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Community, Connection and Creativity: Art for All
As a Visual Arts teacher I loved being able to wander shelves and aisles looking at art and craft materials and imagining how they could be used in the classroom. As an artist I have the same penchant for trying out new materials and media- always with an eye for value and quality. Discovering different media and guided by someone with knowledge, patience and empathy ensures that I will be a return customer.
I heard about the Aladdin's cave of Art and Craft World a few years ago, where I found not only a wide variety of paints, inks, papers, brushes, pencils and pastels, but also supplies I didn't know I wanted or needed!
At the helm of this wonderful bazaar is Judith Eleuteri (ably assisted by husband Elf and shop dog Max), who has been in the Art business for nearly 4 decades, beginning as a school supplies representative, then jumping in to buy HU Kendall in Newcastle Street 12 years ago, which was then primarily a Velcro and Professional Art supplier. After rebranding 8 years ago, the business moved to its current location in Morley, and whilst Art and Craft World still supplies Velcro to hospitals, they now cover art and craft supplies for beginners to professional artists, with prices to suit all budgets.
Judith's whole ethos is to support others, both creatively and socially, with practical advice, sponsorship, or just offering space for others to come together and create. She fosters a sense of community and inclusion, so that on any given day her large workshop area will be hosting free events like Tuesday's social group, or the monthly Saturday craft session, as well as classes with well-known artists such as Shirley Winstanley and Sue Hibbert, or even holding a sold-out workshop with international artists for The Mosaics Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ).
Support also takes the form of ongoing sponsorship for MHOS (since 2019), not just through advertising, but also through the encouragement of artists and in-person visits during the event itself. We really appreciate Art and Craft World's contribution to the success of our Art Trail.
For my fellow art teachers Judith is very generous with her time and knowledge, regularly visiting schools to demonstrate new products and offer advice.
She also makes biannual regional trips in the company van to supply those in hard to reach places, where deliveries via couriers can be difficult or very expensive, especially for heavy or oversized products. The shop also supplies remote Aboriginal communities and regional schools.
As part of their submission to the City of Bayswater Excellence in Access and Inclusion Award (now finalists) Judith acknowledges the place of Art and Craft World as a hub of creativity which also helps mental health and offers a sense of belonging for all.
In her own words:
With shop dog Max as a crowd favourite, we believe in old fashion customer service, not only providing quality art and craft supplies, but a space for the community to connect over the shared love of creating. We have consistently witnessed Max’s presence in the store be the catalyst for conversations making people relax, smile and seek him out for a pat.
We are highly committed to community, supporting local artists and providing creative supplies for all ages from kids through to the elderly to engage and foster a love of the arts.
After being greeted by Wonder Woofer Max, you can wander the store, find gifts for kids, adults (and yourself), get advice on oil paints, acrylics, inks, pastels, watercolours (check out the Holbein granulating range- my favourite), mediums, pencils, canvas (stretched and unstretched), paper, basic sewing supplies, markers, brushes and so much more. If you're a member of an art society you could score a discount- so you can buy even more! Above all, enjoy the atmosphere of a store which is welcoming, inclusive and not too tough on the bank balance*.
Art & Craft World is more than just an art supply store. It is a community connection point that not only supplies art and craft products but provides care, connection and creativity to all who enter.
*Of course it's always easy to spend more than you intended!
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