Features
Learn how-to get started with watercolour & oil paint and meet Christina Fluorentzou from the flagship Islington store of Cass Art in London.
How did you get started?
Mark Cass opened his first shop in 1984, next to the National Gallery, London. He wanted to make art accessible for everyone by offering the world’s best art materials at the best prices, and he has since opened eight new shops across the UK. His father, Wilfred Cass, founded the Cass Sculpture Foundation, commissioning large British Sculpture, and his great uncle, Paul Cassirer, was a very important art dealer in the 1900s, who brought Impressionism to Germany. You could say that art runs in the family! Cass Art is works closely with the art community, hosting creative workshops and supporting artists with opportunities beyond the art materials we stock in our shops.
Where are you located?
Our Flagship shop is in Islington, near Angel, London, but we have four other shops across London too, in Charing Cross, Hampstead, Kensington and Soho. We also have shops in Kingston, Glasgow, Bristol and Liverpool.
Which products do you specialise in?
Art materials, including a great range of paint, paintbrushes, canvas, pencils, pens, sketchbooks and more. We stock a wide range, including art supplies for professionals, students, hobbyists and children, so no matter where you are on your art journey you are sure to find the right art materials for you.
Do you have a particular favorite product that you sell?
We have so many, but my favourite product is the Rotring Tikky graphic triple pens . They’re brilliantly consistent fine liners great for sketching and technical drawing.
What's on the stereo?
At this very moment - The Killers, Shot at the night.
Where else should we visit in your area?
Candid Arts Gallery is great – they’re a self-funded charity on 3-5 Torrens Street in Angel.
Do you host any workshops, classes or special events?
We host lots of events in the Islington Flagship, from free children’s workshops in the school holidays, to art talks, demonstrations and panel discussions. Last year we had the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year judges and artists in the store to talk about what makes a good portrait, and the author and illustrator Jake Spicer joins us regularly to host drawing classes and book signings. Most recently we had the renowned oil paint maker Michael Harding give a demonstration of his brand new colours to our customers. At the moment, every Saturday we set up the Cass Kids Activity Table, from 10am-2pm, where young artists can drop in and create their own design for the Fourth Plinth Schools Awards. In short, we host several events and workshops for both adults and children, but they run on an ad-hoc basis and are promoted on our workshop page. Keep checking back to find out what’s on!
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
I think it’s important that people know that all the staff at Cass Art are artists themselves. So if you ever have a creative query or want to know more about a particular art material, you’re in safe hands – our staff know art, they know materials, and they really have an invested interest in what our customers are trying to achieve. Plus we’re a friendly bunch and always happy to help.
Do you have a favorite craft, art or supply shop in your town that we should feature? Send us a message!
Share
Follow
