A Legacy of Craftsmanship: Three Generations in the Sign Industry

At Frontier, our story is rooted in creativity, hard work, and family tradition.
As a third-generation sign maker, I carry a deep connection to this craft - one that spans nearly a century.

It all began in Northern Alberta in the 1920s, when my great-grandfather hand-painted signs with nothing
but a brush and a vision.
My grandfather ran a grocery store in Peace River, AB.  Whenever business was slow, he would grab a ladder, some paint, and walk down the street - quickly catching the attention of neighbors and passersbys who asked him to make a sign or letter their windows.
My father continued the legacy, running Collin Artworks
​Sign Shop from our garage at our family home just North of Airdrie, AB. 
I grew up surrounded by paints, tools, and the scent of fresh vinyl -a childhood immersed in learning the craft firsthand.

Today, I’m proud to carry on this tradition at Frontier.

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From a young age, I loved creating.
​My very first logo - JEM Co. (Julia Erna Maria Collin) - graced the backs of hand-made cards crafted from special paper my dad gave me from his sign shop.
That early passion for design, branding, and personal touches has evolved into a professional
love for wraps, custom signage, 3D-letter designs, and experimenting with new technologies like LED.

What sets me apart is speed, precision, and a dedication to both simple and complex projects.
I enjoy diving into custom projects, researching, planning, and constantly learning new techniques and creative ideas.
I’m especially grateful to my repeat customers, whose trust allows me to continue exploring and innovating.

Frontier is evolving to serve you even better.
We’re implementing a new CRM system to respond to quote requests faster and track production more efficiently.
Our pricing will now be transparent and easy to understand,
broken down by material, size, quantity, and intricacy, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for.

I’ve been fortunate to grow up around inspiring role models:
my dad, who built and ran Collin Artworks; my uncle, who screen-printed for over 36 years;
and my grandpa, whose hand-painted signs still stand in towns like Peace River, and Airdrie, Alberta.

Sign-making is in my blood, and it’s a privilege to continue this family legacy while bringing fresh ideas, modern solutions, and creativity to every project.

Thank you for being part of our journey and growing with us.
Big things are ahead, and we can’t wait to create them together!