About Us

Shaw Galleries was founded in 2007 by art critic and appraiser Kurt Shaw. Having a passion for prints from a young age (Mr. Shaw purchased his first original print at the age of 19 - a signed woodblock print of Salvador Dali's depiction of Dante's Inferno, Canto 12), Mr. Shaw spent seven years laboriously tracking down and obtaining the extensive collection that now comprises the gallery's holdings - over 4,000 antique maps, rare prints and vintage photographs. At any given time nearly half of that amount of objects is available in the gallery for perusal and purchase, with a special selection among those being presented on this web site. 

Shaw Galleries also specializes in custom framing. In 2006 Mr. Shaw purchased the remaining inventory of Keystone Picture Frame Co., Western Pennsylvania’s oldest picture framing company, which was established in Downtown Pittsburgh in the 1880s and operated there until it closed in 2002. This allows Shaw Galleries to offer an unparalleled inventory - over 7,000 feet of picture frame molding in various period styles dating back to nearly every decade of the 20th century now augment an already extensive inventory of contemporary moldings.

Meet Our Staff

Mr. Kurt Shaw, gallery principal / appraiser - Trained in art at Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Shaw began his career in 1989 as a published cartoonist, with his cartoons appearing in Esquire, Cosmopolitan, National Enquirer, Saturday Evening Post and Woman's World magazines on a regular basis. From there he moved into creating wall-sculptures for corporations and cruise ships throughout the 1990s. In 2001 he became the Art Critic for The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, which he still works in that capacity to this day. Along the way he became a certified personal property appraiser specializing in fine art, maps, prints and books. He is currently a Certified Member of International Fine Art Appraisers, as well as a member of the American Association of Museums.

Ms. Naomi Bean, gallery assistant / historian - Ms. Bean is the gallery's resident Art Historian. She is responsible for much of the extensive research that goes into identifying the prints in our inventory, as well as the descriptions of prints and maps you see on this web site. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Art History from Juniata College.

Daniel Swenson, picture framer - Dan joined Shaw Galleries in the summer of 2009. He is the one responsible for much of the behind the scenes work that goes on in the framing studio, from packaging the prints and maps in our inventory to fitting the many extraordinarily framed prints and maps you will see in our gallery.

Astrid Burmeister, art conservator - Astrid hails from Chile where she studied art history and restoration at SEK University. She has previously worked in the area of art restoration at The Chilean National History Museum, The Chilean National Library, The Chilean Military History Museum and the Military Historical Archive.