Art Creations has hired Jessica Mines Dumitru as COO and co-owner. From left, Jason Mines, frame shop manager; Tony Mines, president and CEO, and Ms. Dumitru.
Art Creations founder and CEO, Tony Mines, announces a new addition to the management team of Chattanooga business. Jessica Mines Dumitru joins her father, her brother, Jason Mines, and their employees as she becomes the new chief operating officer and co-owner of the 45-year-old business. Art Creations has two locations in Chattanooga, 201 Frazier Ave. and the Commons Boulevard location near Hamilton Place.
Ms. Dumitru brings to her new job a background in business and finance as a result of her years as an attorney, both in Tennessee and Texas. A graduate of The University of the South at Sewanee with a graduate degree from New York University and her J.D. from Texas A & M., Ms. Dumitru acknowledges her excitement in returning home to the business where she often worked as a young person.
“I’m a firm believer in the value of the small business in our economic system," said Ms. Dumitru. "The fact that I’m joining a family-owned and family-managed business that has been an integral player in Chattanooga’s arts community for almost 50 years excites me. I’ve watched my father build a successful business on a foundation of knowledge, hard work and a continued drive to learn and excel. Working alongside him to move Art Creations forward is the ideal next step for me. Entrepreneurship fits perfectly with my personal and professional goals.”
Art Creations specializes in custom picture framing, fine and graphic art supplies and arts education for individuals and groups. The only Tennessee business to have two nationally-certified framers on staff, Art Creations is also the only business with a Guild-certified framer, credentialed by the Professional Picture Framers Association. CEO Tony Mines also serves on the International Board of Directors of National Art Material Trade Association, representing small retail art businesses. Jason Mines is the frame shop manager and a skilled artisan with almost 15 year of experience.
Tony Mines founded Art Creations after apprenticing to George Little of the Little Art Shop and returning to Chattanooga following his service with the U. S. Army. The Mines family now owns the building on Frazier Avenue where he served his apprenticeship and a second location at Commons Boulevard.
Ms. Dumitru combines her love of business with active community involvement. She is the current regent of the Chief John Ross Chapter, DAR, holds offices at both the state and national level with DAR, is a member of the 2016-2017 Leadership Chattanooga class and serves on the Small Business Sub-Committee of Mayor’s Council on Women. She and husband, Michael J. Dumitru, an attorney with Miller and Martin are the parents of two children, Noah James, 3 and Lorelei Eras, 1.