Asher Katz who leads Jacquard Products reports that their Production Manager R. Monte Weatherby, age 40, passed away May 27th at 12:15pm in Santa Rosa, CA from a blood infection. His passing was unexpected and a shock to all. He is survived by his two beloved daughters, Serenity, 13, and Grier, 6. If you wish to express your condolences or show your support, please write to asher@jacquardproducts.com or send mail to PO Box 425 Healdsburg, CA 95448. Jacquard will be happy to forward your messages to Monte’s family.
Francis Lyons and Kiyo Fujimoto have retired at Lyon’s Art/Graphaids in Long Beach California.
Alex Bailey reports that Kim Dunham has accepted a full-time position at Golden Paints as Education Coordinator and will be leaving A.R.B. Sales Group, Inc. in early July. Jean Beasley will take on additional account management responsibilities in GA, SC, NC and TN.
Paul Bradshaw, Strathmore Artist Paper’s National Sales manager recently left to join White Birch Papers in Appleton, WI as their Senior Vice President.
Nitram Art, located in Pickering, ON, Canada, suffered a devastating fire at their manufacturing facility on June 12th. It will be at least a year before the factory can be rebuilt and their iconic Nitram Charcoal will resume shipping as all on hand inventory was consumed by the fire. No one was hurt and their community is already organizing a new building committee and donations are welcome as the property owner was uninsured. www.nitramcharcoal.com
Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is joining forces with Faber-Castell in celebration of his love of drawing with the introduction of a $2,850 chest of drawing materials. It will be available in September.