| Always do the very best you can. If you’ll just make a commitment to improving the quality of your work, incrementally, you’ll see enormous changes over the span of years. ~ Tom Tischler |
What would it take to create a business that will still be here in 100 years? This is a question I reflect on every so often.
This Saturday we’re celebrating the Art Supply House’s 20th anniversary! (Which means we’re 1/5 of the way there.)
In some ways, the world has changed dramatically over the life of the Art Supply House. After Linda and Chris started to meet a need for local art supplies and custom framing, they served the community for nearly a decade. Jeramiah took up the torch for 7 years before pursuing another adventure when Matthew came along as the steward. In the wider world, we can all now find tutorials and advice instantly from other artists around the world and shop online at all hours.
In other ways, the world hasn’t changed at all. Personal connections and relationships are still vitally important. I want to hold an unfamiliar product in my hand before purchasing, to literally get a feel for it. Asking for feedback and advice sometimes requires minute details to be shared. Looking someone in the eyes and receiving a smile face-to-face elicits a reaction different than an emoji provides.
I don’t know what the Art Supply House will look like in 100 years, but I expect it to still be here. Humans will still be creating. Those foundational basics won’t have changed – we’ll be working in person to provide advice and inspiration along with art supplies. Someone else will be at the helm, serving the creative community to the best of their ability.
- This week we’re featuring everyone who works at the Art Supply House. I try to make sure they know how amazing they are, what a wonderful job they do, and how great every one is. I might be the owner, but that doesn’t make me the boss. Kristen and Robin manage their departments and do a dramatically better job than I ever could – so I try to make sure they have the resources and support they need, and get out of the way so they can take care of things. Lauren does an amazing job in the frame shop. Tom is learning from Robin and Lauren (so, from some of the best!) Anna and Anara help give Kristen time away from the register so she can research products and myriad other tasks that help make the store as great as it is. (I don’t currently have pictures of everyone, unfortunately.)
- Bob Ross would have been 80 on Saturday.
- Sorrel Sky Gallery recently shared a post about the art of fine framing.
- I thought this article about Synesthesia was a fascinating read, to see from another’s viewpoint.
- I’m pretty sure this is wizardry of some sort – an owl riding a broomstick.
- Comfort work, the work you do when you don’t know what to do.
- In this short video a squirrel demonstrates the power of small habits. Are you creating, regularly?
- Is this the year you take on National Novel Writing Month? Participate in the Page One Writing Contest.
- See a free demo of traditional matcha tea making at Create Art and Tea tomorrow (Thursday).
- Here’s a local art call, application deadline of the 30th.
- Sunday is Mountain Monk Coffee’s open mic night. Sign up at 5:30 and from 6-8 enjoy spoken word, comedy, music, and creative experiences.
- Monday is Halloween, so there are all kinds of activities this weekend. Rocky Horror Show at the DAC, Three Springs Fall Festival, Nightmare on Elk Street Haunted House, DGO Magazine’s Freak Show, and Downtown’s Children’s Halloween.
- It’s also autumn, so Saturday is the Fall Animas River Cleanup, and the Haunted Hallow-Glean Apple Harvest.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at Create Art and Tea, the Durango Arts Center, Let’s Letter Together, and the Scrapbook Nook. There are a lot more things happening that I don’t include – so if you’re ever looking for something to do, start at WhatsHappeningDurango.com
- There’s live music scattered about town all week.
- Saturday is Customer Appreciation Day so come down and celebrate with us. Bring your bag! We’ll have some goodies on sale and a few surprises available. Can’t wait to see you!
Twenty years! None of them could have happened without you. You inform the services we offer and the products we carry. You inspire us to keep on keeping on – through conversations, friendship, art projects in process, and so much more! We are honored that you entrust us with your art, whether to be created or preserved. Without your support we wouldn’t be here, and wouldn’t want to be.
We all believe that art makes the world a better place. For the person creating it, using it, displaying it, or viewing it. We are here to support you, because the world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew