We have covered a range of stories demonstrating that art supply stores are more than shops moving merchandise. They are creative hubs for community with knowledgeable artists on staff, often hosting family friendly events, in-store educational demos or a dynamic lineup of classes. Maybe they host annual art exhibits, curate a specialized product selection their customers love or run a full-fledged gallery that brings in its own audience. Art supply stores are destinations that serve unique communities, connect people to art materials and often provide exciting, educational experiences that can turn a creative spark into a life-long love affair with art.
Maybe your store is doing all these things and more (if you are, please comment or email us, we want to write about you). More likely you are doing some of these things. Maybe you know you need to strengthen a particular channel of your business. Maybe you’ve been meaning to offer classes for a while now but are unsure where to start….
And so, we are excited to embark on a self-directed independent study: Art Dog Ed, a tour of incredible art education programs that stores across the continent have developed over the years. Much like the Gallery Walk (a series that is still active on Art Dog every other month), this series is an opportunity to discover the variety of approaches to art education within our industry. This bi-monthly series will delve into a specific store’s story, whether it is a particular class, the general curriculum offered each season or staff who make the program possible.
Match Made in Heaven
Many of us in the industry can agree when it comes to creative expression: art is an essential part of life. And for the creative world to continue to grow, we need to nourish it. What are we trying to get at with this slightly hungry metaphor? Art education is the bread, and art supplies are the butter: if we put them together properly, creative people will have plenty of food for thought—and keep coming back for more!
Our products don’t do much when left to their own devices: the people who purchase them need to know how to use them to communicate what is in their hearts and minds. It’s no easy feat to manifest your ideas with materials without first knowing some basics of application and technique. Here is where the extra step, a robust selection of classes that meet regularly, draws “creative consumers” in and invites them to claim the identity of artist (whether they admit it bashfully to friends and family, proclaim it proudly across all social media channels or tentatively try out the title now and then at dinner parties).
What to Expect
Here are some topics we are looking forward to covering:
- Creative strategies for stores with little to no classroom space
- Curriculum that specific communities crave
- Types of partnerships: teaching artists, contractors, hidden gems on staff
- Logistical know-how: filling classes, pricing accordingly, kits, marketing genius
- Derivatives: weekend workshops, student exhibitions and plein air field trips
As a team of fellow art nerds, we are already reveling in our first day of art class rituals: sharpening fresh pencils, writing our name and phone number in our sketchbook, packing our backpack ever so efficiently, doodling on our water bottles with a paint marker and brainstorming snacks that are easy to eat in between lengthy figure drawing sessions.
See you in class!
Just like the Gallery Walk, we’ll be accepting submissions to Art Dog Ed on a rolling basis: if you have an art education program you are proud of, a particular staff member, teaching artist, or type of class you think is worth a visit, drop us a line! Email our team at artdogblog (@) macphersonart.com or mention it to your Account Manager.
