BESPOKE FRAMING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1993

The Fine Art Trade Guild: their framing qualifications and standards

The Fine Art Trade Guild has set art and framing industry standards that are recognized worldwide since its formation in 1910. The Framing Lot is proud to be a member of The Fine Art Trade Guild and works to its standards and levels of framing. We abide by the Guild’s Code of Ethics in all our transactions with customers, suppliers and industry peers.

Jo became a Director of the Guild in 2014, joined the Executive Committee as Vice-Chair in 2016 and became the first female framer in the Guild’s long history to head the organisation when she became Chair & Master of the Guild from May 2019 to May 2022. After 8 years of voluntary service Jo stepped down as a Director in October 2022.

Why does being part of the Guild matter? When we’re as informed as possible within our industry, we can provide our customers with the very best framing service. That is why we are proud to both hold all available qualifications from The Fine Art Trade Guild. The Guild awarded us the letters GCF(APF) Adv after our names. Guild Certified Framers (Accredited Professional Framers) with Advanced Accreditations.

Being a Guild member is not an industry requirement; many framers do not choose this path for their business. But we are firm believers that being part of a professional trade organisation matters. In part, because we can collaborate with and learn alongside other industry professionals. It also keeps us as up to date as possible on changes to techniques and products. 

Qualifications

The art and framing industry had long been crying out for a nationally recognized qualification. As a result and after much work the Guild launched the Guild Commended Framer qualification in 1994. Industry peers tested framers on practical and theory elements. It soon became a unique benchmark for framers’ skills, knowledge and ability. Customers recognized that a qualified framer had demonstrated their professional knowledge of the correct framing methods and materials to recommend and use. Alec and Jo both qualified as Guild Commended Framers under the original scheme.

However, it was not without its flaws, the main one being that a framer did not have to keep up to date beyond the point they had taken their exam. A good trade qualification will always incorporate on-going learning. Recognizing this flaw, the Guild retired the Guild Commended Framer qualification in 2015. The same year, the Guild launched the new Guild Certified Framer qualification, but with two significant changes: on-going Guild membership and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Both these requirements were added to allow monitoring of framers holding the qualification. Customers now have the reassurance that framers holding the new qualification must keep up to date with industry knowledge, standards and innovations. In addition, the Guild actively monitors and re-certifies Framers at set intervals and framers must gain CPD credits to retain their qualification. Alec and Jo became Guild Certified Framers (Accredited Professional Framers) shortly after it’s launch.

Guild Advanced Accreditation Qualifications

There are three Advanced Accreditation qualifications: Advanced: Textile Framing, Advanced: Conservation Framing and Advanced: Mount Design & Function. Framers prove their abilities with a thorough and exacting practical and theory exam. They must also demonstrate time served, giving depth of experience, alongside showcasing a portfolio of customer work for review and discussion.

Alec and Jo set themselves the challenge of passing all three Advanced qualifications, a feat only achieved by a small handful of framers worldwide. In fact, studying and working towards that aim allowed them to broaden their knowledge base and take on more challenging framing tasks. While Textile and Conservation framing is Jo’s passion, Alec’s focus has been on developing his frame construction and hand-finished moulding. 

Fully Qualified

Purple for Textile, yellow for Mount Design & Function and green for Conservation. We now have the full set! 

The Framing Lot was the first framing business worldwide to have two framers who have attained all Guild qualifications. Which means Alec and Jo are the first married couple in the history of the Guild to achieve this.

However, they are not resting on their laurels, as every day is a learning day. So in addition to completing their CPD credits they both remain involved in writing CPD content for other framers.

The Framing Standards & Qualifications Committee sets the standards for framing, appoints Certified Examiners, Accredited Trainers and oversees the framing qualifications. Alec and Jo both joined the Committee some years ago, with Jo elected Vice-Chair in 2022.

Sharing Knowledge

Both Alec and Jo were officially named as Certified Examiners by the Fine Art Trade Guild after a period working towards it. This means they now tests other framers in the UK as those framers look to achieve their own Guild Certified Framer or Advanced Accredited status. 

Alec and Jo have been active industry educators for a number of years. They have taught online and in-person workshops and seminars. But they also act as part of the support network for Guild framer members. This involves answering questions on the Framers’ Technical Helpline and the Guild’s FrameTalk online forum. Jo is also a Moderator and Contributor on another non-Guild online international forum for framers. And in 2022 they were awarded the Guild Accredited Trainer status for their in-person professional training at their workshop.

Both Alec and Jo have had numerous articles published in the trade magazine Art + Framing Today and in industry magazine 4Walls. In 2024 Larson Juhl invited them to become part of the 4Walls Editorial team. They write a regular column giving technical and practical advice and are members of their Ask the Experts online panel.

Why choose a Guild Certified Framer or Advanced framer?

• Guild Certified Framers (GCFs) are qualified framers whose skills have been examined in a rigorous test.
• Guild Certified Framers have been awarded their emblem of excellence by the art and framing industry’s trade organisation, the Fine Art Trade Guild.
• Guild Certified Framers commit to supplying goods and services of a consistently high standard.
• Guild Certified Framers are mindful of the care and conservation of customer’s artwork and can ensure that items remain in optimum condition.
• Guild Certified Framers create frames that are structurally sound, blemish-free and show care and attention to detail.

As members of the Fine Art Trade Guild we promise to act fairly and reasonably in accordance with our Code of Ethics.  This means we will:

• Observe the highest standards of integrity in all transactions
• Protect the interests of our customers
  
• Avoid the use of false, confusing, inaccurate or misleading terms, descriptions or claims
• Make every effort to reach an amicable and speedy solution in the event of any problems
• Maintain adequate insurance protection to suit our business and customers’ needs
• Represent ourselves as a member of the Guild only whilst in membership
• Maintain and enhance the reputation, standing and good name of the Guild and its membership
• Contribute to the advancements of the profession through development and support of Guild standards, the education of fellow members and consumers

As Guild members and GCFs we aim to provide an excellent professional service at all times.

For additional information about the Guild please follow this link to their website http://www.fineart.co.uk