Jean Rigsbee’s background is rooted in art. She holds a BFA in painting, and while she was in art school she began doing her own framing and learned the basics of cutting glass and building frames. After graduation, she tried the office world, but it didn’t take long to realize that framing felt much more like her.
“I just loved it,” Jean says. “I love taking something and transposing it in a day. It’s so rewarding.” Her framing career eventually took her to Raleigh, where she first built a mobile framing business, traveling across the state to clients’ homes with frame samples in the back of her van. She loved being able to see the artwork in its actual environment, taking into account the colors, style, and character of a client’s home while helping them choose the perfect frame.
Then, earlier this year, Jean and her sister came to Edenton. The two had been exploring coastal towns like Washington and Manteo, and when they visited Edenton on in March, something clicked. Within a month she made the move!
Now, The Bare Wall is her full service frame shop. She also offers ready-made frames, and if choosing a frame feels overwhelming, Jean is happy to bring the process to you. She still offers in-home consultations, allowing her to see the colors and style of a client’s home and help create something that feels like it belongs there.
But The Bare Wall is more than a frame shop. It’s a boutique with an artist’s eye for color and design. And Jean has filled the gallery with pieces from artists around the Carolinas, including work by some longtime friends. She also incorporates her own creative work, including art quilts and shadow boxes. She even builds her own bird houses!
That combination is what makes The Bare Wall such a lively addition to downtown. It’s part frame shop, part gallery, part design studio, and a vibrant reflection of the person behind it. We’re glad you’re here, Jean!
The Bare Wall is located at 114 East King Street. Stop by or contact Jean at (919) 787-9920.