There’s a lot behind creating any brand, and making the decision to live your passion can be terrifying. Laurence Chandler left a graphic design position at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC, while Wanda Jackson left a public relations position at IBM’s Federal Systems Division in Northern Virginia. The two met at a small business seminar. Jackson subsequently tapped Chandler’s freelance graphic design business to create several of her division's marketing booklets.
In the early 2000s, Chandler, an artist, and Jackson, a writer, founded J.C. Ventures, Inc. Their first venture was Graphiti Gems® greeting cards, a popular line marketed direct to consumers, and through small boutiques and bookstores in the Washington-DC Metro Area. They opened their first brick-and-mortar gallery using the same brand name to market Black Art. For nearly two decades, they operated successful galleries in DC, and a gallery and custom framing warehouse in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Chandler and Jackson have helped novice and experienced art collectors, as well as corporate clients select artwork aligned with their interests, style, identity and budget. Chandler also has created commissions based on their clients’ specific requests. They have provided custom framing and matting services, offering expert advice on materials, conservation framing and design to create a visually appealing presentation.
Their priority today is building and maintaining a strong brand identity, image and recognition for Chandler’s art and Laurence Chandler Fine Art, an E-commerce business operating under their privately-owned company, J.C.Ventures, Inc.
Laurence E. Chandler
BFA in Graphic Design, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Masters in Education, Coppin State University
U.S. Air Force (4 years)
Wanda Jackson
Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, The University of Alabama
Picture Framing - Certification, Larson-Juhl