Jameson Gallery - About Us

About Us

The Jameson Art Group was founded in 1992 as Jameson Gallery & Frame by Michael Rancourt, a native Mainer who had returned to the State after residing for several years on the West Coast. Rancourt had enjoyed a long career as the leader and wildly gregarious front-man of Buffalo Chip Tea, one of the Northeast’s most popular Rhythm & Blues bands from the late 1970’s through the mid 1980s. After a subsequent spell as an actor and musician in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Michael and his wife and future business partner, Martha Gilmartin moved back east to raise their children in his home state.

The gallery originally began as a custom frame shop on Forest Avenue in a space formerly occupied by a well established framer. Because of Michael’s musical background the new venture was briefly called Ain’t That a Frame. That name lasted exactly one day! The very first customer to walk into the new store asked to whom she should make her check payable. When told it should be made out to Ain’t That a Frame, the sweet, elderly woman looked up at the young shopkeeper and in a stern voice exclaimed, “I don’t like Heluva Good Cheese and I don’t like Ain’t That a Frame!” That evening the sign came down and was replaced by the Jameson Gallery & Frame banner. The new name was chosen as a tribute to Michael’s father-in-law, James “Bud” Gilmartin (1923-2008) who was known throughout the picture framing industry as “The Framer’s Friend” and “The Walking Encyclopedia of Frames”. Bud spent many productive years working on the supply side of framing and was always the go to person when a quick answer on framing resources was needed. His sage advice was invaluable and he was a great mentor, supporter and friend who will forever be greatly missed and fondly remembered. (click here for an image of our mentor)

Early on, the frame shop and gallery featured the work of several local artists but it quickly became apparent that Portland’s historic Old Port would serve as a better home for the fledgling business. In late 1993 Jameson Gallery & Frame moved to a new location at 217 Commercial Street on the Portland waterfront.

Over the next five years the business grew and garnered a loyal clientele, many of whom were summer residents who would “save up” their framing needs throughout the winter months and bring the work to Portland to be framed at Jameson Gallery during their annual summer visits to Maine. The business was also heavily invested in giving back to the community by supporting several organizations with donations of artworks, framing, appraisals and auctioneer services. Portland Stage Company, The Portland Symphony, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, The Jimmy Fund, Ronald McDonald House, The Nature Conservancy, Portland Trails, Friends of Casco Bay, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine, VSA of Maine, The Portland Museum of Art, MeCA, The Children’s Museum of Maine and many other worthy causes have been supported by the gallery over the years.

In 1998 the growing gallery moved to a much larger space at 305 Commercial Street where the business continued to expand its vision. The focus of the gallery shifted from emerging artists to mid and late career artists and Michael began dealing investment quality paintings as well as the estates of deceased artists. In 2002 the Jameson Estate Collection was founded in a separate but adjacent space on Commercial Street and the new gallery mounted a series of exhibitions featuring work from several important 19th and 20th century artists.

In 2005 Jameson Gallery had the opportunity to begin planning an exhibit of the works of renowned Modernist, William Manning and that exhibit necessitated yet another branch of the gallery’s scope – Jameson Modern. The Modern was immediately successful and continues to be the primary focus of The Jameson Art Group to this day.

After a decade and a half on Commercial Street Jameson Gallery moved to its current location at 377 Cumberland Avenue. Michael handed over the reins of the frame shop to his former employees and Master Framers, Andrew Wilen and Graham Wood and they now reside at 61 Pleasant Street in Portland as Art House Picture Frames. In spite of the separation of the two business entities the gallery and frame shop continue to work closely together by offering a full range of services to the loyal clientele who have supported both businesses over the years.