iAMart, the 29 member strong art industry retailer group has just undergone an internal reorganization. Executive director Marilyn Hajjar has left and a newly created committee headed by Victor Davis of Spokane Art Supply will be the liaison with the group’s vendors. Maintaining effective, personal and mutually beneficial relationships will be the primary focus. iAMart member Beth Bergman of Wet Paint adds, ” iAMart was fortunate to have had Marilyn’s years of experience and wishes her the very best in her future endeavors.” If you are interested in more information about iAMart please contact either Patti Herdell who is the President of the organization (pherdell@scartsupply.com), Victor Davis (Victor@iamart.org) or Steve Aufhauser (steve@continentalart.com). As for Marilyn, she reports, “After 30 years in the Industry, and a member of NAMTA (as a store owner- ARTability, Distributor’s Rep – Pacific Art and Design Materials, store Manager – ARCH, and Executive Director of iAMart) I’m not sure whether I will pursue “new opportunities”, but my heart will always stay within the world of artist’s materials”!
Daniel Smith Fine Art Materials are coming soon to a MacPherson’s distribution center near you. Look for an email announcement with display configurations/offers on the complete line for drop ship delivery. That includes watercolors, watercolor sticks, watercolor grounds, mediums, oil color and water-soluble oils. The inventory to fill existing display placements will arrive prior to NAMTA.
Tombow Pencil of Japan is celebrating their 101st anniversary this year. 100 years of quality and innovation!
It has been a sad time recently as some of our industry’s founders and guiding lights have passed away:
Lou Strick, founder of Pentalic Corp died peacefully on May 12th, 2013 at age 87 following a brief illness. In the late 1960’s a very worldly and urbane Lou Strick began importing calligraphic art supplies that he distributed through his Pentalic Corporation. By making special nibs, pens and instruction books widely available, Strick spearheaded a revival of the calligraphic movement in America; he also established the Calligraphy Workshop, a school on lower Fifth Avenue. Read a blog tribute to Lou here
Kate Flax, industry retail innovator and co-founder of Kate’s Paperie, one of New York’s premier paper and stationery stores, passed away peacefully on February 12, in the company of her loving family. Kate was known for her spirit, zest for life, impeccable taste, and sparkling sense of humor which was uniquely reflected in her business. Kate is survived by her husband, Leonard; sons Lionel (Jill) and Lowell (Sarah); grandson William; and beloved sister, Margaret Hitchman. A service was held Friday, February 21 at the Church of St. Thomas More in New York See more at: Kate Flax
On February 19, Herweck’s Jerry Rote died suddenly in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina after 10 days sailing aboard the National Geographic Explorer along the Antarctica Peninsula with his wife of 53 years, Margaret. Jerry was a watercolor artist, medical illustrator and Graphics Department chair at Southwest Foundation for Research and Education. In 1972 Jerry and Margaret bought Herweck’s Art Supply in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, son Scott and wife Amy Rote, daughter Elizabeth and husband Steve Darling, and daughter Katharine and husband Wade Asher; six grandchildren: Donations may be sent to The San Antonio Symphony P.O. Box 658 San Antonio, TX 78293 or The Texas Biomedical Research Institute, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, TX 78245 – See more at: Jerry Rote
2014 marks the 125th anniversary for General Pencil Company. The celebration is kicked off with a behind-the-scenes video of the General Pencil factory featuring Portrait Artist David Kassan and local New Jersey High School art students. Celebrating Artists, Art Teachers, & Artisan Pencil Makers as General Pencil Company looks ahead another 125 years.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oDEkvmHNUg
Hi-Land Art & Frame Co. on Central Avenue in Highland Park is closing by the end of March. According to Greg Sledd, co-owner with his wife, Liz, the business is the city’s longest running business still in the same location.
Kathy Brennan of Preston Art in Louisville, KY reports their Art Materials and Methods Expo, held on Friday Feb. 28 & Saturday, Mar. 1 was a huge success!
