28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM and she knows everybody in Burlingame.” Those relationships are why Janet will continue to play a supporting role at the gallery. “I have clients that I’ve worked with for 30 years. They’re going to want to work with me, I’m going to want to work with them,” Janet says. “I know every wall in every house they have and what piece of art’s on it or what frame is on the art.” That generational legacy is the glue that keeps this place going strong, Stephanie points out. “Clients were friends with John and Martha, and then their kids would come and work with Janet, and now the next generation comes in and they work with me!” Stephanie says she meets people whose parents collected art from Janet and Carl, and that she’s honored to be able to introduce their children to incredible art. Just because Studio Shop Gallery is over a century old doesn’t mean it’s dated. “You constantly have to reinvent yourself,” Stephanie says, emphasizing a motto that Janet and Carl drilled into her. “We can never become the ‘old lady gallery!’” Which is why, when the place next door recently became available, they expanded, knocking through the wall and brightening the interior with bold accent walls and modern furniture. “I am thrilled beyond belief that Stephanie’s taking over and it’s staying in the family,” Janet says. That’s not to say the decision to step back was easy. Janet has swept the gallery’s floors since she was old enough to hold a broom and used to bike there with her sisters to spend time with their dad. After taking over the gallery from her parents John and Martha Benson, she dedicated decades of her career to this place and formed countless relationships. “I’ve said it was easier to let go of my kids,” Janet laughs. “It raised me, fed me—and it’s going to do the same for Stephanie.” Janet mulls over how best to put in words what this place means to her. “It’s my life, it’s not a business,” she says finally. “And Stephanie treats it like it’s her life and not a business.” What has Stephanie learned from Janet? “Everything!” Stephanie declares. “She’s been an incredible mentor for me … PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ANNIE BARNETT / STUDIO SHOP GALLERY GETTING FRAMED The Studio Shop Gallery takes its framing services seriously and has even done framing projects for museum exhibitions in Europe. “A frame can make or break a piece of art,” Janet maintains. Take a Rembrandt out of its original frame, replace it with a flimsy contemporary frame and “it wouldn’t be the masterpiece that it is.” {punchline}
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