In rural Mendocino County, small businesses are navigating significant economic changes while working to build a stronger future for their communities. For Anton O’Hanlon, owner of Artefex in Willits, that work is deeply personal. For the past 12 years, Anton and his family have built a growing manufacturing business with a mission that goes beyond manufacturing products: Anton’s mission is to protect artwork for generations.
The question is simple… how long do you want your artwork to last? Artefex manufactures aluminum composite art panels designed to provide artists with a more permanent alternative to traditional canvas and wood panels. From precision-cutting each panel to helping artists understand how the substrates can safeguard their work, every part of the company reflects Anton’s vision. “At our core, we are in the business of protecting artwork,” he says, with the ultimate goal of creating products that help today’s artwork outlast any artwork made in human history.
Anton started Artefex with his family, knowing they were taking on an uphill battle in an industry where traditional materials had dominated for centuries. During the company’s first eight years, Anton handled nearly every aspect of the business himself — making panels, shipping orders and answering customer calls. But as Artefex gained momentum, he realized that the very approach that had helped him build the business was beginning to limit its growth.
Anton recognized that if Artefex was going to grow, he needed to grow as a leader. He first turned to two successful business owners in his family, who helped him develop foundational discipline and leadership skills. That experience showed him the value of mentorship and gave him the confidence to seek more specialized guidance. His search eventually led him to the West Business Development Center, a local small business support organization and SCALE partner.
Working with the West Business Development Center became a turning point for Artefex. Anton found a team of experienced mentors who took the time to understand his business and help him refine his strategy. Rather than doing the work for him, they helped him build the infrastructure and develop the tools needed to execute his vision. Anton credits Julia Siderakis, his first point of contact at the West Center, along with Baqi Kopelman, Wendy Luttrell, Kimberly Vuitell, Paul Bozzo and others for helping him move the business forward.
With that guidance, Anton says Artefex accomplished more in the last two years than it had in the previous ten combined. His only regret, he says, is that he did not reach out for support sooner. His experience demonstrates how targeted business advising and mentorship can help entrepreneurs identify the barriers holding their businesses back — and develop the strategies and leadership skills needed to overcome them.
Anton encourages other small business owners across California to take advantage of the resources available through programs like SCALE (Success, Capital Access, and Leadership for Entrepreneurs) program — a CalOSBA initiative supported by CAMEO Network through marketing and lead generation — which can connect entrepreneurs with mentors, technical assistance and other resources. For Anton, finding the right support meant realizing he did not have to carry the entire weight of his company alone.
Today, Artefex continues to manufacture its panels in Willits, helping artists protect their work while contributing to the local economy in rural Mendocino County. Anton’s journey is a reminder that entrepreneurship may begin with a vision, but building that vision into a sustainable business often requires support along the way. For small business owners looking to grow, his advice is simple: reach out, find mentors who will challenge and guide you, and make use of the resources available in your community.
Beyond the studio easel, Artefex is taking this preservation mission directly into the public square. Public art, historical murals, and civic installations often face the harshest conditions—weathering moisture, UV exposure, seasonal temperature shifts, and physical degradation when painted directly on exterior masonry or aging wood. Proudly American-made, Artefex manufactures its precision aluminum composite panels right in Willits, California, offering communities, archival substrate that won’t warp, rot, crack, or delaminate.
Every panel is designed to protect local heritage, ensuring community storytelling and public art remain vibrant and intact for generations. Whether you are a civic leader, arts council member, municipal planner, or local organizer looking to revitalize a downtown corridor or install long-lasting outdoor murals, Artefex partners directly with communities to preserve public heritage on permanent, American-crafted foundations.
Bring Archival Art to Your Community
If your city, town, or civic organization is planning a mural project or downtown beautification initiative, partner with an American manufacturer committed to preserving your cultural legacy.
- Website: Visit artefex.biz to learn more about American-made composite panels and public art substrates.
- Email: Contact the team directly at acct@artefex.biz to discuss project scope, custom dimensions, and civic partnerships.
- Location: Manufactured with pride in Willits, California — serving communities and artists worlwide.