Axel’s Gallery & Frame Shop lands a new owner

March 19, 2026  |  By Sarah Andrews  |  Correspondent

Whitney Aldrich (left) has sold Axel's Gallery and Frame Shop to colleague Liz Walsh (right), owner of The Drawing Board in Montpelier. Photo by Gordon Miller

After more than three years of searching for a new owner, Axel’s Gallery & Frame Shop has changed hands. 

The Drawing Board, an art supplies and framing business in downtown Montpelier, has acquired the gallery and frame shop. Axel’s now-former owner, Whitney Aldrich, said she and The Drawing Board owner Liz Walsh share a common goal “to protect what makes this business special and ensure its long-term health.”

The ownership transfer happened last week.

Aldrich had been searching for a buyer for the longtime Waterbury business since 2022. She owned the Stowe Street gallery for over 10 years, having purchased it from namesake Axel Stohlberg, who opened the shop in 1983 across Stowe Street from its current location. When she bought Axel’s, Aldrich said she was determined to bring a fine art gallery to downtown Waterbury. She succeeded, and Axel’s has become a fixture of the art community in town with a rotating schedule of art shows and exhibitions year-round. 

The gallery shows work of Vermont artists, hosts events, and supports opportunities for community engagement in the arts, such as participating in events like Art in the Alley and running unique events such as the annual Shoot Out photography contest and a holiday sale of small-scale art pieces from a wide range of artists.

Beyond a space for people to gather and appreciate fine art, Axel’s has, for almost 50 years, provided quality framing services for a wide range of clientele, from individuals to commercial customers. Aldrich says that framing is good business, especially with Waterbury’s growing demand. 

Aldrich began looking for a new owner after moving the business across the street three years ago, saying she felt it was time for her to take a step back. But it was just this past summer that Aldrich said she began to discuss an ownership role with Walsh, proprietor of The Drawing Board since 2017. The Montpelier shop has had several owners since it opened in 1975. It has now been operating as a framing and art supply shop for over 50 years. The business has been through multiple floods, given its location on Main Street in Montpelier. 

Describing her relationship with Walsh as longtime collaborators, more so than competitors, Aldrich said The Drawing Board is a natural choice to continue at Axel’s.

“We feel like it's an already existing healthy relationship that's going to get healthier,” Aldrich said. 

Walsh says she’s looking forward to adding this new role in Waterbury.

Having completed the purchase of Axel's Gallery and Frame Shop from Whitney Aldrich (right), new owner Liz Walsh (left) plans to add retail art supplies to the shop's framing business.  Photo by Gordon Miller

“I’ve been in this industry for a long time,” Walsh said. “ I have an understanding of what it will take to run and maintain the quality that Axel’s has been providing the community for a long time.” 

Though the shop will keep its name, artists and shoppers can expect a few changes at Axel’s. Over the next few months, Axel’s will grow its retail offerings as The Drawing Board focuses on meeting the community's need for art supplies.

Liz Walsh has owned and operated The Drawing Board in Montpelier since 2017. Photo by Gordon Miller

Following the closure of The Studio Store in Johnson, Walsh said she thinks adding an art supply store in downtown Waterbury will be a welcome addition for central Vermont artists.

“There's a hole that could be filled there. I think having some art supplies in Waterbury will be beneficial to the community,” Walsh said.

Though the new ownership will shift focus away from the gallery space, Axel’s longtime framing business is not going anywhere. Axel’s certified picture framer, Kate Montross, will stay on board and collaborate with Walsh’s team to continue providing that service to customers. 

Walsh said she is excited about the expansion. “Having a bigger crew will allow us to do some different things,” she said. “It will allow us to push ourselves more.”

Most importantly, Aldrich said she hopes that the community embraces the new ownership as much as they have supported her over the years.

“Take the time to learn your new neighbor, support them,” Aldrich said, “Axel’s is such a unique business to have in a community.”