Main Street Business

Back in February, I decided it was time to rekindle the art spark for myself. I was a studio art major in college (way back when!), and while I’ve retained an active interest in art, I have not consistently practiced making art. Regular efforts over the years left me feeling frustrated and definitely “not good enough.”

After a visit to the Frances Lehman Loeb in Poughkeepsie, where there’s a gorgeous large work by Agnes Martin – her signature style is graphite lines on canvas forming a meditative grid – I decided that drawing lines across a small piece of paper was a good place to start. No judgement, just play. I would – could – make a simple mixed media collage on top of the lines, and I could do it every day. 

And I have. The art spark is ignited. Everywhere I go I look at things differently, and I’m always exploring things to use to make the collages. In my wanderings and gatherings, I kept hearing about Arlene’s Artist Materials in Albany, NY. I went to the store’s website to learn more, and instantly realized what a treasure for artists this store is.

“Come get creative”

What is immediately apparent about Arlene’s is that it’s there to offer not just the supplies, but the inspiration to use them. The store’s tagline is “come get creative.” Arlene’s offerings are so extensive they’re broken into categories on a linktree site. It includes the store’s merchandise, of course, but also membership info, newsletter sign-up, and info about custom framing, as well as several categories under “Atelier Arlene,” which focuses more on classes and workshops, and selections under a heading labeled “RG,” which is for the gallery space. There’s also a tag for “MMAA,” which is for a makers market hosted by Arlene’s. It’s a festival for local creatives that is held on site three times a year. Exploring the offerings was like opening up a box of crayons. They all begged to be experimented with.

Arlene’s Artist Materials is a quirky and somewhat dated space, all of which adds to its charm. It’s not a big, impersonal box store. A handwritten sign in the window declares, “You’re not sad, you just need ART SUPPLIES.” There’s no arguing with that!

Before you even go through the front door, there are flyers and postcards galore pinned or taped to a board letting creatives know about up-and-coming events of all kinds. Walking into the store is its own celebration.The aisles stretch out before you with supplies of every kind, including lots of fun, gifty items like clever magnets, decorative wrapping paper, trinkets, games, and postcards. Irresistible!

The history’s no mystery

Arlene’s is named after – you guessed it! – Arlene. In 1960, Arlene was doing ceramics in a small space on Madison Avenue in Albany. Her husband made the clay and poured the molds for her. Students from The College of Saint Rose (1920-2024) started stopping by and asking for art supplies. This started small and grew and grew until they decided they needed more space. They moved to the current location at 57 Fuller Road in 1974, naming it Arlene’s Artist Materials. 

Another thing I noticed was special displays of supplies targeted to art classes at local schools and colleges. It’s great to see that an early inspiration for the store is still part of what makes it special.

Arlene and her husband, Mike, ran the store for over 45 years, retiring about 20 years ago. It is now run by their daughter, Donna Garramone. Donna grew up with the store, of course, and worked in it as a teenager and into her twenties. She flirted with other interests for a time “until I decided what I wanted to do,” she explains. “Fast forward forty-plus years, and I’m still here!”

Artists all around

While Donna’s early interest in oil painting morphed into the full-time passion for everything the store has to offer, and she doesn’t paint any more, she is proud of the fact that working artists are essential to the store. The employees are artists. There are artists-in-residence at the store: artists who teach classes and workshops and the artists who contribute to the shows that take place in the store’s galleries and other special events. And the artists who shop at the store regularly.

With online shopping becoming more and more mainstream and convenient, Donna knows that “the knowledge my employees possess is unmatched in comparison to shopping online.” One of the (many) reasons Arlene’s Artist Materials is such a cherished and valued destination for artists and anyone shopping for art supplies and other creative goodies is that “we’re very personable and enjoy talking to people,” Donna says. “You don’t get that kind of attention when you shop online.”

It’s all there

If you need something to assist in your creative practice – or you just want some color and paper to play with – Arlene’s has it. From oils to acrylics to brushes, pastels and pencils and palate knives, inks and erasers and sculpting tools, canvases and crayons and charcoals. “We carry high-quality art supplies at a discount,” Donna says. “I love being around all the creative people that shop and work here,” she says, “and I’m proud of the fact that we’ve been in business for over 60 years and have survived all the ups and downs of the business, and we’re still an independent store.”

As you move to the back of the store, there’s an area for custom framing. Another large room nearby that’s chock full of paper, board, and easels along the walls is also home to folding tables set up for working. It’s one of the rooms in which classes and workshops are conducted. There is also a full basement that has been converted to studio spaces for classes. Classes have been taking place at Arlene’s since 2015. Because they are so popular, they have their own designation through Arlene’s. They’re part of the “Atelier at Arlene’s,” which has its own website where you can find descriptions of upcoming classes and workshops and register for them. 

There are classes offered in everything from drawing and painting to printmaking, calligraphy and lettering, textile and fiber arts, ceramics and sculpture, and digital illustration. Workshops and specialty classes that might focus on portraiture or plein-air painting are also offered. There are only two times a year when the store and its staff take a break from the classes – September and January, when the focus is on “back to school.”

Arlene’s has an artist-in-residence program designed to offer artists time, space, and a supportive community in which to develop ideas and focus on their artistic direction.” It’s a year-long program that has to be applied for. Many of the AIRs also teach classes. There are “Make & Take” sessions where the art supplies are provided and for a minimal fee people can come in and literally “make and take” art. This is popular with individuals and groups. 

Show it off

And if you’re going to create, why not show it off? Arlene’s hosts several shows in its gallery space every year. One is a 3×3 show of works that are limited to three inches by three inches. When it’s up, the walls are filled with these special small works, and they fill the space like a giant quilt. The show is also a fundraiser for a local organization. This year it was Capital Roots. In the past it’s been the Mohawk Humane Society, Create Community, Albany Center Galleries, Free Food Fridge Albany, and Collar City Works. 

Arlene’s also hosts a makers market, where artists can come and set up a booth to show and sell their works. They’re festive occasions, with food and live music, all with the goal of supporting artists and the community. There are markets in May, late August, and for the holidays (November 15 and 29, and December 13). These have been held since 2017, with the theme, “where creativity meets community.”

Then there’s Josie

If the supplies, classes, fun and funky gift items, personalized service, and opportunities to be involved in a creative community aren’t enough, you can come in to say hi to Josie. Who is Josie? She is Donna’s pug. “Josie is the best!” Donna says with a big smile. “I have been a pug owner for over 20 years. She loves everyone and has become our store ambassador. She comes to work with me every day, and people always ask to see her. She brings joy to people.”

If your dream or desire is to get creative – or more creative! – get to Arlene’s Artist Materials. You can become a member and receive discounts and special invitations. My collages are already including new colors and textures and patterns with some things I picked up there. It’s seriously addicting, and for all the right reasons. •

Arlene’s Artist Materials is at 57 Fulton Street, Albany, NY. Learn more at arlenesartist.com, or go to atelieratarlenes.com to find out about classes and workshops. Explore the full menu of offerings at https://linktr.ee/ArlenesArtist.