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Blick Art Materials Acquires Plaza Artist Materials
Two family-owned art supply retailers unite under one shared mission
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., May 18, 2026 — Blick Art Materials, LLC ("Blick"), the nation's largest art supply retailer, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Plaza Artist Materials of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. ("Plaza Art"). Effective May 18, 2026, Plaza Art’s 11 retail locations across the Baltimore–Washington, D.C., metro area, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Philadelphia will begin transitioning to Blick stores. All locations will remain open to serve customers throughout the transition. This expansion brings Blick’s total store count to 72, extends its retail presence into two new states, and unites two companies with more than 175 combined years of service to artists, students, educators, and institutions nationwide.
Founded in New York City in 1960 by Rubin Zelenko and Hy Boss, Plaza Art grew from a single storefront on 58th Street into a respected retailer known for deep product knowledge and a service culture rooted in customer care. Led by Rubin's son, Eric Zelenko, as second-generation owner, the company expanded beyond New York beginning with a Richmond, Virginia, store in 1987, establishing a presence across the East Coast and Midwest.
"Plaza Art has spent more than six decades building genuine trust with artists," said Robert Buchsbaum, CEO of Blick Art Materials. "That legacy is not something you can manufacture. It comes from the people and the culture. We're committed to honoring what Plaza Art has built as we welcome their customers and team into the Blick family."
"Blick shares our long-standing commitment to artists, educators, and students, and I'm proud to join a family-owned company that reflects those values," said Eric Zelenko, President & CEO of Plaza Artist Materials. "I couldn't ask for a better home for what we've built. Our customers and staff are in good hands."
Plaza locations will update assortments and branding in the coming weeks and months, with custom framing services resuming under Blick on May 18. As part of the transition, PlazaArt.com now redirects to DickBlick.com, where customers will find more than 110,000 art supplies across expanded categories and free resources for artists and educators.
A dedicated FAQ is available at DickBlick.com/Plaza
About Blick Art Materials
Founded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is the nation's leading art supply retailer. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Blick caters to artists at every stage—from K–12 students to gallery-represented professionals—online, through its print catalogs, and across 70+ retail stores nationwide. A long-time advocate for equitable arts education, Blick supports scholastic, collegiate, and professional arts initiatives at both the national and local levels. In 2013, Blick acquired Utrecht Manufacturing, the historic Brooklyn producer of handmade artists' paints. In 2025, the company launched its wholesale division. Blick is headquartered in Highland Park, Illinois, with primary operations in Galesburg.
About Plaza Artist Materials
Founded in 1960 in New York by Rubin Zelenko and Hy Boss, Plaza Artist Materials was a family-owned art supply retailer led by Rubin's son, Eric Zelenko. For more than 65 years, Plaza served artists, educators, and students with a comprehensive selection of fine art materials, custom framing services, and in-store workshops, classes, and demonstrations. Plaza operated locations across the Baltimore-Washington metro area, Cincinnati, Nashville, and Philadelphia before joining Blick Art Materials in May 2026.