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October 19, 2018 | Brooklyn, New York — Blick Art Materials is pleased to announce the opening of its newest retail store at 41 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, New York. As the nation's largest provider of art materials, Blick will celebrate with a Grand Opening event starting on Thursday, November 15th with a ribboncutting ceremony and gift bags valued at $100 for the first 50 guests. The weekend's festivities will continue through Sunday, November 18th with four days of demonstrations from top-selling vendors and local artists, including a Utrecht Cadmium-Free Artists' Colors paint demonstration by Crown Heights Free Portrait Project artist Rusty Zimmerman. The new store is located on Flatbush Ave near Lafayette Ave, and is two blocks from the Atlantic Terminal and near the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Expanding its presence in the home of its Utrecht manufacturing location based in Industry City, Blick's three-story, 7,800 square-foot retail space is Blick's ninth store in the New York City area, and 63rd across the country. Blick's commitment to artists in Brooklyn, and the New York City area at large, is steadfast in continuing to provide the creative community with the highest level of quality products and the best selection of art supplies. Blick is especially proud to grow its presence in the city where Utrecht paint has been manufactured for over 65 years.
As the parent company of the Brooklyn-based Utrecht brand, Blick recently launched the manufacturing of its new Utrecht Cadmium-Free Artists' Colors, an alternative to cadmium-based paints that offers the same features and working properties as traditional paints, but is safe for artists and the environment.
"The launch of our Utrecht Cadmium-Free Artists' Colors is an industry first that was long overdue, yet carefully undertaken," said Blick Art Materials CEO Bob Buchsbaum, adding that although the primary goal was to create superior-quality paints with the look, consistency, and opacity of traditional cadmium colors, the company also wanted to eliminate the health concerns associated with cadmium paints. "This not only benefits artists and the environment," Buchsbaum said, "but also ensures a safer work environment for the associates who develop and create Utrecht paints at our Brooklyn manufacturing facility, where the paints have been produced for decades." Blick Art Materials LLC, Utrecht Manufacturing Corporation, and Utrecht Manufacturing LLC are all subsidiaries of Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved. Confidential. Not to be copied, used, or disclosed without prior approval.
Blick is deliberate about inviting local and associate artists to enhance its stores. The new space features work by crochet artist London Kaye, paintings by Danielle Mastrion, and a mural behind its cashwrap by artist/designer Efdot. In addition, the company has enlisted artists from within, including work by Blick associate and artist Jordan Josafat from its San Diego, California store who created an art installation and directional signage for the store.
The new store features an expanded assortment of both private label products and top-selling vendors. Product highlights include Utrecht Cadmium-Free Artists' Colors paint, Blick marker refill and nibs, an expansion of Angelus paints, Moleskine and Lechuttrum notebooks, a Caran d'Ache Color Bar, trendy home products, a Kid's Flex space that includes unique children's products, and a custom printing and framing department – all just in time for the holiday season.
Founded in Galesburg, Illinois in 1911, Blick Art Materials is the largest and oldest provider of art supplies in the United States. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists — from the youngest child to gallery-represented professionals. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support for scholastic, collegiate, and professional art shows, both financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. The company's corporate office is located in Highland Park, Illinois, and its main operations are located in Galesburg, Illinois. Blick acquired Utrecht's paint manufacturing facility and 40 retail stores in 2013. For more information, visit DickBlick.com.
Founded more than 65 years ago in the neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Utrecht is known worldwide as a leading manufacturer of top-quality, handcrafted paints and other art supplies. Utrecht is officially recognized with Gold Certification status by the Brooklyn Made program. Sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Brooklyn Made program recognizes the company as a leading, locally based manufacturer and employer.