Gallery Ottaviani

Stefano Ottaviani opened Gallery Ottaviani in 1992 after changes in the economy encouraged him to use his skills and knowledge of framing, materials, and paints to go into business. Soon thereafter local homeowners, artists, businesses, educational and medical institutions began to depend on Stefano's high level of museum quality custom framing.

The care given to each piece and Stefano's gift for color coordination caused Gallery Ottaviani to build a flow of steady customers to the point of reliability it has reached today. Stefano's skills were spread mostly by word of mouth and Gallery Ottaviani put down roots. Then, the building that first housed Gallery Ottaviani at 240 Hooker Avenue was taken down to become the new home of the Hooker Avenue Rite Aid. Stefano then had to find another location for Gallery Ottaviani. Within a few months, he rented and later bought the old Briar Patch building, located at 214 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie on his beloved Hooker Ave. Stefano single handedly restored the building trying to keep its old fasion mom and pop store front look that is so often lost in this modern day of big business and one stop shopping. It is in this building that the current Gallery Ottaviani continues to grow and flourish.

Over the years Stefano has provided his services for countless homeowners and area businesses with custom framing, oil painting restorations, photo restorations, shadow boxes, and special effects wall units such as the lighted stained glass found in the Vassar Hospital Chapel. And as they appreciate his talent, Stef has regularly framed for a number of local artists. Also among his regular clients, in addition to countless area homeowners, Stef has served the needs of Vassar Hospital, Vassar College, the Poughkeepsie Heart Center, the Culinary Institute of America, Poughkeepsie Day School, and Cunneen Hacket Cultural Center doing both individual and large, multi-piece assignments.