In celebration of its longevity and success, The Framing Gallery will be showcasing the work of two local artists during the month of March. The featured artist is Connie Loflin Peninger, a native of Salisbury born and raised just one mile from the heart of downtown. She started painting at age 5 with her grandmother. Connie is primarily self-taught, but has studied under several established artists throughout the years. As a cancer survivor of 24 years, much of her inspiration comes from her spiritual journey and compassion for others, along with her continuing support from family, friends and fellow artists.

She has received numerous awards in multiple categories including the Carolina Artists Multi-media EXPO People’s Choice Award in both 2012 and 2013. She was previously commissioned for a painting for the 50th anniversary of Project Santa that was presented to the founders of that organization. Connie is also featured on the Artist Collection Series of IceBoxCalendars.com. For this show, she will be introducing a new “surprising” series of abstracts and “acrylic landscape finger-painting”. Her work may also be seen on Facebook.com/ArtbyConnieLoflinPeninger.

Betty Sedberry has been a household name in the Salisbury/Rowan area for many years and has previously exhibited work at the Framing Gallery. She has been a professional artist since 1975 and now works at her studio on Statesville Blvd. Her pen and ink drawings reveal a history of the railroad depots in North Carolina. The meticulous detail in the steam engines continues to show in the evolution of the diesel engines. Much of the Rowan County’s local architecture and many key landmarks have been portrayed including Grimes Mill – now sadly lost to the community. Betty’s work has been featured in “American Artist”, “McCall’s”, “State Magazine” and many other publications.
Both artists have produced commissioned works for both personal and professional/business collections.

The public is invited to attend a reception celebrating the 31st anniversary of The Framing Gallery and spotlighting these talented artists on Saturday, March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. The Framing Gallery is located at 320 N. Main Street across from Koco Java. For more information, call Jody Sedberry at 704-633-1246.
Celeste Ward is a writer and photographer residing in Salisbury. She may be reached at cgward33@carolina.rr.com

Once again the baton has been passed in a long-standing Salisbury business. The Framing Gallery located at 320 N. Main Street is under new family leadership. Celebrating their 31st anniversary, Jody Sedberry is the newest owner-operator of the framing and fine art gallery originally opened by his grandparents.
Jody’s grandparents, Don and Merrea Weinhold started the first Framing Gallery on Harrison Street in 1983. They opened their doors as a “retirement business” when Don Weinhold Sr. retired from Fiber Industries. Early on (as indicated on an old business card), Don was a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association. Jody grins as he talks about his grandmother “being known for straightening pictures just about everywhere she went” whether on vacations or just visiting around town.
After serving many neighborhood clients at the Harrison Street location, The Framing Gallery moved to a larger building at 320 N. Main Street in 1992. Upon Don and Merrea’s “second retirement”, their daughter (Jody’s aunt) Jan Weinhold took over as the next owner-operator. While Jan set up the gallery in the front part of the building, her sister Donna Cicero used the back of the new facility as a dance studio. A flexible wooden floor and wall-length mirrors were installed in the warehouse-size space providing an excellent location for area dancers to practice their steps and routines.
Jody had actually been part of the family’s business since he was about 8 years old when his grandfather allowed him to do odd jobs in the shop. He would pull or file mats, shrink wrap pictures and put away framing supplies. Jody continuously trained with his Aunt Jan and also completed picture framing classes at Forsyth Technical College in Greensboro. A 1999 graduate of Salisbury High School, Jody also studied culinary arts at the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts School in Charleston, SC where he graduated in 2002. Before moving back to Salisbury, he served as a chef at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
Although an uppwer window sign indicates the current location’s building may be for sale, The Framing Gallery has been remodeled. Jody has redecorated the showroom to give customers the feeling of “stepping into a living room” as they enter through the front door. Selections of fine art paintings, prints and photographs line the walls. A separate workspace allows for the selection of custom matting and framing materials as well as dry mounting, shrink wrapping, and tabletop accessories.