The NAMTA Board of Directors votes are in! Congratulations to Beth Bergman of Wet Paint in St. Paul, MN and Kim Fjordbotten of the Paint Spot for securing a second term on the Board of Directors for Domestic Retailer and International Retailer seats, respectively. The new retailer Board members are Mark Ball (see photo below) of Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster, CA and the newly elected Manufacturer’s Rep director is Rick Comerford of Grimstad/Comerford in Glen Ellyn, IL.
For 2009, NAMTA’s highest honor, the Hall of Fame has been awarded to Jeff Goldfarb. The purpose of the Hall of Fame award is to recognize those who have been supporters, volunteers, and champions of the association. Congratulations Jeff!
MacPherson’s has promoted Robert Rowen to Strategic Account Manager. Robert is one of our most successful and productive sales reps. In his new role, Robert’s primary responsibilities will be to manage the business of several of our top tier strategic customers. In related news, buyer Emily Leighton has left the company and industry newcomer Mary Payton has stepped up to become MacPherson’s newest member of the purchasing department.
Congratulations to Steve and Carol Robinson on the birth of their grandson and daughter Caitlin’s baby boy. William Evan Rogers III was born 7 lbs. 7 oz., and 19 inches long.
Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster, CA took creativity and store events to the next level with the Arty Gras event that took place March 13-15, 2009. It was a lot of fun for everyone. They had many Make-It & Take-It craft tables, as well as face painting and airbrush tattoos. The most impressive part of the outdoor festivities was The Amazing Human-Powered Art Machine, a bicycle-driven triple-tray spin-art machine built in-house out of old bike parts. Depicted here is store manager and newly minted NAMTA board director Mark Ball taking the Art Machine for a spin!
GOLDEN is pleased to announce that Fine Artist Amy McKinnon has joined the company’s Technical Services Department. Amy received her MFA from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and has been painting for 20 years.
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Hats off to our very own Jim Semitekol, VP Operations at MacPherson’s on becoming NAMTA’s newest Certified Art Material Professional(C.A.M.P.). Other Certified Art Pros at MacPherson’s are: Alyssa Bardini, Amy Kaczmarzyk, Bruce Hansen, Catherine Thoele, Christine Ballestero, Dawn McKay, Dina Wuisman, Donald Kutzler, Frank Stapleton, George Bethurem, Jack Franklin, Jean Beasley, Jeanine Davids, Krystal Willis, Linda McCarthy, Lisa Day, Lisa Slauson, Marcus Burden, Melissa Moralejo, Paul Mulcahy, Paul Seaman, Peter Alba, Rachel Thompson, Rachel Nee, Richard Snowden, Robert Rowen, Rosalin Moore, Ryan Ong, Tali Even-Kesef and Bill Wuisman.
Seasoned art industry Merchant/Buyer Lindsey Berkun has left Darice and is evaluating new and challenging career opportunities.
Steve Gallisdorfer of ColArt sends along this note “Attached is a photo of ‘Bear’, our 18 month old Bermese Mountain Dog. 
She thinks she is a strong contender to be an ‘art dog’ on the Art Dog Blog. She is mostly just an art critic at this point, chewing on the occasion brush handle, easel leg or box that UPS has just delivered from ColArt. She does like to be right underfoot as my wife Daisy & I paint, making for quite a colorful dog at times!!!”
“This is a shot of her in one of her favorite places… supervising the fishing activities while we are boating. As you can see, she completely takes over the bow of the boat with her blanket and toys.”
Not to be out done, Debra MacDonald of Chroma, Inc. submitted her own entry in the Art Dog of the Month Sweepstakes. Here is a photo of Chroma, Inc.’s Art Dog, Zoë. She is a Papillion and one year old. Tell us which of these two “lookers” should be the winner or better still, send in your own entry!