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May 1, 2020 | Chicago, Illinois — Blick Art Materials, the nation’s leading provider of art supplies, was named “Art Store of the Year” by COLORED PENCIL Magazine in its second annual Colored Pencil Awards. The top honor was the result of nominations by the magazine’s subscribers, who voted from a selection of candidates in the Art Store of the Year category to select their favorite art supply store.
According to the magazine’s website, its subscribers consist of tens of thousands of readers around the country and world. The magazine, which is in its eighth year of publication, showcases prominent illustrators and artists working in the medium as well as tutorials and tips for hobbyists and professionals. Among the nominees Blick surpassed were both national and regional brands.
“As the nation’s largest provider of art materials, we seek to provide an exceptional in-store experience by offering an unparalleled selection of art supplies at the lowest prices, combined with award-winning customer service and a unique array of resources for artists of all levels,” said Barton Veghts, Vice-President of Retail Operations for Blick. “It is an honor to be recognized as Art Store of the Year by COLORED PENCIL Magazine’s readers, who are among the most discerning consumers of quality drawing supplies, as we continue to support our customers’ creative pursuits.”
The award is the third this year for Blick, which was also voted Best Online Shop and America’s Best Customer Service in a 2020 independent survey conducted by Newsweek in partnership with Statista Inc., the global data-research firm.
For a full list of 2020 awardees, visit ColoredPencilMag.com.
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.