by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
Every picture, every diploma and every keep sake should have a frame to compliment its beauty and Amy Petty has a handle on that.
Petty is the frame manager at Reddi-Arts located in San Marco. She has worked with the art gallery, art supply store and gift shop for about two and a half years.
A Florida native, Petty grew up south of Miami, went to college at the University of Florida where she received her bachelor’s in scientific illustration and moved to Jacksonville three years ago to be closer to family. Besides spending a few years in the western United States where she moved “just to enjoy it,” she has spent most of her life in Florida.
Petty became a professional framer in 1980 when she answered an ad in a Gainesville newspaper.
“I never really expected it to lead to a profession,” she said.
When she began working for Reddi-Arts, she became a part of a team of five framers, each with 15 to 20 years of experience, who work closely together to provide customers with the best way to preserve their works of art and memorabilia.
“We try to explore all of the possibilities, for conservation and framing, and we make sure (the customer) gets a high quality product,” said Petty. “Customer satisfaction is very important to me.”
It’s this approach to customer service that Petty and her staff makes that provide Reddi-Arts with repeat customers.
Petty, also an artist, enjoys her job for many reasons.
“It’s like an oasis within the downtown area,” she said. “There’s a quiet in here that you couldn’t tell from the outside.”
Petty sees herself staying with Reddi-Arts for a while.
“My goal to be continuing to help Reddi-Arts build the most excellent custom framing department in Jacksonville,” she said.
Petty’s interests lie in Tai Chi, sailing, hiking and reading. The author who has made a profound impact on her is Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn.
“He works for peace, and talks a lot about mindfulness and living in the present moment,” she said.