08/18/26
Local art groups are full of colorful characters. Painters, crafters, mixed media artists and more rely on retailers for supplies and building community. We asked retailers about their respective art scenes and how they’re supporting local artists and crafters.
From Howard Krinsky of Binders Art Supplies & Frames in Atlanta, GA:
“The art scene is very vibrant and is growing. There are many resident artists who live in all parts of the metro area. There are always some art-centric event or gallery openings happening just about every week. We can tap into that throughout the year.
“We have an in-store gallery and host gallery receptions monthly. We also have classrooms that we either rent to organizations for meetings/workshops or we put on our own. We have done artists’ talks and have invited the community. Each year we have our birthday bash and along with our giant sale – we have a call for artists for an artists’ market in our parking lot. They set up tents and sell art to the general public. We help connect artists to local groups with networking. I view us as a hub in the wheel. We can help many of our artist outside of supplies, helping them make connections. We sponsor awards for different art shows.
“I am showing my age, but the Doobie Brothers once had a hit in the day called, ‘Takin’ It to the Streets.’ My advice is to do just that. Get out of store by calling on art groups, leagues, schools, etc. Collaborate. Think out of the box. Be proactive. Go get business. Don’t wait for it to come to you. If you get knocked down, keep moving.”
From Chris Hauser of Carter Sexton Artists Materials in Los Angeles, CA:
“About 10 years ago, we started hosting more in-store events. While classes and demos were well-attended before COVID, interest in those has waned. However, our In-Store Art Shows have remained incredibly popular.
“We are finally back to our pre-COVID volume of one show per month. We schedule these themed shows a year in advance. We host opening receptions from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month, extending our store hours for the occasion. We provide refreshments and promote the events – along with the calls for entries – through emails, Instagram, Facebook and in-store flyers.
“To cover costs, we charge a $15 entry fee per accepted piece of artwork (with a limit of three pieces per entrant). We usually get 50 to 80 pieces, which fully fund the opening night food and drinks, staff overtime and any miscellaneous expenses. We also take a modest 20 percent commission on sold artwork. The idea behind the lower commission is to help artists price their work more affordably, though they have complete control over their pricing. We usually sell anywhere from one to 15 pieces, and have recently begun to allow artists the bring prints of their artwork as well.
“The opening nights are always well-attended, and customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive. At every single show, I hear at least one person say, ‘I’ve never been here, this place is awesome’ – which is exactly what we are aiming for.
“The artwork hangs in the main part of our store for three weeks before we take it down for the next show. Since our store is relatively small (the retail part is maybe 3,000 square feet) the rotating artwork really becomes a changing focal point. We create professional computer labels for each piece detailing the artist’s name, title, medium, size and price. We’ve occasionally applied this same model to individual artists, local schools and art associations. Experiencing the reaction when kid artists see their artwork hanging in public is priceless.”
From Andrea Bisignani of Crafts on the Move in Aquebogue, NY:
“The North Fork of Long Island is a genuinely creative place. My store is rooted in paper arts, but the creative local community is far broader than any single niche. The area draws artists, makers and artisans from New York City and Nassau County who bring with them a deep appreciation for handmade work and creative community. Local arts and crafts shows are a regular part of the calendar, and organizations like the East End Arts Council and the Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild provide real infrastructure for the creative community here.
“I offer in-person paper arts workshops for adults, covering topics like handmade paper making, art journaling and card making. I have also hosted workshops for children. Card and project samples cover the walls and display shelving throughout the store, and finished card samples hang alongside the products that made them. For paper artists and card makers, seeing the finished outcome of a product is often what closes the sale.
“Over time those in-person relationships became the foundation for everything that followed. As the retail landscape shifted, I expanded into hybrid and fully online classes, and eventually launched Card Maker’s Corner, a paid membership community with live Zoom sessions for card makers across the country. I found that starting in person, even when my long-term vision was online, was essential. There is no shortcut to the trust that comes from standing in a room with your customers, teaching something, and watching them create.
“I bridged the gap deliberately. The customers who took paper-making classes in my store became the first members of my online community. I learned that virtual classes are not a replacement for in-person connection but are an extension of it. Building real relationships locally first gave my online community something genuine to grow from.”
From Jennifer Boe of the Underground Art Store & Mailroom at the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, MO:
Kansas City has one of the strongest and most accessible art communities in the Midwest. In addition to being home to the Kansas City Art Institute, the city has a thriving network of artists, galleries, museums, print shops, maker spaces and neighborhood arts organizations. There are major annual events along with a constant stream of exhibitions, lectures and community art projects.
“We organize an annual international Mail Art Exhibition, partner with academic departments on publications and merchandise, support visiting artists and writers, and collaborate with campus events throughout the year. We also help departments sell books, prints and merchandise at exhibitions and readings, giving students and faculty real-world experience with retail and marketing.
“One of KCAI’s newer initiatives is Marble & Canvas, a companion retail space focused on alumni artwork and locally made products. We also work with KCAI’s Art + Design Lab, which provides students and artists with access to advanced fabrication tools and collaborative opportunities, further expanding how we support creative production on campus.
“Become a participant, not just a supplier. Attend gallery openings, artist talks and community events. Invite artists to share their expertise through demonstrations and workshops.
“Consider embracing aspects of a makerspace model within your store, or partnering with an existing makerspace to provide shared tools, learning opportunities and collaborative environments.
“Most importantly, think beyond selling products. An art supply store should be a place where artists gather, discover opportunities and feel connected. If your community sees your store as a creative resource rather than simply a retailer, they’ll continue to support you for years to come.”
