Celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Pentel of America, the company is proud to announce that its current Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Chotaro “Joe” Koumi is taking over as president of the company, effective immediately. Mr. Koumi will also be in charge of Pentel of America’s manufacturing facility in Mexico.
Date Correction MacPherson’s Spring Buyers Guide: The colorful and amazing MacPherson’s Spring Buyers Guide runs now until 4/30/15. We got the effective date right on the cover and at the bottom of the right hand page of every double page spread from page 3 to 47. We did make one mistake for which we need to issue this caution. In the green panel on the index page we state: SB PRICING EFFECTIVE DATES: Now through May 24th 2015. That is not correct and alas our incredible pricing will come to an end for orders placed after April 30, 2015.
Three Artist & Craftsman(A&C) locations around NYC are joining together with Bryant Park Corporation in NYC to sponsor a massive art program that will run during the Spring/Summer outside of the NY Public Library, which is a popular tourist attraction visited by millions of people every summer. A&C will organize classes and provide product donations from cooperative supplier partners to help support the program. Read more here
The 2015 NAMTA Board of Directors election is over and congratulations go out to the winners. Their term begins at the close of Art Materials World in Denver and runs for three years. The new retailer Board Members are Lise King of King’s Framing & Art Gallery, in Corbeil, Canada, and Tony Mines of Art Creations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jeremy Franklin of A Franklin & Associates is the new Independent Rep Board Member and Maureen Labro-Guidetti of Savoir-Faire will serve her first term as a supplier Board member.
CC Lowell’s of Worcester, MA owner Kristen Sciascia has been in the news lately. She was interviewed for a business podcast entitled Dissecting Success in which she talks about her unique approach to running a small business, her transition from employee to owner, how to compete against big box stores, and the advantages of using a distributor supplier. Have a listen Dissecting Success In addition to the podcast, below is an article from Worcester Magazine: Two Minutes with…Kristen Sciascia:
Cumberland Pencil Company’s (Derwent) long time marketing manager Leah Lister has recently left the company to form her own marketing consultancy. A successor has not yet been named.
Flax in the San Francisco Bay Area has taken top honors for the 2015 “Best Arts & Crafts Store” on the popular A List City Voter web site. Flax, San Francisco was voted #1 and Flax San Mateo #3. Congratulations to all!
Have your Acrylic Gel Medium sales exploded recently? Ours have. We can’t keep Liquitex and Golden in stock due to a viral craft video by HEYKayli that shows how to easily transfer a laser printed (copier) image on to wood. Before checking it out be sure your stock of Gel Medium(Art Alternatives Clear Gesso works great too!), Mod Podge, unfinished Art Alternatives or Ampersand cradle panels and supplies are well stocked and while you are at it why not create an end-cap with all the relevant materials & examples?
Scott Fraser, Daler Rowney’s west coast account manager has resigned from the company to pursue new opportunities. Daler is seeking a qualified candidate to manage the western region as part of the U.S Sales and Marketing team. Please send all resume submissions to Laura Peterman, and copy Lurent Duthoit
Michael Hammer’s rep organization, Sampro has been making changes. Recently, Lex Hade resigned having decided to rededicate herself back to her studio painting. Christine Spinelli has been promoted to Director of Marketing. Jess Gondolfo join the Pound Ridge, NY office on May 1st as Director of Customer Service. In addition, Marisa Masotti has recently joined the company in a customer service role.
A note from ColArt West Coast Sales Person Steve Gallisdorfer; “As many of you have heard, I am headed out on a 12 week medical leave due to spine surgery. The arthritis in my spine is causing the vertebrae to change shape as they slowly degrade, and this is pinching several nerves where they exit my spine. So I will be missing NAMTA this year, as well as all other functions until early June. The good news is my surgeon expects me to make a full recovery and have no limitations or lingering pain after I am healed. Thank you for all the encouraging call and emails I have received. Your positive vibes do help me keep my spirits up!” Keep up with Steve’s recovery on Facebook.