"The Junction Needs an Art Supply Store" - Guest post by Sharlene Rankin

And here’s why:

Behind the curtains of storefronts, in back alleys, in spare rooms and above retail shops are numerous artists working on their craft. Why not give them a break! Instead of trekking downtown, give them the option to shop local.
There is a huge fine craft following that would benefit from access to supplies – just ask Mary at Wise Daughters Craft Market. She hosts numerous artists and workshops. It would be so much easier to buy supplies locally.

In the area we have the Academy of Realist Art, Art Works Art School, the Junction Arts Festival, and numerous galleries, teachers, designers and creative upcyclers and recyclers. We also border Bloor West Village which hosts the Bloor West Village Art Tour. No art store on Bloor West either! All those creative folks would come to the Junction to shop. Think about all of the other surrounding neighbourhoods and art schools that would also come – High Park, Roncesvalles, Junction Triangle, Bloordale, Etobicoke School of the Arts...
There have been suggestions that the store could rep. some industrial art supply companies for quick pick up of supplies for potters, sculptors, etc. The shop could also cover niche services such as binding, compilation of portfolios, custom sketch books, client pick up services for artists to drop off works. But basically, anything would be great!
Being an artist and gallery owner in the Junction, I would rather ride my bike or walk to an art supply store rather than fight my husband for the car to drive downtown. Buying art supplies on public transit is not fun either (think large canvases and reams of paper).

I hope some creative entrepreneur is out there and reading this. We welcome you with open recycled shopping bags.

Sharlene Rankin, Director
TELEPHONE BOOTH GALLERY
3148 Dundas St W, Toronto
647-270-7903
http://www.telephoneboothgallery.ca/