about

About Vashon Island Framery’s owner

Brooke Gassiot brings a lifelong connection to art, craftsmanship, and creative community to Vashon Island Framery.

Her framing journey began in Austin, Texas, where she worked at Nueces Street Art Gallery. There, she learned every aspect of the custom framing process—from frame design and mat cutting to glass cutting, mounting artwork, building frames, art sales, and gallery exhibitions. That early experience sparked a lasting appreciation for the role thoughtful framing plays in preserving and presenting art.

Raised in her mother’s art studio, Brooke grew up surrounded by artists and makers. Her father is a master craftsman, and together her parents instilled a deep appreciation for skilled making and creative work. She studied art at the University of Texas, worked in Cera-Mix ceramics studio during college, and had the opportunity to further her artistic education through study in Italy. After graduation, she maintained her own studio practice while becoming deeply involved in Austin’s vibrant arts community.

Brooke was a co-founder of Icosa Gallery, an artist-run gallery collective that transformed a former auto shop into a thriving contemporary art space. The gallery, which continues to operate today, became known for its monthly exhibitions featuring local and emerging artists.

Since moving to Vashon Island in 2021, Brooke has continued her commitment to supporting the arts. She is an exhibiting artist with an active painting practice, attends weekly life drawing sessions, and has a genuine love for the art supplies and tools that help artists create the valuable contributions they bring to our community. For several years, she has assisted with the installation of rotating exhibitions at the Vashon Center for the Arts, helping bring the work of local and regional artists to the community.

At Vashon Island Framery, Brooke combines technical framing knowledge, artistic understanding, and a genuine love for helping people celebrate and preserve the artwork, photographs, memorabilia, and meaningful objects that tell their stories.