Walking into Belmar Frame and Art, I was greeted by owner
Judy Niewald in the midst of selecting mats and frames for two vivid
photographs by one of her regular clients: purple star-studded skies behind a
line of glowing fall trees, and the other, a vibrant orange sky, reflected in a
foreground body of water with Colorado’s red rocks glorious in their natural
beauty. Many colorful mat samples and
frame corners were scattered about, demonstrating the time and attention Judy
takes in creating a custom framing solution for the customer’s artwork.
Showing me around the store, Judy explained that she has
always had an interest in art and started out working at a molding distributor
for 15 years, then a framing company for 12 years. A natural progression was to buy her own framing
store. She bought Better Framer and changed the name to Belmar Frame and Art
two years ago. And we are happy to welcome her as a new “organization” member
of the Lakewood Arts Council.
In a strip mall at 7111 West Alameda, Belmar Frame and Art
catches your attention with a window display that Judy likes to change out with
the season. She also works with a group
of six to seven artists, exhibiting their work on the gallery walls as well as
showing pottery, sculpture and jewelry from local artists. Judy’s own artwork: oils, watercolor, mixed
media also grace the walls, from Italian landscapes to semi-abstract
florals.
Handpainted frames house
whimsical miniatures and a papier-mache mask was beautifully displayed in a
deep shadowbox.
This is her specialty,
she explains – working with the proper placement of items in a shadowbox. Many times she is asked to frame customers’
cherished memorabilia. Placing them in a
shadowbox where each item is highlighted can be a challenge. One of her most difficult framing projects
was when a client brought in two bags of wrapping paper, ribbons and gift bags
from various celebrations. Judy’s
solution was to cover mats with the different samples of paper, weaving the
gift ribbons amongst the colorful papers.
It’s these kinds of creative solutions that set her custom framing
projects apart from the competition. The
same client had also presented her with a myriad of souvenir items from trips
to New York City, remembrances from Times Square and Central Park, menus from
various restaurants, and programs and tickets from Broadway plays. Seven different framing projects resulted
from this request.
Glancing at the computer monitor displaying examples of her
custom framing, I asked Judy about available technology for those looking to
make mat and frame selections from a home computer. “This is really more of a hands-on type
decision,” she explains. “Colors are not
always true on computer monitors. It’s
necessary to bring in your artwork and select mat and frame choices
directly.”
In addition to running a business and fitting in creative
time for her own artwork, Judy also does a lot of charitable work, hosting art
classes that benefit ovarian cancer research.
Teacher Jean Murr, an ovarian cancer survivor, teaches a class for other
cancer survivors. With generous
donations, each student receives paints, brushes, an easel – enough supplies to
create her own artwork. More information
about this inspiring charity can be found on Belmar Frame and Art’s facebook
page and blog, www.belmarframe.blogspot.com
Right now turn-around time is only about one to one and a
half weeks, which is great news for those looking to frame items for holiday
gifts.
Judy is even generously offering
a 15% discount on framing to LAC members through April with mention of your
membership.
She maintains her prices are
comparable to other frame shops.
And
with such personal service and her expertise, you’re definitely going to
appreciate the care she takes with your treasured art.
Stop in the Lakewood store or check out her
website at
www.belmarframe.com
