Custom framing is a one of a kind craft that balances art & design with the technical precision of assembly. 

Five Points Framing brings a fresh approach to the trusted and skillful art of custom framing. Getting her start, Chelsea was exposed to the craft under Dennis Wisniewski of Avenue Art & Frame where she was mentored by various craftsmen and began developing her style. She was inspired to keep the tradition going when Avenue closed its doors in 2018. In the Fall of 2019, Chelsea opened Five Points Framing in the heart of the West Side and has since grown from a one woman shop to a multi-woman shop. 

Whether you’re an individual framing for yourself or finding the perfect gift, or a company looking to spruce up their offices, we have a wide range of ways to work together. We even work with interior designers to help bring their aesthetic to the walls and add those finishing touches that help bring a project together.

One of our key initiatives as we continue to grow is collaboration with other local artists and participation in the art community of Buffalo. For example we feature locally made frames by both Knotty Moose and The Guild and feature multiple local artist’s work in our shop for sale. We just added a new section in our expanded shop that features standard sized prints from local artists and pre-made frames, available for people who want to get a fun gift or dip their toes into the world of custom framing. All pre-made frames are made from scrap materials of custom projects to eliminate as much waste as possible.

Meet the Team:

Hey y’all! 

I’m Chelsea Black- the Louisianian founder of Five Points Framing! I made Buffalo my home in 2015 and am so elated to be diving in further to this artful and welcoming community by opening up this small business. 

I had the true privilege of learning the art of custom framing under Dennis Wisniewski and his team at Avenue Art & Frame. When Avenue closed its doors, I was energized by the opportunity to pursue this incredible trade on my own. 

Framing and design both bring me so much joy and I absolutely love what I do! From building community by working with clients to the technical details that go into crafting each custom frame, every piece created is so unique and special. 

I have a passion for my own art as well as yours. Creating stained glass pieces is one of my expressions and I had the honor of working with the late Jim Sawyer of Six Dimension Design when I first moved to Buffalo. I am also an avid cyclist, nature enthusiast, and gamelan music player with the local non-profit Nusantara Arts. 

Thank you for your interest and continued support in helping to create a thriving business that I hope will continue to give back to the community for many years to come! 

CJB 

Hi! I’m Abby Spindelman, co-owner and key collaborator at Five Points Framing. I moved back from Brooklyn, NY in 2014 in search of a deeper sense of community, and a more creative and empowering career.

Chelsea and I met through a mutual friend, and one serendipitous morning in February of 2020 while I was looking for a new opportunity, she was looking for help! With a background in interior design, experience running another small business, and my love for hands on work, it was a match made in heaven.

I have a passion for helping people think outside the box when it comes to creativity in design sessions. We may not all consider ourselves artists, but we all have a unique way of expressing ourselves! I have an innovative spirit, unique design eye, and friendly nature that helps foster a welcoming shop for clients. Behind the scenes, I get to utilize my various skills in sales and business development to keep our strong foundation growing.

As a team, we get to collaborate with incredible clients and works of art while creating beautiful finished pieces in an inspiring work environment that fosters an age old craft, it’s truly a gift.

My other outlets for creative expression include yoga, teaching intimacy skills, traveling, supporting social justice movements, and playing with my dog Indy. All of which add a unique flavor to my everyday life!

~Abby~