unique cocktails and bites.
Pictured above is the display from 2019 courtesy of our lovely partner Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, featuring the works of Cat Tesla from gallery 1871. Even better? This year’s event is just around the corner - learn more and get your tickets here!
A Creative Laboratory
From gallery walls to fine art to framed mirrors, we’ve loved experimenting with unique and creative art displays in our storefront. We love it even more when passersby wander in to ask about a particular piece or frame and, in many instances, purchase it right off the wall. An eclectic gallery wall (pictured above) hangs in our space now, why don’t you come see it for yourself?
Thank you so much to everyone who has been a part of our downtown Chicago journey these past four years. From the fantastic customers, to our wonderful team and, of course, all the beautiful framing - we’re even more excited for the years ahead.