For Art’s Sake

One of the wonderful things about art and crafting is that it has the potential to be a communal act – whether you have multiple people engaging in a single project or one creative working on something in support or recognition of others.

A fun activity for my family is community painting classes. Friends meet up, perhaps grab a drink and some snacks and try their hand at painting the same image. One year my sister coordinated a girl’s day out with my mom and me, which included a “paint and sip” event. For an hour we watched the instructor mix paints and copied her instructions to create an ethereal scene. The three of us determinedly kept our focus on our own works during the session but afterwards compared our final results. While none of our paintings matched the instructor’s version, we took note of each other’s methods and interpretations that we liked.

In my hometown, a local nonprofit managed projects to brighten the downtown area with murals. While some of these artworks were solely created by just one or two artists, a handful involved the whole community painting select areas of the mural.

I have had the pleasure of talking with retailers who host crafting classes, workshops and retreats for their customers. These spaces provide not only a chance to connect with fellow crafters, but also reinforces the fact that creating is an accessible, powerful and constructive act. Tiffany Jackson, founder of Made On Main in Ashville, OH, got her start hosting papercraft and home décor classes at her home; now she operates a retail location and craft retreat house that welcomes creatives of all types.

Just like art, crafting can be a reflection of our culture and a way to express ourselves. One example of resilience came up while I was interviewing Irfan Qureshi of De Mairo. He mentioned how he shipped lapis lazuli to a retailer in Ukraine where it was received with acclaim. “It’s wartime, but still artists are painting,” Irfan observed.

Irfan has had a fascinating journey from admiring and collecting rocks to processing lapis lazuli pigment for artists and holistic purposes. His story, along with Jackson’s, can be found in this issue, tucked in these pages with a host of fascinating stories.

No matter your age, nationality, favorite medium or skill level, creating can offer connection. You, as retailers and manufacturers, play a vital role as you provide supplies and safe spaces for relationship-building. You have the power to craft a colorful, inclusive world. Let’s go!