From Royal we have 3 new Artist Studio Caddies available now for the holiday season, retailing at $29.99.24 mini brushes, 18 standard size brushes and 12 long handle brushes are included within a stainless steel caddy.What a great gift for the budding artist, a complete selection of brushes!
Order now using item numbers RYRCADMINI24, RYRCADSTH18 or RYRCADLH12.
Central Art Supply of Medford, OR owners Ann & DanEbert have an amazing and inspirational story. More than two-years-ago Travis, Abby and Elyssa were in need of a permanent home, and after more than six years in and out of foster care, they have found a forever family at the Eberts. Watch the story they told to the local TV station and have a handkerchief ready! The Ebert’s Wednesday’s Child Story
Charles Graham Berwind Jr., former chairman, CEO and president of Berwind Group, a family-owned investment management company, died at the age of 81 on November 4th. Among other holdings, Berwind is the owner of Elmer’s and X-Acto
Mr. Berwind retired as president and CEO in 1997; he continued to serve as co-chairman until 2006, when he passed the reins to the next generation. Berwind today serves industries spanning pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, consumer products, automotive, commercial vehicle, and natural resources, including such well-known brands as Elmer’s Products, Colorcon, and WellPet as well as BPG Properties Ltd.
A Faber-Castell pencil and crayon production facility in India has been destroyed in a blaze that broke out early on Saturday morning, November 13, 2010, according to reports in the local press. Get the full details here: Faber-Castell Goa India Factory Burns
Jessica Champion has joined the MacPherson’s sales force. She lives in the Portland, OR area and will call on customers in the Pacific Northwest and portions of Northern California.
Royal Brush has completed the move into its new offices and warehouse located in Munster, IN. This new facility provides much needed expanded office and warehouse space. Dino Dovellos, George’s son, spearheaded the operation, completing the move in record time. The new location gives Royal the space necessary to grow and develop their art, craft, kids, educational, and cosmetic brands.
Andy Cozic, formerly with MacPherson’s, has joined the Royal Brush team as Southern Regional Sales Manager. With 15 years of experience in the Arts and Crafts industry, Andy is looking forward to continuing Royal’s growth.
Lynda Hadeen, will be retiring from university of Oregon Bookstore,now branded as The Creative Duck. She is a long-time art and school supply merchant and the founder of the famous Tools of the Trade show. Lynda has been with the store since 1981.
Montana Cans Hits Up the Shanghai Expo! A small group of well-known graffiti artists hit up the recent Expo 2010 in Shanghai to show off their skills with the can. Attendees not only got to see these guys throw down with Montana Cans and paint some amazing canvas walls, but even had the chance to get sprayed themselves with custom Shanghai 2010 stencils on their own clothing!
Mike Stone
Utrecht has announced the appointment of John Christophel as SVP of Merchandising effective November 16, 2010. John replaces Mike Stone who was appointed as the new Southeast Regional Manager. Reporting to John will be the Buyers; Hala Sherif, Debbie Waters and Lynn Benito.
Rick Berman, independant sales rep from the Chicago area was just named National Sales Manager at American Tombow.
A number of great Southern California retailers have been selected as Los Angeles Magazines “Best of Los Angeles” in this month’s issue. Mentioned are: Carter Sexton Art Materials; Artist & Craftsman Supply; Blue Rooster and Kit Kraft. Check out the fun article at Best Art Supply Stores; LA
Peter Hopper passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2010; he was 80 years old. Peter was born in Ottawa, Ontario on November 23, 1930, the second son of Wilbert and Eva Hopper. He was a graduate of Lisgar Collegiate and later attended McGill University to become a Chartered Accountant. He was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal in recognition of his academic excellence. He moved back to Montreal and began his meteoric rise to the Presidency of Hughes Owens, a major Canadian distributor of Fine Art Materials.
Peter left Hughes Owens and moved to Burlington, Vermont in 1978 and began the active distribution of Holbein Art Materialsin North America with his wife Frances and colleague Barbara MacKay. Peter has many friends in Japan, most notably, the Yoshimura family. In 1996 Peter left his day to day involvement in HK Holbein and moved with Frances to Ormond Beach, Florida. Peter loved to travel and he spent much time in Australia, Lebanon, Europe and Japan.
As a human being, he was a consistent believer in all things good. He was a great confidant, extraordinary leader and, above all, an inspiration to all who met him. Peter lived a wonderful life – one filled with adventure, energy and compassion. We will miss seeing him enjoy a Gin & Tonic with Frannie at the Bay or piloting his Grady White on the lake.
Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the National Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA) Foundation, 20200 Zion Avenue, Cornelius, NC, USA 28031-8546.
Due to popular demand, MacPherson’s is now stocking the STABILOOHPens, a line of both permanent and water-soluble pens that write on smooth surfaces. Here is a real testimonial from a member of the US Army on how much they love this product:
“Hello Stabilo!
Just wanted to let you know, as a new Lieutenant in the Signal Corps on Fort Gordon, GA I purchased a pack of 6 “OHPens97” at the PX. That was in January, 1991. I just rediscovered them (I LOVE all things related to pens and markers and keep everything) whipped em out, started testing out my precious antique markers, and to my utter delight, every one of them was bold and fresh as the day I bought them, nearly TWENTY YEARS AGO! Can you believe it? Also, the plastic pen holder they came in (with the little slots for the clip, holding securely all this time) is in great shape as well. Your product is awesome! Now I am a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserve, feeling a little old after 24 years, but I’ve got my original markers, by God! The Old Army still has the mojo! I thought you’d love this story from an astonished customer who is thrilled with the proven quality of your products!
The US Army is glad to have you with us! Way to Go!”
Canson’s new Eco-Friendly line of art pads featuring the illustrations from The World of Eric Carle ™ has already won many awards in 2010—and is in the running for many more in 2011! This new range of art pads for kids won the prestigious Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, the Best Back to School Products Award from Learning and Laughter with Louise, and the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award. Check out the new website for this Eco-Friendly line at www.what-do-you-see.com and become a fan on the Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/whatdoyousee!
Also in exciting Canson news, the Fanboy Range for Comic and Manga artists has just been redesigned! Submit your comic and manga sketches to the new Fanboy website at www.fanboypaper.com and join the Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/fanboypaper?ref=ts
Stu and I have decided to sell 100% of the stock of MacPherson’s to our employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Trust. We plan to complete the transaction sometime during the month of December this year.
Our decision to make all of our employees equity holders in the Company is our recognition of the tremendous contribution they have made to our success. The decision also insures an ongoing continuity for the business not dependent upon Stu’s or my long term planning.
From an operating standpoint the ESOP decision should be completely transparent to our customers and vendors. Stu and I remain totally committed to the success of the Company and will be executing long term employment agreements as part of this process.
Although the paperwork is not yet complete we wanted you to hear the news first from us rather than through the grapevine. We appreciate your support both as vendors and as customers and are dedicated to providing you the same excellent performance that you have every right to expect of MacPherson’s.
We are proud to join the ranks of Golden and Artist & Craftsman Supply in this wonderful way to create a succession plan that allows our amazing and committed team to become owners of this fine company.