One-hundred-ten percent

“You come in and have fun,” daughter-in-law Stephanie Martin said.

I’ve seen some museums that feel little more than a gallery. How refreshing to enter a local gallery that feels more like a museum in the best sense. Not stuffy, nor pretentious, just lively and their favorite operative word is “fun.”

 The space is luminous and so is the artwork for their “Forever Young” celebratory exhibition through Sept. 30.

A 6-foot-tall blue translucent resin statue by Joan Benefiel flanks the entry. One full wall carries a bright Roland Petersen depicting a picnic in bold saturated primary colors. Gold and silver foils, burned and applied to metal mesh paintings by Mirang Wonne shimmer across the room, and display subtle depth close up. Eve Steccati’s sinuous floral watercolor echoes Georgia O’Keefe. Tennis ball size ceramic animals by Fred Yokel amuse.

“The art starts here,” Janet Martin said.

You can actually start right there if you are new to fine art. The Studio Shop Gallery is a full-featured art hub, with services from art and design consulting in their space or yours, collection management, custom framing, delivery and installation, plus connection to art conservation for those treasures that need tender loving care.

The Martins are true curators.

It’s not unusual for a professional framing studio to have a gallery, a way to show how a painting might look in your home and how skilled framing is itself an art. Janet Martin custom designs frames, along with her extensive stock. Their framing choice is extraordinary, beyond what most shops carry: Italian sgraffito gold on black, hand carved wood suitable for the de Young, fine Brazilian leather or simpler float frames from China.

It has been all in the family for the Martin-Bensons these past 70 years. The two women manage the front; co-owner Carl Martin handles difficult installations and the business.

“This is home,” Janet Martin said as she recounts the many honors three generations of her family have earned for their local support.

“We open our space to the community,” Stephanie Martin said, listing the many activities they host in their store, from support events for local schools and charities to soundscapes, poetry readings and comedy performances. You can get advance notice from their website.

Punching above its weight, the gallery in the 1930s often exhibited Maynard Dixon and other luminary Western painters. Today the big name is Roland Petersen, who originally hired and shepherded Wayne Thiebaud at the University of California, Davis. They scour art markets, fairs and private collections, seeking the best of accessible art that hangs in museums and major New York galleries.

Sitting between Janet and Stephanie Martin is like a seat at the net at Wimbledon as they volley back and forth. What does it feel like to be gallerists?

“Great,” serves Janet; “fun,” Stephanie returns the serve, as they break out in laughter.

The Studio Shop Gallery has been showcasing local and nationally known artists and artistry as long as I’ve been visiting Burlingame. In fact, more than twice as many years.

Don’t wait that long to visit yourself.

You can join too: The public is invited to a reception at the Gallery 5-9 p.m. Sept. 20 with a demonstration, music, food and refreshments. On Oct. 10, exhibiting artist Steven Spazuk, whose paintings are made with gold leaf and smoke — yes, smoke — plans to surprise with a demonstration that the public can join.

Check their website to view their published catalogs and YouTube videos with the artists themselves. It is a “you are there” experience.

The Studio Shop Gallery, 244 Primrose Road, Burlingame, studioshopgallery.com, (650) 344-1378.

Bart Charlow has been sketching all his life and painting for over 45 years, had a professional photography business, and leads plein air painting groups. Come along as he shares his insights about the local art scene, and bring your sketchbook. His art and story is at: www.bartsart.weebly.com.