Pride Month in the San Francisco Bay Area  is a time to celebrate the history, creativity, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. At Walter Adams Framing, we have the privilege of working with artwork and memorabilia that reflect a wide range of personal stories, cultural movements, and artistic perspectives.

It’s also a reminder of our core company values, especially our team’s general appreciation for equality. We believe that a high level of service goes hand-in-hand with a high level of respect for our clients and the pieces we frame.

Celebrating Pride Month: 5 Favorite Custom Framing Projects

In honor of Pride, we’re looking back at five LGBTQ+-related pieces that stood out to our team. Some celebrate iconic artists and activists, while others highlight important moments in LGBTQ+ history and culture. Each project presented a unique opportunity to preserve and showcase something meaningful, reminding us that a key component of custom framing is honoring people’s stories.

1. 2015 US Supreme Court Decision

This print, which on the surface is the colors of the rainbow, is actually the text of the US Supreme Court decision in the case Hodges v Obergefell. On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled in this landmark decision that the 14th Amendment requires all states to license marriages between same-sex couples and to recognize all marriages that were lawfully performed out of state. 

The ruling marked one of the fastest shifts in public opinion and legal recognition in U.S. history and fundamentally altered the definition of family and legal equality in America.

2. Elvira, Queen of Horror and LGBTQ+ Icon

When a custom framer receives a comic signed by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, featuring the Queen of Horror, he pairs it with a frame that perfectly matches the macabre theme. The aptly named “Dragula” frame by Wicked Tacky Frames was the perfect choice. The frame was paired with a red linen mat and glazed with Optium Museum Acrylic by Tru Vue for maximum clarity and protection.

Elvira (aka Cassandra Peterson) is a longstanding LGBTQ+ icon and ally. After hiding her relationship for nearly 20 years to preserve the “mystique” of the Elvira brand, Peterson publicly came out in her memoir. She initially feared backlash but was met with an overwhelmingly positive and supportive response from the queer community.

3. Rainbow Heart

The rainbow heart is a widely recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, love, and inclusion. By combining the universal symbol of the heart with the colors of the Pride flag, it represents support, acceptance, and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. The rainbow heart is often used to express allyship, solidarity, and a commitment to embracing people of all identities and backgrounds.

As a San Francisco picture framing store, diversity helps us stay strong. Our business model promotes equality, respect, and acknowledgement of clients and employees during Pride Month and everyday of the year. 

4. Capricorn Framing Watercolor Storefront

Capricorn Framing is a LGBTQ+ owned and operated business, and is the sister store of Walter Adams Framing. Earlier this year, Capricorn Framing celebrated its 20th anniversary, and continues to be recognized as a leader in quality preservation framing. 

As an art-centered business, Capricorn Framing wanted to reimagine their storefront as art. Canadian artist Lisa McKaskell brought the storefront to life in a watercolor painting. Valco Ornate Frames designed a custom frame that was truly distinctive. The result was art wrapped around art, crafted with the same care and rarity that define bespoke design.

5. GGBA Anniversary Gala at San Francisco City Hall

The co-owners of Walter Adams Framing, Lloyd Haddad and Keith Wicker, on the stairs of San Francisco City Hall at the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) Anniversary Gala. The GGBA celebrated their 50th anniversary in June 2024. Custom framing pending!

The Golden Gate Business Association is the world’s first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce in U.S history, built specially for the next generation of Bay Area small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Pride Month at a San Francisco Picture Frame Store

These projects represent just a small sample of the many meaningful pieces that come through our shop each year. As a San Francisco picture frame store, we are proud to serve a diverse community of artists, collectors, designers, and families.

From landmark moments in LGBTQ+ history to personal expressions of identity, art has the power to tell stories, spark conversations, and preserve what matters most. As we celebrate Pride Month, we’re grateful for the opportunity to help protect and showcase these stories through thoughtful custom framing. We remain committed to creating a welcoming environment for every client and treating each piece with the care, respect, and craftsmanship it deserves.