Morning Star celebrates art

PRESQUE ISLE – Morning Star Art and Framing is a shop that celebrates the uniqueness of living in Maine, and especially in Aroostook County. Owners Brian Brissette and Jane Caulfield feel that it is the painters, photographers, potters and other artisans that set this beautiful place apart from any other.  Open for a little over a year and a half, they’ve built a reputation with artists and artisans throughout “The County” and the state as a successful outlet for their work.  Local  residents and visitors are also recognizing the shop as the place to go for Maine-made gifts.  
“Word is getting around that this is the place to go if you love things made by a skilled artisan’s hands or by an artist who are inspired by this northern land and its people,” said Caulfield.
Morning Star carries American Indian baskets, paintings and photography, jewelry and knitted and fabric handbags. If you stop in, Jane or Brian can tell you about each artist and their work, if you have the time and interest.
On the framing side of things, the shop is getting a great reputation as the place for artists to have their work matted and framed with archival quality materials.  
    They also take great pride in helping customers find exactly the right frame for their photos and mementos that will keep them looking their best for many years. Most recently, they have started making shadow boxes.
“The thing we love the best about our job is what the framing industry calls the ‘wow factor,’” Caulfield explained. “Often customers will bring in a photo or print, and spend the time they need to pick out something that they like, that looks great with the picture and also matches their décor. When they pick it up a couple weeks later they say ‘WOW!’ … I like when that happens.”
Customers can visit Jane and Brian at Morning Star Art and Framing located at 422 Main Street in Presque Isle. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They can be reached by telephone at 764-1810 or via e-mail at msart@gwi.net.
Brian adds that the shop has also launched a Web site where customers can browse everything from art to jewelry and teddy bears and shop while still in their pajamas. They can be found at www.morningstarart.net.