Davenport Imports & Arts in Baltimore: Custom Framing with Global Textiles and Artwork
Davenport Imports & Arts is a custom framing shop on North Avenue that doubles as a retail space for imported textiles, fine art prints, and decorative objects sourced primarily from West Africa and Southeast Asia. The operation combines frame design and execution with curation of finished pieces, making it distinct from production-focused chain framers in the region.
What Davenport Imports & Arts actually is
The business occupies a street-level storefront and functions as two integrated services. The framing side handles design consultation, mat cutting, glass selection, and assembly for fine art, textiles, posters, and personal items like diplomas and memorabilia. The retail side stocks bolts of West African kente and mudcloth, hand-carved masks and sculptures, woven baskets, and curated prints. The owner sources directly from artisans and suppliers, which shapes both the inventory and the sensibility of the framing recommendations offered to customers.
Services and pricing
Davenport frames custom orders in-house. Basic framing for a standard 8x10 print with simple mat and glass runs approximately $80 to $150 depending on mat color choice and frame style. Larger pieces, specialty glazing (UV-protective or anti-reflective), and hand-finished frames can reach $400 or more. The shop does not publish tiered packages; pricing is generated after consultation on materials and complexity.
The retail side carries ready-made framed prints priced between $40 and $200, as well as unframed textiles and objects at varying price points. Bolts of kente cloth typically run $30 to $70 per yard. Wooden masks and smaller sculptures range from $25 to $250.
Turnaround for custom framing is typically 2 to 3 weeks, though simple jobs may be completed faster; confirm timing when placing an order.
How Davenport compares to other Baltimore framing options
Chain framers like Michaels offer lower per-unit costs and faster turnaround (sometimes same-day for basic jobs) but limited mat and frame variety and no design guidance beyond template suggestions. Aaron Brothers, located in a few Baltimore-area locations, occupies middle ground on price and speed but operates on a similar template-based model.
Davenport's advantage lies in design collaboration and the integration of imported materials. If you are framing a textile, African mask, or layered personal collection and want a frame that honors the object's cultural or aesthetic context, the owner's sourcing background and direct relationships with suppliers create options unavailable at chain shops. If you need a frame in 48 hours or are mounting a poster on a budget, a chain framer is faster and cheaper.
Independent framers elsewhere in Baltimore, such as those operating from home studios or small galleries, may offer similarly personalized service but typically do not carry complementary retail inventory or the same depth in non-Western art and textiles.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Davenport serves customers framing African and Asian textiles, masks, or fine art prints; those seeking design input rather than self-service selection; and collectors looking to acquire finished pieces or raw materials for DIY projects. The shop also works well for owners of older homes in Federal Hill, Canton, or Fells Point seeking frame and decor choices that align with community aesthetics and independent retail.
It does not suit anyone needing same-day framing, customers on rigid budgets seeking the lowest per-frame cost, or those looking for a wide selection of contemporary mass-produced art and frames. Customers uncomfortable with design consultation or preferring to bring in their own frame choice from elsewhere may find the collaborative approach slower than self-directed options.
What the first visit involves
Walk in with the item to be framed or browse the retail stock. The owner or staff member will discuss the piece, ask about the intended space, and review frame samples and mat colors. If you are purchasing a finished piece, selection is immediate. For custom framing, expect a 15 to 30 minute conversation, after which you receive a written quote and timeline. Payment typically occurs at order placement, with a deposit of 50 percent for custom work.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Davenport operates Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is closed Sunday and Monday. Street parking is available on North Avenue, though availability varies by time of day; the surrounding blocks often have open spaces within one block. The storefront is accessible by foot from the North Avenue Light Rail station, roughly a 5 to 10 minute walk depending on direction.
Davenport fills a niche between disposable chain framing and high-end art conservation, anchoring North Avenue's independent retail character while serving customers who view framing as design and curation rather than commodity service.
