Smithtown Picture Frame

Smithtown Picture Frame, located on Main St. in Smithtown, has been serving the Smithtown community for many years as a frame store, restoration specialist and art gallery.

Denise and Joe handle all matters of framing, as well as artwork and photographic restoration and conservation. Routine work is provided including new framing, repairs, custom glass work and UV protective glass. Both Denise and Joseph have Bachelorette degrees in fine arts. Joe also has a background in sculpture while Denise tends to focus on designing.

When asked to elaborate on the definitions of restoring versus conservation, Denise explained that customers bring in artwork and photos that may be damaged in some way, and they go about the process of “making the appropriate repairs to restore something to recreate the original to the extent possible.” As an example, they just accepted a mural for restoration that is on display at a Long Island Temple. A corner of the mural is missing. It is a process, says Denise, beginning with figuring out what materials to use to design the missing piece and weave it to the existing mural.

On the other hand, with conservation, Denise and Joe treat the artwork and photos with a specific process that helps to “preserve the artwork or photo, essentially stopping the aging process.” To do that successfully, any evidence of acidity has to be removed from the artwork.

What makes Smithtown Picture Frame unique is tha it serves as an art gallery as well. There are hundreds of art pieces on display at the store, many of which feature local artists. There are pieces on display from Irene Vitale, Keith Torgan, Cori Forster, Karla Gudeon and Antonio Masi.

There is a section in the store dedicated to art work unique to the pandemic.

In addition to the gallery, on the side of the building, there is a colorful wings pattern surrounded with peace signs. Denise proudly explained that she created the design, while her family hand-painted it on the facade of the building. “This was completed during the initial phase of the pandemic as a sign of hope,” stated Denise.

Denise and Joseph Laurenti have owned the Smithtown Picture Frame since 1989. While Smithtown Picture Frame’s website is currently undergoing some restoration of its own, Smithtown Picture Frame does have a Facebook page and Instagram account. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, with Mondays reserved for appointments only.