It all started in 1977…

For well over 40 years Graphic Experience has been a part of the Antelope Valley’s business community.  It all started in 1977 when Mary Finberg started a shop to sell framed art prints. Due to high customer demand, Mary added custom framing to her services and from that point forward Graphic Experience became THE “Go To” custom framing shop in the Antelope Valley. 

Mrs. Finberg later sold the business to her three employees: Rena Patel, Ann Wright and Christine Calaba. These owners maintained Graphic Experience’s pride in being a part of Antelope Valley’s business community for many more years.  Eventually, two of the partners moved on to other pursuits leaving Rena Patel as sole owner of Graphic Experience.

Rena continued serving Graphic Experience customers and felt she was a partner with them in showcasing their family treasures.  Rena worked hard on building and creating the all-important “feel” of the shop.  To her, it was not just work, but the reward of making her customers happy and knowing that she was able help preserve part of a family’s history with each frame or shadowbox.

In 2016, after the arrival of a granddaughter, Rena Patel and her husband decided to relocate to Northern California.  It was a bittersweet move, as she loved her customers, but she found a kindred spirit in Dawn Smith, now the current owner and her husband Jim.

As Dawn said when she took over the keys from Rena, “I want to take on that mantle of taking care of the customers, making sure that they are happy with the work. I want to maintain the same feel in the store including the same availability for local artists to show their art.”

Dawn Smith has an extensive background in not only framing but in the fields of business management and finance as well. Prior to moving to California with her family in 1990, she owned a successful framing shop in Florida. After coming to California, she continued in the field and worked with custom framing shops in the San Fernando Valley.

From its earliest days, the focus of Graphic Experience has been on offering personal attention and care. Great pride is taken not only to the preservation and presentation of fine art but, perhaps more importantly, to the care of precious photographs, memorabilia or needlework.

Whether it is sports awards, professional accomplishments or the mementos of a fallen war hero, the focus at Graphic Experience is to give these special items the preservation and respect they deserve.  Each customer’s vision for their framed art is consulted, design and preservation suggestions are made and the perfect frame is found!

As for art, Dawn has encouraged the display of new and vintage original artwork from local artists.  If you are “On the BLVD”, don’t hesitate to drop in and enjoy all the art on display.  You may just find that special one-of-a-kind piece you have been looking for!

So, after 40 years, Graphic Experience remains the best place in the Antelope Valley for your custom framing needs. Its long tradition of excellence and personal service carries on and we await the pleasure of helping you.