Over this past year, Pat Jennings has transformed all 4 walls of his store into 4 amazing murals with the help of several extremely talented artists and lots of Montana Gold spray paint. The paint was supplied by the store, and the artists brought the skills. Each year, the 4 outer walls of the store will be re-painted again with new murals, with a big store event in November. Central Art Supply also plans to build another separate legal 8’x40’ wall behind the store that anyone can come and paint as they please – a great way to encourage more Montana Gold sales!

HobbyCraft, the UK’s largest chain of craft superstores, is heading for its “best ever year” as the trend for families to indulge in lower cost activities grows, according to Retail Week. Eric Caplan, formerly with A.I. Friedman has landed a job selling Computer Cables & Components @ SR Components. Meininger’s has a great new and colorful look at its flagship Denver location. The design work was conceived by McGinty of Boulder, CO. Check out the company’s blog, McGinty Blog.

• The Prismacolor Holiday Consumer Rebate began on November 15th for purchases made between November 15th, 2009 and January 15th, 2010. Prismacolor Purchased at Dealer Retail Amount of Rebate $50.00 $10.00 $100.00 $20.00 $200.00 $40.00 $300.00 $70.00 • Your MacPherson’s representative has a limited amount of Holiday Rebate POP kits. Contact them for yours today • The Holiday Rebate Coupon is available for download or printing at www.prismacolor.com. Sanford encourages all dealers with web sites to download the coupon from its site and post it on your site. We have attached a copy of that coupon to this edition for your convenience. • The new Illustration Marker display and Conversion…

Napa Valley Art Supplies in Napa, CA, just held its second successful Montana Gold demo this year! Ten local artists joined the event this time, and were allowed to paint large canvases during the event and then offer them for sale at the store.  If the work sold, the artist was responsible for reimbursing the store for the materials, but got to keep the remaining balance of the sale. This event was such a hit, it made the front page of the local newspaper – great publicity for the store! For the full story, please click the link below; Napa Valley Register

We are sad to report the sudden passing of Sharon Rebisz, 64, of Middlebury, CT on October 19th. She was the co-owner of Koenig Art Emporium in Southbury, CT where she has worked for close to 30 years. Sharon was much loved in the industry and leaves 3 sons and daughter, Nancy Hansen, who also works at the store. ColArt America’s VP Sales, Charlie Newcomer has left to pursue new opportunities. A search for his replacement is underway. According to proud dad Steve Caplan, son Eric Caplan has left  A. I. Friedman to pursue other ventures in any field. If anyone is interested in hiring a hard working and experienced…

How Do You See Green? Remind your artist customers and friends that Strathmore’s “How Do You See Green?” Illustration Contest deadline is November 30, 2009! Or enter yourself! Create a piece of art that expresses the theme of “green” and “environment” using dry media techniques (pencil, pastel, charcoal, etc.) on Strathmore paper. In January, you can cast your vote for the winner on Strathmore’s website. Winners’ art will be featured on 1 of 4 special edition Strathmore Premium Recycled pads! Visit www.strathmoreartist.com for more details.

Have you found additional AA13301 Young Artist Easels in your back room as you prepare for the holidays? Did you forget to ask for a replacement easel earlier? No problem, we have plenty of free, compliant chalkboard panels and we are happy to send them to you. Retrofitting the easels is easy – simply remove the 6 screws holding the green panel, dispose of the panel, then use 4 screws to put the black panel on. (If you have a MacPherson’s sales rep, she or he would be happy to help.) Click here to order replacement chalkboard panels. Questions? Call our recall hotline at (800) 289-9899 x1093 or email us…

As you know, MacPherson’s has been working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on a recall of our Young Artist Easel (AA13301). We are now ready to launch the recall to the public. The CPSC has put the recall information on its website. MacPherson’s has put information and instructions for end-users on its Art Alternatives website. In the next couple of weeks, all retailers who purchased the AA13301 Young Artist Easel will receive a recall kit in the mail. This kit contains a poster with tear-off instructions cards that explain how the consumer can get a free chalkboard panel replacement. The CPSC and MacPherson’s urge you to place this…

In an effort to increase GOLDEN exposure on the world wide web and as a way to socially engage with artists and business partners, GOLDEN has created a Facebook page. If you already have an account on Facebook, you are welcome to become a fan of the GOLDEN page.  However, you don’t need to have an account in order to view the contents of the page: Connect to Golden on Facebook! Please feel free to share this information with your friends, associates and anyone you think might be interested.

Ilka Lohaus has joined the ColArt Group as Chief Brand Officer to be based at the company’s headquarters in Wealdstone, England. A German citizen, she speaks three European languages (German, French and English), and has had substantial consumer marketing experience  including stints at Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser and more recently Henkel as Global Marketing Director. Michaels Stores Inc. has opened its first Manhattan store featuring a new urban store design that focuses on providing creative inspiration, according to Reuters. The store, whose week-long grand opening celebration began Oct. 25, is located in the new Columbus Square development at 808 Columbus Ave. at 97th Street. The new 14,700-sq.-ft. store features…

Robert Gamblin’s Studio, among those of many other prominent American Artists, is profiled in American Artist’s special Studios issue, on newsstands now. Robert’s studio is right across the street from Gamblin’s factory in Portland, Oregon. Once used as a maintenance bay for concrete mixing trucks, Robert and his partner Catherine Kumlin converted the space into a combined oil painting studio and printmaking workshop.

A sad recent communication from Lineco: “Due to the continuing softness in the market, it is with a sense of sadness to advise that Kyle Ondricek is no longer with the Lineco division of University Products. Over the years Kyle has played a key role in developing the Lineco brand and he will be missed. We all wish him well with his future endeavors.” An Urgent Message from Williamsburg Handmade Oil Paint: “It is with great sadness that Williamsburg Handmade Oil Paint announces the recent death of our company founder, Carl Plansky. A Memorial Service is being planned with details to be announced in the near future. Meanwhile, the day…

Need some help stimulating sales?  Elmer’s is investing big in national advertising, so it could pay big dividends for art supply retailers to plan ahead. Take advantage of the most extensive range of arts and crafts national advertising and promotions that Elmer’s Products has ever scheduled. Here are some of the categories and details: Elmer’s Craft Bond® Media Plan •         NEW Print Advertising •         Today’s Creative Home Arts starting September 2009 and running through the end of the year •         Internet : Banner Ads & Facebook (Elmer’s Crafter’s are now on Facebook & Twitter) –        Directed to paper crafting and scrapbooking profiles •         Total Impressions 3,436,000 Scrapbook Memories TV Show…

Here are two great ideas this month from west coast retailers who are known for their creativity. First is Spokane Art with its Great Arts Adventure Sale and Trade Show which was held September 25,26 & 27 and the second is a clever and appealing home-grown display merchandiser  for Montana Gold created by Rhino Art. Spokane Art’s Great Arts Adventure Sale and Trade Show Owners and managers Claudia Myers, Vic Davis, Craig Myers, & Linda Nelson have put on a show each year which was held at an off site venue. This year they shook things up by having the store sale and trade show, artist demos, workshops all within…

The Helix Group has announced that Peter Stubberfield is returning to his former position as President of its US division, Helix USA. Michaels President and COO, Shelley Broader, left the company Friday, September 4th to pursue other opportunities. During her tenure, she made many contributions to the company in the areas of Store Operations, Real Estate, Aaron Brothers, Supply Chain and Artistree. For an interim period, Michaels Store Operations, Aaron Brothers, Supply Chain and Artistree teams will report directly to CEO John Menzer. The newly named Sam & Adele Golden Gallery at Golden Artist Colors in New Berlin, NY is proud to present Darryl Hughto: Diamonds. The exhibition showcases a…

From Steve Gallisdorfer: All- I am sure most all of you have heard of the tragic and untimely death of Bob Fisher, a well known and longtime figure in the art materials industry. A great many of you had the pleasure of getting to know him a more than just a little bit, but a great many also came to know him as a good friend, and a genuinely pleasant person. I happen to be one of those fortunate ones who knew him very well, having working with him in various capacities for about 28 years, and am just blessed that he was my friend. Bob passed away early on…

Strathmore Artist Papers’ own super heroes made appearances at Comic Con 2009 in San Diego July 23-26. Comic Con is the country’s leading comics and popular arts convention.  Don Bradley (Captain Strathmore) and Kari Foteff (Thistle Girl) were on site sharing news of Strathmore’s new Sequential Art Surfaces. “Strathmore’s bristols have been the choice of award-winning comic and sequential artists for decades,” says Don Bradley, Senior Account Manager.  “So you can imagine how excited artists were to hear that our best-selling bristols are now in convenient formats that fit their specific application.”  Check out Sthathmore’s Comic Con photo album on its Facebook page:  Strathmore on Facebook. You are already a…

Art Media Celebrates 35 Years Congratulations to Kathy Christian, David Mosher & Gail Vines of Art Media, as they  celebrate their 35th year as a locally owned business serving the greater Portland, OR metropolitan area. All three, who graduated from the University of Oregon in 1974, founded Art Media  and continue to work in the business day to day. Art Media has been a member of NAMTA for over 25 years. Lionel Flax, former educator and CEO of Kate’s Paperie in NYC has relocated to Atlanta and is now managing the Sam Flax-Atlanta store. Lionel co-owns both the Atlanta and Orlando, FL stores along with his father, Leonard Flax and…