At Michaels, Carmen Vilceanu has been promoted to Category Director, Art Supplies. In related news, Nancy DeGeeter, former Senior Buyer at Mervyn’s in Hayward, CA has joined Michaels’ art department merchandising team as a Category Manager.
Chris Wraight, former Managing Director at ColArt in England, is planning to retire from the company at the end of March 2009 to pursue personal interests. His current duties managing manufacturing in China will be taken over by Paul Aston, the worldwide group’s managing Director of Operations.
Congratulations to Stacey Smith, Senior Buyer at Sam Flax in Atlanta, on the birth of her son Jarren Sailor Smith. Born on Thanksgiving day, and weighing 6.5 lbs., he and mom are doing great!
We are sorry to report that a fine art materials retailer will be closing her doors. Gwen Sowray, owner of Olympia Art & Frame in Olympia, WA has announced that she will be quitting business during the month of December. She has hired a firm to conduct a Going Out of Business sale.
Juan Agualimpia has been promoted to head Sanford’s global art and children’s products. Formerly manager of the company’s Colombia operation in Bogata, he now works at Sanford’s headquarters in Oak Brook, IL. Look for a great new direction in the Prismacolor brand as Juan rolls out his vision over the next few years.