Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing opens on State Street

Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing at 324 State Street in West Columbia will be one of the anchors of the up and coming arts district forming in West Columbia. State Street is dotted with antique stores, boutique shops, an artistic eyewear store and amazing restaurants. “This is the place to be right now”, says owner Rob Shaw as we stand outside his shop on a weekday afternoon amongst the beehive of activity in the parking lot that surrounds his shop.

Rob Shaw is a graduate of The University of South Carolina. As an artist he has won numerous awards and is well known for his paintings using the palette knife. Before starting Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing in April of 2019, he was the longtime manager of another frame shop in downtown Columbia. His passion for art and the desire to create a business of his own lead him to where he is today. As well as framing and selling original works of art, Shaw also teaches his Oil Painting with the Palette Knife Class. This class is so popular it has its own group of regulars that call themselves the “Shaw Artistas”, they have group shows and regularly participate in local festivals.

While speaking with Shaw he explains, “Framing is my main business and the one I wish to expand and grow, but it is painting and teaching my class that have given me the most notoriety so far. It can be hard breaking into a new business, especially with so many other frame shops in the area. What I hope to do to differentiate myself is to cater to a specific audience that is interested in a full-service experience”. Shaw offers home consultation, where he will meet clients at their home or office and help them choose the perfect art and framing for their space. He also stays on top of the newest trends in framing and design to ensure that customers get a unique one of a kind piece that makes a statement about them.  Finally, when all the work is completed, he can deliver and hang the work to ensure that it is perfectly placed and secure for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Beginning in the Fall, Rob Shaw Gallery and Framing will have a rotation of Art Openings for individual artists that will coincide with State Street’s Monthly First Friday Art Crawl. The openings will feature a solo show for the featured artist that will hang for the entire month. The featured artist for August will be Jamie Blackburn, running until the September opening for George Stone. For more information about shows, framing or classes please visit www.robshawgallery.com.