As Wet Paint Artists Materials and Framing enters its 41st year on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, owner Beth Bergman is excited to announce her retirement at the end of 2016. Long-time employees Darin Rinne and Scott Fares will become the new proprietors. After 33 years provisioning artists in the Twin Cities and across the country Beth intends to move to the other side of the counter and focus on making art herself. Read the complete press release. Speedball Art Products has reached an agreement to acquire the formulas, trademarks, equipment, and related assets of the iconic Best-Test brand owned by Union Rubber Company, Inc. Speedball reports that production and…

Smart and effective merchandising has proven to make a measurable sales and customer satisfaction difference in art and craft material stores. When done right, product and category merchandising helps your customers navigate easily to what they are seeking and subtly exposes them to new, unique products that can help them achieve satisfaction in pursuit of their creative expression. With this competition we are hoping to encourage your stores’ own creativity in merchandising as well as receiving a great reward incentive! Details, Details, Details: Submit at least 2 photos of your drawing section, in particular showing the DERWENT sketching and drawing supplies The 1st photo series should be the way you are…

The recent partnership between Liquitex and Artfinder kicked off with an artist event held at Vandal in New York City on Tuesday, December 13th. Founded in March 2013 and based in London and Miami, Artfinder connects people to artists and art. The site is growing fast, currently connecting 500,000 subscribers around the world with: 8,500 artists and galleries internationally 250,000+ artworks in categories including painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, drawing and collage The event gave New York artists the chance to meet each other and to learn about and experiment with Liquitex’s new Special Release Muted Collection. The first ever special release launch in Liquitex’s 60 year history, the collection comprises…

Over the past year MacPherson’s has built a strong and cohesive leadership team with high energy, diverse talents, experiences and fresh perspectives mostly outside the art material business. The team includes: Eric Matthews – Controller Michael Lin – Director of Operations Jon Newsom – Director of Sales Dionne Mallins – Director of Marketing Peter Eichelberger – Director of Information Technology They join the core senior leadership team at MacPherson’s of tested and proven managers. That well-known and experienced team includes Steve Robinson, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, Jim Semitekol, Chief Operating Officer and Natasha Nicholson-Bjerre, Vice President responsible for our people. With the coming year we have planned some important changes to coincide with the urgent and evolving needs of our customers, suppliers and employee-owners.  Beginning in…

At Arch Supplies in San Francisco, owner Susie Colliver and her top team of Kate, Mac, Tom, Caryn & David celebrated the company’s 38th birthday at their amazing and new Carolina Street location with all the bells and whistles of an exciting grand opening. Congratulations Susie! Royal Talens has acquired Schjerning Farver A/S as of November 15, 2016. With this acquisition, Royal Talens has further reinforced its position as a leading player in artists’, school, hobby & crafts materials and coloring, drawing and writing products. Schjerning Farver holds a strong position with its eco-friendly, high quality products in the school, hobby & craft and private label market. Royal Talens sees…

Williamsburg Free Paint Promotion Winter Back to School 2016 All Williamsburg retailers are invited to participate in this program aimed at active oil painting groups, oil painting classes, plein air societies, colleges and universities and all discerning or aspiring artists. Artists just need to purchase any three 37 ml tubes of Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors and they will receive a 37 ml tube of Williamsburg Viridian, FREE! Participating retailers will receive one Williamsburg Viridian promotional tube kit (ITEM # WB6008P150) for every three 37 ml tubes of Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors purchased during the promotion buy-in period, while supplies last. One, custom labeled 37 ml tube of Williamsburg Viridian (Series…

We are heartbroken to share the loss of one of our MacPherson’s family. Sylvia Odom, a member of our Suwanee night crew, was killed in her home on Monday evening. Her husband Samuel was also slain. The DeKalb county police have no description of the shooter or any witnesses. A roommate found the couple on Monday night. Our most heart felt sympathies go out to her family, friends and colleagues during this terrible time. Many within the industry are saying their goodbyes to Laurent Duthoit, Daler-Rowney’s Vice-President Sales Americas. He has left to pursue new challenges and opportunities. Laurent joined the company 11 years ago at Daler’s UK headquarters and later…

The senior leadership team at Fila/Dixon Ticonderoga has a plan for their global portfolio of brands that includes recently acquired Daler Rowney, LUKAS, Canson, Lyra Pencil, Maimeri and St Cuthbert’s Paper. The ultimate goal is to stitch all these companies into a global enterprise of popular brands. In North America that means a restructuring of their sales, marketing and logistics efforts to be more coordinated, streamlined and effective. The combined company is moving to a Key Account (KA) organization that will focus on national accounts, wholesalers and independent dealers serving consumers in the Art and Fine Art channel.  In addition, Dixon and its family of companies will support the industry with experts and workshops that foster the…

MacPherson’s Holiday Set Promotions for GOLDEN If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out the Holiday Set Promotions from GOLDEN. It’s time for folks to start thinking about gift buying for family and friends! Shipping began September 19th and concludes on December 9th. Select Sets from all three Golden Artist Colors brands – GOLDEN Acrylics, Williamsburg Oils, and QoR Watercolor – will be offered at an extra 10% in support of the holiday selling season. MAP exceptions during this period allow advertising discounts of 40% off. Refer to the MacPherson’s Buyer’s Guide for further details or see your MacPherson’s Account Manager with any questions. Retailer Support Items for QoR…

Strathmore Artist Papers™ would like to reward retailers, their customers, and store employees by offering unique Strathmore branded promotional items. Retailers can earn points simply by purchasing Strathmore products, and then they can redeem those points for free promotional materials on the brand new “Strathstore” portion of the Strathmore Retailer and Distributor Tool site. This program is open to all brand rewards customers, iAMart customers, and AGA customers. Point balances will be uploaded into retailer accounts in the Strathstore twice a year (February/August) based on retailer purchases through distribution. This added segment of the Brand Rewards program is an extra benefit for purchasing Strathmore products. There are a wide variety…