University Art History

Laurie Capiello and Virginia Biondi
University Art Founders

University Art has been supplying the creative needs of the Bay Area for 70 years. We started as an art supply store in Palo Alto in 1948, and since then have been providing art supplies, framing, and custom framing to the wide, creative audience of Silicon Valley and Sacramento.

In our 78 years, we have opened branches far and near, moved, adapted to the changing needs of our customers and Silicon Valley and technology, and have since settled into 3 locations providing our customers a service-friendly and educational shopping experience.

Our story began in 1947 when the Cappiello family moved from New York City to Palo Alto, CA. In 1948, Laurie and Ginny, along with their father, Anthony Cappiello, purchased a small stationery store on University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. Anthony painted, so they added art supplies and eventually, wall and photo frames. They learned the art of custom framing and became one of the best custom frame stores.

Although we have moved, expanded, and retracted over the years, we have maintained that our mission is to provide knowledgeable, experienced, friendly customer service throughout, helping our customers with all of their creative needs. We hope you will experience for yourself: whether you are looking for art supplies, framing, a creative gift, art classes or workshops…if it’s creative, it’s here.

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