I began working with Mary Selvig of Mary Selvig Framing in the fall of 2014. This date, however, was not the first time I had heard or met the talented artist of this business. Our first encounter took place back in the 1980’s when I decided to take a community education class for watercolor. I was very fortunate to find out that Mary, who was already an established regional artist, would be the instructor for this course. Our paths would meet again in the 1990’s, when while I worked for Dakota Stained Glass as a retail manager, Mary was the gallery manager for DSG’s Full Circle Gallery. Throughout these years, I was privileged to witness her professional dedication to her skill.
While working as a framing assistant to her, I have come to realize her innate ability to bring design into every aspect of her life. As I have commented to others, “I have the privilege to work work with an artist who frames artwork.” Each summer, Mary designs and plants the flower boxes which are displayed on the front entrance of the historical Crane building located in the downtown area. She researches trends in container gardens and knows which plants will work best for the southern exposure. Mary brings this mindset of “form should follow function” into her framing business as well; as stated in her website, “She provides…extensive options with an emphasis on providing safe storage space for art.”
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