Written by:
Maureen

Exclusive for ArtSmart Cardholders:  FREE GIFT!

Visit us between now and Friday, February, 5, 2010 to earn a FREE GIFT with a purchase of $75 or more.  Choose one of the following free items:

*Utrecht Artists’ Oils:  Your choice of a Series 1 or Series 2 (37ml tube)

*Utrecht 5″x7″ Sketchbook:  Wire bound or Hard bound

*Utrecht Artists’ Acrylics:  Your choice of a Series 1 (5oz tube)

 Print this coupon and present with your ArtSmart card at checkout to receive your free gift.  This offer expires Friday, February 5, 2010 and is valid in-store only.  Coupon code:  86398

We look forward to serving you!

Written by:
Maureen

Did you know that there is a guidebook to all of the arts and crafts shows in northeastern Ohio for the entire year?  Well, there is.  It’s about 50 pages full of contacts, table/booth fees, dates, tips, and more.
Contact Jennifer at CraftShowBooklet@aol.com to order your own copy.  It runs about $10, including shipping.

Written by:
Maureen

55 homes were destroyed or damaged in a natural gas explosion on W. 83rd St. Councilman Matt Zone is looking for any kind of assistance for the many families who have suffered a loss (fortunately, no one was seriously injured - a miracle!). Please call his office at 216-939-1717 if you would like to donate money or help organize a benefit for the families. Thanks!

 We hope that you can offer some assistance, as these homes were not far from the bustling new arts community on the west side.  Thanks to our good friend, Sandy Smith, for getting this information for us.

Written by:
Maureen

Northern Ohio Illustrators Society invites prospective new members to our annual business meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 2010.  This non-profit organization sponsors monthly meetings, gallery shows, workshops, and guest speakers to help promote the fine art of illustration for seasoned professionals as well as those just starting out.  Students have a reduced membership fee, and CIA students are free. 

Please join us for this free informational meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7:00PM at the Shaker Heights Library (Room F) at 16500 Van Aken Road.  Illustrator Milan Kecman will start off our meeting with a studio demonstration.  There will be door prizes (2 Utrecht gift cards) and plenty of refreshments. 

Find out how joining a community of illustrators can help you network and promote your illustration work.

Visit NOIS for more information.

Written by:
Maureen

Pay as you go life drawing at the Cleveland Institute of Art begins again on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.  It runs from 7-9PM and costs $15.  This is open to any artists, but there are restrictions for minors, please call for guidelines.  You pay at the door when you go.  You can go one time, you can go all the time, or you any amount of time in between.  Pay-as-you-go Life Drawing continues until April 7, 2010.

 For more information, check out the extended studies department website, where you’ll also see many different classes that are available. 

 Maybe one of us will see you there?

Written by:
Maureen

Join us for a great, big, giant sale!  We’ll see you then.  Prize drawing will occur the morning of January 20, 2009. 

Written by:
Maureen

Special Holiday Hours:

Thursday, December 24, 2009:  10am-5pm

Friday, December 25, 2009:  CLOSED

Thursday, December 31, 2009:  10am-5pm

Friday, January 1, 2010:  CLOSED

Have a great and safe holiday! 

Written by:
Maureen

Our last shipment to our store before Christmas will be Wed, Dec 23, 2009.  The last day that we can accept orders for that shipment is Sun, Dec 20, 2009.  Though, it is better to come in earlier than that to ensure the best available selection. 

Written by:
Maureen

Cleveland Heights Utrecht associate, Bailey VanKirk, recently placed first in the representational category for the first Utrecht employee art competition.  Competition was stiff throughout all of the Utrecht stores, corporate office, manufacturing facility, and warehouse.   This award was well deserved, and we are very proud of her accomplishment.

 Pictured is her award winning painting.  You can see more of her work on her website. 

Written by:
Maureen

Stop by CIA today or tomorrow to support local art students at their annual holiday show and sale.  The show and sale is at the East Blvd building (the building across the street from the side of the Cleveland Museum of Art) today from 6:30-9:00pm and tomorrow from 10am-8pm. 

 This show is always a nice place to pick up gifts and see the amazing things that the students have been up to.  It’s also a nice show to take your young ones to, so they  have the opportunity to see the inside of the school.  So, take the whole family!