Stories Related to My Biz: Cedar Rapids Frame Shop Melds Art And Woodworking

Robert Fox, photographic artist and gallery owner, knows the importance of integrating the artist within with a business methodology. In the fall of 2003, Fox bought the former Mote Brothers Frame Shop downtown, renamed it The Modern Gallery and Framing Co., and began showcasing his abilities as an artist and experienced woodworker creating custom frames. His years working for the University of Iowa’s photo service department, coupled with 20-plus years of commercial woodworking, contributed to the perfect experience platform for launching his new frame/gallery format. “Coming into this, I knew the money was going to be made on the framing side of the business, but the gallery idea just made it even more fun,” Fox explained. While his own black and white photography was always available, he had rarely displayed it.