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Custom Framing by Eric Jarmann on Liberty Street in New Supply Store

by Roanne Patterson


The old adage of when one door closes, another opens is true life for framer Eric Jarmann. Passion and being-in-the-right place are his new by-words. The story of how this happened is coming up, but for right now Jarmann is happy to have opened his new business last month at 87 Liberty Street in Newburgh across from Washington's Headquarters and down the street from Caffe Macchiato at 99 Liberty, where many of Jarmann's clientele hang out, since he sent them there a few years ago.

The story: Jarmann's last place of business for his framing work was at Strook Plaza (an historic building on Broadway) in Newburgh. For many reasons, this location did not turn out to work for Jarmann. So he closed that location and spent the next year and a half concentrating on finding the right setting that would work for his craftsman frames.

Michael Gabor had been a customer of Jarmann's from 1997. They knew they had an appreciation for each other's talents and skills, so when Gabor was set to open his new Newburgh Arts Supply store at 87 Liberty, "Instantly we knew we had a good idea," remembers Jarmann. "It takes a group effort to draw customers so that you give them excitement and a reason to come to you rather than to some other business," Jarmann noted.

Jarmann never minded being downtown in an historic district. Because people feel a draw to the history of Newburgh, more and more businesses are opening up in the Liberty/Grand Street area. "Some businesses can tell you who your customers are exactly by demographics, etc., but my work cannot be defined by other framers. My customers are interested in seeing the revitalization of an absolute connection with the spirit. Why they bought the piece of art in the first place is how they want it to look in their home," said Jarmann. His job is to give the buyer a frame as a presentation that sustains the original spark that the art owner wishes to remember in his, or her, daily life.

Jarmann's background includes graphic design, photography and restoring Victorian homes. All the elements of framing have come full circle with his other experiences; Glass, wood and paper. Now he has become interested in what is becoming a lost art, traditional French matting. "This formal process involves embellishing a mat board with ink lines and water color wash. I am studying this as well as gold leafing/gilding skills with some masters. Gilding is becoming more and more popular. It really lasts," said Jarmann.

"It is exciting to be located in the arts supply store because clients will discover that there are “project kits” in the store that might spur them to explore their own creativity."
"The second and third generation Newburgh (residents) love that Liberty Street has stayed true to its historic roots. Many of my clients are active in Newburgh's businesses and historic projects; they are mostly people interested in Old Newburgh. My reproductions of vintage Newburgh images have always sold well," said Jarmann who really misses his interaction with people in his shop. "I am excited to have a place where people can come in and catch up," said Jarmann whose work is by appointment only.

Call 845-238-7640 or email him at: ericjarmann@gmail.com.