Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery, a cornerstone of Salem's artistic community for nearly 40 years, is fighting to stay open through a fundraising auction scheduled for November 16. The gallery experienced its worst month since the pandemic this past August, prompting owners to consider closing their framing operation, which accounts for 85% of their income. General Manager Brent Allen hopes the auction will generate enough funds to keep the business running until at least June 2026, when it will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
The gallery's financial struggles stem from a perfect storm of economic challenges that have hit the art industry particularly hard. Allen explained that a combination of tariffs, supply chain issues, and financial uncertainty among Salem households has left customers prioritizing basic necessities over luxury services like art framing. The business has been operating essentially month-to-month since COVID-19, relying on a $70,000 Small Business Administration loan taken out in 2020 to cover expenses and slow periods.
When Allen took to social media in August to ask for community support, Salem residents responded enthusiastically. He posted a GoFundMe campaign and asked people to visit the gallery, purchase artwork, bring in pieces for framing, and spread the word about their situation. The community's response was immediate and overwhelming – the shop's backlog of framing projects jumped from 10 to 50 pieces as people searched their homes for unframed art to bring in. This grassroots effort helped turn around their fortunes, with September becoming their second-best September on record despite following their worst August in years.
The upcoming auction, organized in partnership with the nonprofit Artists in Action, will feature nearly 200 donated items including original paintings, vintage goods, ceramics, and various collectibles. The event will take place at the gallery's location at 444 Ferry Street S.E., with viewing hours from 1 to 4 p.m. and both silent and live auctions running from 4 p.m. to approximately 8 p.m. Donated items range in value from $30 for smaller pieces to a $10,000 painting, with more than a third of donations coming from local artists who don't want to see the gallery disappear.
The financial pressures facing Elsinore Framing reflect broader challenges in industries dependent on international supply chains and disposable income. Allen's costs have increased approximately 30% since last year due to multiple factors. Supply shortages have driven up prices for all framing materials, from wood and glass to matte boards. The consolidation of framing suppliers has created monopolistic conditions that allow for continuous price increases. Additionally, the Trump administration's tariffs on imported goods have particularly impacted the gallery's custom frame orders from countries like Italy and the Philippines.
"Since the tariffs have gone in, I've gotten three price increases already from various distributors, because the stuff's made in Italy and they don't have a choice," Allen explained. "So whatever country is affected on a weekly basis by the changes is going to be one that's going to be more expensive." He noted that he was accustomed to one price increase per year in an industry without large profit margins, making the recent rapid increases particularly challenging.
As a luxury business, the gallery has been among the first to feel the impact of tightened household budgets. Allen acknowledged the reality that when people struggle to afford basic necessities, art and framing services are often the first expenses to be cut. "You got to have milk and eggs. You don't have to go buy a $400 painting," he said, recognizing that there's currently a limit to what people will spend on art. The competition from cheap prints available online has also affected sales of original artwork.
The gallery's role in Salem's artistic ecosystem extends far beyond its commercial operations. About a decade ago, the business pivoted from primarily framing prints and posters to featuring original work by local artists and hosting regular art shows. Last year, it solidified its position as a launching pad for emerging artists by partnering with Artists in Action to create a co-op gallery space. If the business closes, it would eliminate one of the few places in Salem where local artists can regularly sell their work and develop their careers.
The idea for the fundraising auction came from Artists in Action member Allyson Flagg-Miller, who suggested the event after Allen explained the gallery's dire financial situation. The nonprofit organization quickly got involved with organizing and promoting the auction, emphasizing the gallery's importance to the community. "The Elsinore Framing & Art Gallery is part of the social, economic and artistic collective that makes Salem a wonderful experience for everyone," the organization stated. "After nearly 40 years of remarkable contributions to the culture that makes Salem a destination city, the Elsinore Framing & Art Gallery needs your help."
Allen's primary goal for the auction is to pay off approximately half of the outstanding SBA loan, which would reduce the financial burden on the part-owner who personally guaranteed it when repayment comes due in about 25 years. Beyond that immediate need, he hopes the event will generate enough revenue to keep the gallery operational through its 40th anniversary celebration in June. The community response to the auction has been remarkable, with local businesses contributing packages and gifts for the silent auction, artists donating original pieces and supplies like easels, and individuals bringing in everything from antique fountain pens to collections of vintage buttons.
"At the end of September, it didn't look like that was going to happen," Allen reflected on the prospect of reaching the 40-year milestone. "They don't want to see us go away. The art community has really stepped up." With no backup plan and no remaining savings after exhausting the SBA loan funds following August's poor performance, the auction represents a critical lifeline for the gallery and the broader Salem arts community it serves.
