Neu-Art Studio celebrates 30 years – ‘We put your name on stuff’

By Mike Harris

Special to the Alpine Mountaineer

 

One of the toughest things any business or organization can do is coming up with a “look,” from the logo to the font, artwork and even what colors should be used, from presenting the company’s message so it catches the eye, to the way it is presented to the potential customer.

“Basically, you’ve got about two seconds to reach and catch the potential customer’s eye,” said Dawn Neuenschwander, owner of Neu-Art Studio in Rimforest.

“Since 1993 we have created thousands of signs, banners, vehicle lettering, awards, trophies, firefighter equipment lettering and much, much more,” she added. “We deal in a variety of materials and production techniques in order to give the quality the customer wants at a price that they can afford.”

From a business’ signage on the building to lettering on the side of the company vehicle, Neuenschwander and her team do it all.

“We’ve even put names and numbers on firefighter helmets,” she said.

Disaster hit Neuenschwander and her business during the 2003 fire when flames pushed by winds destroyed not only her Rimforest studio, but her living quarters above the studio.

“I was able to grab my computer and a suitcase of clothes, and that was it,” she said. “I lost everything.”

As what happened to many other residents, it took years battling governmental red tape, insurance companies and contractors, to rebuild. For Neuenschwander, it took her four years to rebuild her studio and home.

Her attitude and can-do spirit are what sustained her during those four years.

“I don’t let things stop me,” she said. “I just make things work.”

Over her 30 years in the business, Neuenschwander has developed a lot of repeat business and customers, including some very familiar names. Those include Mountains Community Hospital, water companies, U.S. Forest Service, Sweep’s Luck, Arrowhead Lake Association, Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club, local chambers and so many more.

“We’ve done it all, from itsy-bitsy name tags to full-size billboards,” she said.

Neuenschwander grew up mostly in the South Bay of Los Angeles, having attended Leuzinger High School in Lawndale and then El Camino College in Torrance. She also attended for a while the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

While she’s handled thousands of design and signage projects, her favorites are the odd-ball ones. She’s even rebuilt a full-size sleigh for Santa Claus.

“That was for the Lake Arrowhead Village Merchants Association,” she said.

She and her team literally had to rebuild it from the frame up due to dry rot. “We actually rebuilt it twice,” she said, because of harsh winter conditions.

“With our graphic design expertise, we can design just anything you can imagine,” Neuenschwander said. “Whether you need a logo, an eye-grabbing advertisement design or just about anything else, we have you covered. No matter what you need, chances are we can help.”