Archie “Scott” Gobber, duo owner of Dolphin Frames, has been framing some of the best artwork in Kansas City for more than 20 years. Located in Haw Contemporary gallery in the West Bottoms, Gobber and his team frame anything from textiles to oil paintings to photography. As the frame has a major impact on the work—and is no small expense itself—for the best result it’s important to work with someone who understands art.
“Our rule is to let the art do the work,” Gobber says. “Most of our customers trust us on this.”
In general, Gobber tries to stay away from matching the frame or mat to the color scheme of the room.
“Colors go in and out of fashion,” he says. “There are times when it makes sense—framing a diploma, for example. But in general, it may not be the best choice for the piece.”
Even if someone is stepping outside their usual aesthetic—selecting a modern photograph for a room with traditional décor, for example—he recommends that the frame be cohesive with the art.
“There are ways to make this work,” he says. “We might try a simple walnut frame. The look is more in keeping with the photograph, but the color and texture of the wood would relate to a traditional room.”
His best advice in short? “Keep it simple.”