Submitted by Olyphant Art Supply
Olyphant Art Supply–established in 2010–is downtown Olympia’s only source for fine art materials. Started with a shoestring budget, Olyphant began in a 650 sq. foot office space; soon after, it relocated to the historic Washington St. Arts Building where countless performances, classes, figure drawing, art openings and demonstrations were held in the back gallery space.
With ideas of continuing an agenda of art education on hold, the current goal is to provide inspiration and convenience to artists and enthusiasts; to be a viable, fun and thriving business that reaches a further audience than before while giving another reason for people to visit downtown Olympia.
New Location: 119 5th Ave. SE, Olympia Located between the upcoming Olympia Toy Co. & 5th Ave. Sandwiches
Following a storewide clearance sale, Olyphant Art Supply and Framing will move locations, and thereafter be known as Olyphant Art and Media.
Fundraising via Indiegogo.com will serve to help with the costs of moving, downtime and website development while introducing new Olyphant artwork with the sale of t-shirts printed by DNT STP Printing–an Olympia based silkscreen operation. Original, custom-framed psychedelic posters from the 1960’s and giclee prints of original artwork by local artist and part-owner Nick Baldridge will also be available.
Olyphant Art & Media will specialize in paints, brushes, pens, markers, inks, journals and obscure art & culture magazines. Framing will no longer be available. In addition, Olyphant is currently developing a website that will afford Olympians the option to buy art supplies online while still shopping locally. Prices will be competitive; customers will have the option of in-store pick up, shipping or local delivery, and the inventory will offer merchandise not available in the brick & mortar store. Non- profits and educators will be able to create an account with special pricing. Website is estimated to be live by October 1st. The idea is to combine the convenience, prices and the expansive inventory of an e-commerce store with a brick & mortar establishment downtown–providing a variety of basic supplies as well as reference materials (i.e. magazines, books), artwork, stationery and locally printed t-shirts.
Important Dates:
Storewide Clearance Sale: Art supplies will be discounted 20% to 65%; framed art will be available at cost; prints will be sold for half price: Saturday June 14 – Sunday June 29
Soft Opening: July 15 – July 31
Grand Opening Sale as Olyphant Art and Media: Friday August 15 – Sunday August 24
Indiegogo.com Campaign: June 14 – July 13
* A ThurstonTalk article sharing Olyphant’s unique wares can be found here.
