Volume 4, Issue 21
October 17 - October 30, 2002
Ron Phelps started his career in the arts, first as a photographer. But as can sometimes happen in the art world, trying to make it or even just survive, Ron stepped onto new ground, taking jobs as a framer for the ar ts. Ron found that he enjoyed this side of the arts, found that it brought him great satisfaction working with his hands and seeing the product from start to finish.
In 1989, Red Shift Framing's doors were opened. From 1990 to 1998, Red Shift was sharing space with Core Collective Arts on Wazee St. between 15th and 14th. Ron would help co-host the art openings. This got people to recognize the name and the quality of work Ron and his frame shop were capable of producing.
As Lower Downtown changed, a move was in the works. Now prominently located on the block of 22nd and Larimer, Red Shift has entered its 13th year of business. "Our mission is to produce a perfect package for art that exceeds industry standards, while using innovation, creativity and environmentally sound products at a fair profit to fulfill our customer's expectations of value, aesthetics, quality and conservation," he said. Ron believes that there is not one person who doesn't need to have something framed. I thought about that, and began my own list of items. Whether it's a collection of memorabilia, family photos, et cetera, Red Shift is able to comply. Ron began to tell me of one of his clients that had an Annie Leibowitz collector watch with photos on both sides. Rather than build out a shadow box-type frame and hang it on the wall, Ron built a framed case with the watch suspended by tasteful wire cords, allowing the owner to fully see all around the watch. It's innovation like this that keeps Ron's clients coming back.
Ron's clients are artists whose needs range from complete framing to just having the mattes cut and being supplied with the raw materials to make their own frames. His clients are also large insurance companies, law firms, galleries, museums. Red Shift is able to provide full-service as an art-framing company that delivers, installs, cleans, repairs, crates and ships coast to coast. Producing nearly 2000 framed works a year, and allowing only a two and one half week lead time, Ron and his staff of three stand behind each product they create. The need for framing has not changed so much as the tools for framing. Framing involves conservation, no permanent glues to preserve the integrity and longevity of an object. Ron singled out that, over the last twenty years, glass has really gone to a higher sophistication level, as we now have UV glass. And, even after so many years in the business, Ron said "I still enjoy coming to work every day. How many people can say that?"
So whether your needs are simple or quite complex, Ron Phelps and the Red Shift Framing crew are available to advise and fine tune, with competitive pricing and tens of thousands of framing samples from coast to coast. For a personal appointment, call 303-293-2991 or visit their web site at www.redshiftframing.com. Hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday 9-5, Sat. 11-4. Thank you for your time and expert knowledge, Ron. Here's to seeing you along the Art Circuit.
--W. L. Pitton
All Rights Reserved © 2002 Go Go Media, LLC, Denver, Colorado