NORTH BATTLEFORD — ARTrageous owner and operator, Jocelyn Schmunk, is excited 2024 brings her 10th anniversary in business in the Battlefords, officially beginning in September of 2014.
“The main part of the business is custom picture framing, which includes prints, photos, canvas, jerseys, x-stitch, diamond art and memorabilia. Also, there are prints and photos for sale framed in the gallery or flat that you can choose your own framing or give as gifts,” said Schmunk.
Photos by talented area photographer, Gilbert Katernynych, are included at this location.
Schmunk notes, “ARTrageous is a family-owned business. I do most of the work at the shop and my husband cuts some frames and does the accounting.”
Two of the business owner’s past year’s highlights included working with the Allen Sapp Gallery on some projects and working with Toyota to frame and hang Gilbert Katerynych photos in their newly renovated building.
Schmunk acknowledges sometimes busier times of the year can become hectic because it is mostly just her but she works extra hours and uses her time management skills to get the jobs done.
“As many of my customers know, we are a very involved sports family so often I close for events. To accommodate, I will meet after hours or at the customer’s convenience, especially if they are from out of town. I will often meet so they can just pick up their work while they are in town anyways.”
The business name came from the owner’s research into something catchy that could go with the word ‘art,’ and ARTrageous seemed to be the most fitting.
Schmunk says she has undertaken many interesting projects, including one this past year which was a pair of cowboy chaps with advertising for the Oil Can Charlies and Betty Bubbles business in the Battlefords.
“I have worked at galleries my whole adult life. Everywhere I worked, they would compliment me on how good I was at choosing the material and the quality of work. I have a business diploma from SAIT and I always put the idea out there that one day I would like to have my own business.”
When Schmunk’s twins were one year away from starting kindergarten, she received a call that there was an opportunity to purchase all the equipment from where she had worked in Regina. She then rented a storage unit , moved everything to the Battlefords until her children started school, and then found a place to rent. Her vision came to fruition Sept. 10, 2014 when she opened her business.
“I feel like, unless you need custom picture framing done, you may not know I am even here. I am a very unique business. I still get new customers constantly that didn’t know I was here, let alone for almost 10 years. I really pride myself on quality of work.”
