THE STORY BEHIND THE
ARTIST EXCHANGE
One of the goals set at our Board of Directors meeting in 2013 was to begin a program that would allow emerging artists to acquire artist supplies free of charge. As a young artist, Ian often commented on how expensive his supplies were for his various art classes. Our Vision Director, Tempest Plott suggested we try and make it easier for these emerging artists to produce the art they loved.......from that came the idea of an Artist Exchange.
Artists can donate new/used supplies (brushes, unused canvases, sketchbooks, sculpting tools, etc) to the Foundation and we will make those supplies available to other artists at no cost. We have also developed relationships with some art supply companies and are receiving brand new supplies that we can provide as well.
To house all these supplies and make it easy for artists to get the supplies we have available, we revamped a 1969 Aristocrat travel trailer. Once the trailer was finished, with new shelves and cabinets, we hit the road and started visiting college and high school campuses; we throw open the doors and let the artists gather whatever supplies they may need for that next art project.
We've posted pictures of the renovation as it happened.
The Artist Exchange
impacting the lives of art students since 2015!
Supplies Pick-Up
Art helps us funnel emotion in a creative and constructive way. In the aftermath of Covid we had to get creative in how we delivered art supplies to students. In an effort to help emerging artists during this difficult time, we were able to get you the supplies you need in light of 'social distancing'.
If you are in need of art supplies, contact us via our email (info@ianmhassett.com) with a Wish List of 5-10 art items you need to keep creating. We will do our best to fulfill these 'wishes'. After the items have been collected, we will contact you via email and you can pick up your supplies at our home. They will be left on the porch, in a bag, with your name on it.
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Some items we commonly carry:
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various kinds of drawing pads (sketch, watercolor, drawing, bristal, etc.),
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drawing pencils (sketch, drawing, charcoal, graphite, watercolor, colored, etc.),
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paints (acrylic, watercolor, oil),
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canvases (8x10 to 30x36),
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drawing pens,
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blending pencils,
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erasers,
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printmaking supplies,
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sculpting tools,
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large sheets (watercolor, colored, drawing, etc.),
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drawing tools
The list is long and our stock fluctuates. ​As always, we only ask that you use these supplies for your own enjoyment and not resell them.
Trailer Locations
We annually visit all the public high school campuses in Santa Maria as well as Allan Hancock College, serving over 1,500 students to date and given away thousands of dollars worth of art supplies. We've posted just a few pics from our outings. We rotate between Righetti, Orcutt Academy, Pioneer and Santa Maria High as well as Allan Hancock College.
If you're interested in having us visit your campus, contact us - we'd love to set up a date! If you want to get on our mailing list to find out when we'll be opening our doors again, please email us at info@ianmhassett.com and type 'Artist Exchange' in the Subject line.
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DONATE TO THE ARTIST EXCHANGE
Donations of unused/gently used art supplies are always needed - if you would like to donate supplies to help keep the Artist Exchange open - please contact us at info@ianmhassett.com. All donations are tax deductible.
We welcome your support for the Artist Exchange. All monies donated are funneled directly into art supplies for students. Each level of giving, represents an increase in the amount/quality of supplies we are able to give to students...completely free.