brandi dice
Store owner, Brandi Dice, has been custom framing for over ten years. Her framing career started when she was working as an assistant manager at Hobby Lobby in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 2011, Brandi opened her own custom framing shop, The Art Lounge. She wanted to create a funky, welcoming space where people from near and far could visit and discover creative works of art from the hands of local artists or choose the perfect frame.
Barb Ballantine
Front End Gallery Manager and Framing Assistant.
Barb Ballantine, also Brandi’s aunt, has been a part of the Art Lounge staff since May 2015. She lived in western New York for most of her life and after retiring from owning pharmacies, was looking for a change. She visited Spartanburg to help Brandi out at the Art Lounge. Loving art since she was young, she adapted quickly to the surroundings. Barb has made friends with most of the artists and takes interest in the art in the front gallery, hosting a new artist, with Brandi’s help, every month at Art Walk. She makes sure the featured artist is showcased and takes care of refreshments for the guests. She also loves when unique pieces of art come into the store to be framed. She helps Brandi with all aspects of framing; picking out frames, picking out mats, cutting mats and glass, and finally, putting the end piece together! She also enjoys coming to work, because she can bring her retired Shih Tzu, Joey B!
Barb Ballantine, also Brandi’s aunt, has been a part of the Art Lounge staff since May 2015. She lived in western New York for most of her life and after retiring from owning pharmacies, was looking for a change. She visited Spartanburg to help Brandi out at the Art Lounge. Loving art since she was young, she adapted quickly to the surroundings. Barb has made friends with most of the artists and takes interest in the art in the front gallery, hosting a new artist, with Brandi’s help, every month at Art Walk. She makes sure the featured artist is showcased and takes care of refreshments for the guests. She also loves when unique pieces of art come into the store to be framed. She helps Brandi with all aspects of framing; picking out frames, picking out mats, cutting mats and glass, and finally, putting the end piece together! She also enjoys coming to work, because she can bring her retired Shih Tzu, Joey B!
Joey Ballantine, Art Lounge Dog!
Joey B has been around the Art Lounge for as long as his mom has. He grew up in Tonawanda, NY and after being passed around, ended up with his mom in Williamsville, NY. He never dreamed that he would become a traveler, like his mom. Throughout his younger years he traveled back and forth through Canada to see his grandparents and the rest of his furry friend family, cousin’s Molly and Carly (may they now rest in doggie heaven). Even at a young age Joey went to work on the weekends with his mom, doing paperwork at her stores in the western NY area. He has moved to a few houses too. Stating “my mom doesn’t know where she wants to live!” After a short stint living in Michigan, he now lives on the East side of Spartanburg. He loves being with his mom at work! He usually can be found in his chair by the front door sleeping. Seems like the dog loving customers and little kids enjoy his company, too! In the summer he vacations with his grandparents in Michigan. It’s his time to spend quality time with grams and gramps being spoiled, relaxing on the porch and riding on their golf cart. “So I guess I will see you in October.” Keep an eye out for Joey B featured as “The Art Dog” a video for the Art Lounge.
Olivia Bradley |
Meet our new blogger, Olivia Bradley! Olivia graduated from Converse College with a BA in Studio Art and a minor in Arts Management in 2017. She is an artist and loves to mess around with a variety of different mediums. Olivia has participated in shows like The Juried Art Show at Converse College and The Vagina Monologues Charity art auction at Coastal Carolina University. Come by and chat!
