- November 25, 2024
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Victoria Jones is the recipient of a Standing O award, presented annually by the Observer to citizens involved with the community.
Julia Truilo, executive director of Ormond MainStreet, said she can go to Victoria Jones with a wacky request, and Jones always responds with enthusiasm. Like the time Truilo asked her to provide an art spinner for Granada Grand Festival of the Arts.
“She and her staff made one from an old bicycle pedal,” Truilo said, smiling at the memory.
Truilo also recounts Jones making art décor for events at Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens.
Jones, who owns Frame of Mind Custom Framing and Art Gallery, 23 W. Granada Blvd., has a passion for making the downtown an arts district and a vibrant business community.
“She has been very active in helping build the downtown merchants organization and has helped create events that bring people to historic Ormond Beach,” Truilo said.
It was Jones and couple of other gallery owners who started the Art Walk, now happening the first Saturday of each month. Jones said recently that she now believes Ormond has an arts district.
“It’s been a long journey,” she said.
Jones said there are more creative people in the area than some might think, pointing out how fast Arts on Granada filled up with local artists when it opened.
Having an arts district means artist have an outlet for expression, and residents don’t have to drive out of town to experience art. And she includes music in the arts.
“You can tell by attendance at art and music festivals that there is an interest,” she said.
Being a business owner, Jones is also active in boosting MainStreet. She organized Small Business Saturday with 50 businesses exhibiting their wares outside Frame of Mind.
“Victoria is a member of the Ormond Beach Arts District Board as well as the Board at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. She is a tireless 'behind the scenes' worker for both organizations and brings a fresh energy and perspective to the civic projects she is involved in.”
JULIA TRUILO, executive director, Ormond MainStreet
Businesses working together is the only way they can be successful, she said. She would love to see a trolley taking people from one part of town to the other.
She agrees with the recent Downtown Master Plan committee that parking is one of the biggest issues, but believes much could be solved if there were more awareness of available parking.
She’s optimistic about the future, pointing out new businesses such as the sushi restaurant planned for the corner of North Beach Street and New Britain Avenue. The area could use more retail, she said.
Her energy is also evident in her own business, which is constantly evolving. The biggest part is framing, and she is expanding into helping customers arrange art in their home, along with lighting.
Her current project is a room in Frame of Mind called “The Space” for pop-up meetings. Noting that many people conduct business in the popular Gold Leaf Coffee Co., located in Frame of Mind, The Space provides a meeting room.
“It’s part of an outreach to the community,” she said.
She’s excited that, in the next month, the front of her building, the Buschman Building, is going to get a makeover on the Granada Boulevard side with Spanish tile, a style that would be consistent for when the building was constructed.
Jones studied art at Seabreeze High School and later photography at Daytona State College. While at college, she worked in a framing shop. Now her art, photography and framing skills are coming together at Frame of Mind and to the benefit of the community.
