Meet Chris Jacob | Custom Frame Shop and Gallery owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Jacob and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’d been working as a visual and performing artist for many years. I was drawn to New Orleans over a decade ago because of the ‘project town’ nature of the city. This city really allows you to do many things on your own terms. I felt capable of building a successful business here and wanted to create a place that I would want to be patron of. It was full circle in a way as well. As a kid my first form of expression was film photography. My father, who was a professional woodworker, built me a dark room in his wood shop. After developing and printing my photographs we would build frames for them. Opening up a custom frame shop and gallery space felt like a natural return to my early interests and an homage to my amazing father. Building my business was also a way for me to work with my hands while also utilizing my design skills and getting to work with other artists in a gallery setting.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the owner of Bywater Framing, a custom frame shop and gallery on Saint Claude Avenue in the Bywater in New Orleans. We’re in a beautiful historic shotgun style house and I’ve really enjoyed creating an environment in here that people can enjoy. We host gallery openings in our double parlor with a variety of artists from near and far.

I was excited to breath a little life into the framing industry in a way, in terms of our offerings, design skills and making custom framing accessible . I’ve got two incredible employees with backgrounds in art who are an integral part of the business and bring a lot to the table. I feel really lucky to be in this industry because our customer base is New Orleans has been a really kind, loyal and appreciative bunch. I would say one really unforeseen aspect of owning a frame shop has been how my exposure to thousands of pieces of art has enriched me as a person and given me an intimate portrait of of what people in New Orleans care about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My first two suggestions for a week trip to New Orleans would be rent a bike and don’t over plan. This city is easy to get around and theres a definite magic here that you can tap into if you just kind of relax into it. Obviously the French Quarter is a must see and if there’s time to take a swamp tour it can be a really good way to understand the bizarre environment this city was built in. Some of my favorite restaurants are Sylvain, Cane and Tables, Sea Worthy, Paladar 511 and N7.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Hands down, my father Steve Jacob deserves a great deal of credit in the success of my business and my overall drive for personal success. He raised me to be confident person and to never set limitations on myself. I was lucky, I got love and support my entire life from both my parents. My father, who passed away recently, instilled in me an intense drive and motivation to take life on with hard work and a good attitude. He was extremely proud of the business I built from the ground up and and was a major sounding board for me in its development.

Website: www.bywaterframing.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topherjacob/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/bywater_framing/

Image Credits
Jordan Padilla