Dartmouth, MA
Framing in Dartmouth, MA
A framed piece is only as safe as the materials sitting against it. Paper that touches ordinary mat board can yellow and pick up acid stains, glass without ultraviolet filtering lets light fade pigments year after year, and artwork pressed flat against glazing can trap moisture at the surface. These problems build slowly, so most people notice them only after the damage has set. Choosing archival matting, correct spacing, and glazing suited to the piece takes real knowledge of how art ages, which is why a proper fitting protects far more than appearance.
UMass Dartmouth is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, whose campus gallery on Old Westport Road hosts exhibitions for the public. Artwork headed for display is held to a different standard than a print on a bedroom wall, with clean mat cuts, secure mounting, and hardware that lets it hang level. That presentation standard is exactly what custom framing is built to deliver for anyone in Dartmouth preparing a piece to be seen, whether it is a painting, a photograph, or a work on paper.
For over 60 years, Riverside Art, LTD has provided trusted framing in Dartmouth, MA through a family owned and operated shop that builds its frames on the premises. Custom framing, matting, canvas stretching, frame restoration, and picture hanging are handled by working artists and skilled craftspeople, with over 5,000 moulding choices and almost 3000 matting options to choose from. Each project starts with a conversation about the piece, where it will hang, and the look you want, so the frame is designed around the artwork rather than the other way around.
About Dartmouth, MA
Dartmouth is a Bristol County town on the South Coast of Massachusetts, incorporated in 1664, with its southern edge running along Buzzards Bay. The Slocums River, Lake Noquochoke, Cornell Pond, the Shingle Island River, and the Paskamansett River all lie within the town, and the village of Padanaram is home to the New Bedford Yacht Club.
Interstate 195 and US Route 6 pass directly through Dartmouth, connecting its neighborhoods to the rest of the South Coast. Historic villages such as Russells Mills and Hixville, each with its own historic district, preserve the look of earlier centuries within a town that continues to grow and change.
Life here follows the water and the seasons, with the coast shaping both the scenery and the weather. Village centers, older neighborhoods, and residential streets give the town a range of home styles, and each one comes with its own rooms, light, and wall space waiting for art, from compact corners to open living spaces.
How Coastal Humidity and Light Affect the Framing of Art in Dartmouth
The southern edge of Dartmouth meets the coast, and homes near the water often deal with more moisture in the air than houses farther inland. Paper, canvas, and wood backing all take on and release humidity as the seasons change, which can make mats ripple and backing boards bow when the materials are not matched to the piece.
Light adds another layer. Sunlight bouncing off open water and bright summer afternoons can fade pigments and brown paper behind standard glass, so UV filtering glazing and acid free mats earn their place in rooms that face the water or catch strong sun.
None of this makes coastal display a risk worth avoiding. It means a framer should ask where the piece will hang, how much sun and humidity that room sees, and how the artwork is built, then choose spacing, glazing, and mounting to match. Those answers shape a frame far more than any standard package could.
Happy Customers in Dartmouth, MA
What to Expect When You Bring a Piece in for Custom Framing
Every framing visit starts with the piece itself. Bring in whatever you want displayed, such as a child's drawing, a wedding photo, an original painting, or a sports jersey, and a framer will look at its size, material, and condition before suggesting anything. Knowing where it will hang helps just as much, since a hallway and a bright sunroom call for different choices.
From there, the decisions usually follow a simple order. The moulding sets the style, the mat adds breathing room and a border of color around the art, and the glazing protects the surface from dust and light. Mounting comes last but matters a great deal, since the way a piece is attached decides whether it stays flat.
Pieces that are oversized, unusually shaped, or headed for an older frame are common questions, and a shop that builds frames on the premises can usually handle them without sending work elsewhere. Canvas stretching and frame restoration follow the same approach of matching methods to the piece, so mention any damaged frame or loose canvas during the first conversation.
Why Dartmouth Residents Trust Riverside Art, LTD
Neighbors who bring us a piece are working with a family owned and operated business, and Riverside Art, LTD has provided expert framing in Dartmouth, MA since 1963. The people behind the counter are artists and craftspeople who understand what a finished frame should do for a piece, from protecting it to showing it at its best.
Experience shows in the details. Our departments are staffed by working artists and skilled craftspeople with over 200 years of combined experience, and our frame restoration work is led by Paul, who brings 32 years of experience to regilding, stabilizing loose corners, and cleaning and refinishing old frames.
All of our work is created in our own frame shop, and we carry archival mat boards that are acid and lignin free, including options made of 100% cotton rag. We have also used the Wizard computerized mat cutting system since 1995, which gives each opening a precise, clean cut on every mat.
Visit Us for experienced Framing in Dartmouth, MA
Bring in the piece you have been meaning to frame, and Riverside Art, LTD will show you why we've provided experienced framing in Dartmouth, MA as a family owned and operated shop that treats each project as personal. A family photograph, a favorite painting, and a treasured keepsake all deserve a frame that suits them.
Come by the shop or give us a call to describe what you have, and our framing staff will go through moulding, matting, and glazing options with you in person. We listen to what you want, look at the piece with a designer's eye, and show you the best choices for your art and your taste.
With 60 years of industry expertise, we have framed everything from wedding photos and sports jerseys to cross stitch pieces and original paintings. We also stretch canvas, restore frames, and hang finished work, so a single visit can cover everything a piece needs, from the first idea to the finished wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can an existing frame be refit with new artwork?
Often, yes. We regularly refit old frames with new work and can cut a frame down when it is slightly too large. Bring the frame and the piece together, and we will check how well they suit each other.
2. Do I need to know what style I want before I visit?
Not at all. Our framers ask about the piece, the room, and your tastes, then show you options so the choices come easily. Many people arrive unsure and leave confident about the frame they picked.
3. Can you help frame pieces for an office or conference room?
Yes. Our senior framing staff can plan decor for commercial spaces like hallways and conference rooms, suggesting how many pieces to use and how to arrange them. Send us a message about the space and we will start there.
4. What does computerized mat cutting add to a framing project?
A computerized cutter produces consistent, precise openings, including multiple openings in a single mat. We have used this system since 1995, which means clean corners and accurate sizing on everything from small photos to larger pieces.
5. Is it safe to hang framed art in a bathroom or sunroom?
It can be, with the right materials. Rooms with humidity or strong sun call for careful glazing, spacing, and backing choices, so tell us where the piece will hang and we will recommend a build that suits that room.
6. How should I care for framed art once it is home?
Keep it out of direct sun, dust the frame with a soft dry cloth, and spray cleaner onto the cloth rather than the glass. If you notice moisture or discoloration behind the glass, bring the piece back and we will take a look.
7. Can fragile items like a child's drawing or old newspaper article be framed?
Yes. Delicate paper needs gentle mounting and acid free materials so it does not yellow or tear, and our framers choose methods that protect it. Give us a call before handling the item much, and we will advise you.
8. Can several pieces be framed so they look like a set?
Yes. We can choose mouldings and mats that tie a group together while still suiting each piece, and our staff can also consult on how a collection should be arranged. Stop by with the pieces and we will plan it together.