Retail Spotlight

Bill Hartman, Sales Director, Golden Artist Colors, Inc.

When artists visit a real fine art materials shop they enter with an overwhelming sense of anticipation as they step into an incredible array of visuals, textures, colors and even smells. In my work as Sales Director for Golden Artist Colors, Inc. I've had the opportunity to see some of the most fascinating and incredibly diverse art material shops from around the world. Each of them, in turn, is also a unique member of the community of artists that surround them. 

Fine art material stores serve a special function: they celebrate the creation of art by providing unique resources within each and every community of fine artists. Some provide gallery or exhibition space for the show and sale of artwork. Some offer space for workshops and special events. Others provide bulletin boards spotlighting artistic or educational opportunities, or simply a place for classifieds only another artist might understand. Often times, they are staffed by practicing artists willing to share their expertise with someone needing additional information, and are just as willing and eager to learn themselves. The best of these stores provide a level of service and a range of tools that cannot be found anywhere else.

In the following section we highlight some of these unique, independent stores who celebrate the value of working with individuals as an integral part of a community. The services they provide, and the roles that they play, are important to all artists looking for valuable information, resources, and a place where they can meet other professionals and serious artists who understand the value of this community. So, in that spirit, GOLDEN would like to introduce you to some of these dedicated, independent art supply retailers.

Sincerely,
Bill Hartman

Wet Paint, St. Paul, MN

H. R. Meininger, Denver, CO

Art Systems, Winter Park, FL

Sam Flax Art & Design Store, Atlanta, GA

Artists’ Mediums, Williston, VT

Binder’s Art Supplies and Frames, Atlanta, GA

Flax Art & Design, San Francisco, CA

Good’s of Evanston, Evanston, IL

Sam Flax of Orlando, Orlando, FL

Aboveground Art Supplies, Toronto, ON Canada

Main Art Supply, Richmond, VA

Stores profiled in this section are selected based on criteria broadly outlined in the section introduction. If you have questions about this section, or would like your store included in this section, please contact Bill Hartman at 1-800-959-6543 for more information.