Let’s talk canvas. In a way, what is happening in one corner of our store is what is happening to the art materials industry and probably to retail in general. One of the through lines these days has been industry consolidation. For example, Dixon US at last count holds 20+ brands, or what used to be separate companies under their one umbrella. Companies like ColArt, Chartpak, Speedball and others also holds multiple entitles. Even Golden Acrylics is responsible for Golden products as well as Williamsburg oils, QoR watercolors and now PanPastels.
I say this not to trash consolidation (there are pros and cons), but more to explain the changes happening in our canvas world. One of the companies that also held many brands was Macpherson’s. They not only supplied many of the retailers in the US, but they were also the main US importers of brands like Stabilo, RGM knives, Copic and Posca as well as controlling brands like Sennelier, Fabriano and Raphael. And for today’s chat...controlled the Art Alternative and Fredrix canvas brands. They just went bankrupt.
So how does this affect canvas. Currently, Fredrix canvas and Art Alternative canvas are not available to us. These 2 brands made up 90% + of the canvas we stocked. So we adapt.
We’ll be stocking more Winsor & Newton canvas, more canvas and panels from Strathmore, items from Royal Brush and Meeden and last week we unloaded 980 pounds of Masterpiece canvas. Product and brands we hope you get to know and trust. And, to their credit, each of these companies has worked hard to make buying easier for us and help us bring you a great price. To date, all of our canvas is discounted 40 to 55% everyday...and we pay the freight and handle the damage.
You will certainly see us and all retail flex over the next few months as we search out the new, the interesting and figure out how to best restock. If there are a few outs this summer it is due to half of the art material retailers in the US jumping to new suppliers all at once and the other ½ now waiting in a longer line! Just remember to check us first when you search for rolls, panels or stretched canvases of any size.
