A Message from Your Local Art Store
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We’re Dylan and Ryan—owners of Creative Exchange, your local source for art supplies and creative tools.
Community involvement isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a commitment. Between the two of us, we serve on local boards and committees that shape the creative and cultural life of our region: from the Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation to the Ruston Cultural District, the Louisiana Peach Festival to the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, the Lincoln Parish 4H to the Friends of Ruston Main Street, and beyond. We believe in showing up, giving back, and helping build a community we all want to live in.
That’s why we’re writing to you today—not just as small business owners, but as community members asking you to stand with us in the support of local business.
Earlier this year, the art supply industry was rocked by the sudden closure of Macpherson’s, the largest wholesale distributor of art materials in the U.S. Their collapse came, in part, from the bankruptcy of Joann Fabrics, which owed them millions. Their assets were swiftly purchased by Blick Art Materials, a massive national retailer known for pricing out and driving under independent art stores like ours.
Let’s be clear: Blick didn’t buy Macpherson’s to help small stores. They bought it to control the supply chain—and squeeze out what little competition remains. They’ve even begun reaching out to indie shops like us, offering supplies at higher prices and worse terms. We see it for what it is: a threat meant to force independents to either fold or fall in line.
Only one major distributor remains to support small, independent art stores—and we strongly suspect Blick would like to get rid of them, too.
We won’t play their game. But we do need you to know that things are shifting. You might notice new or unfamiliar brands on our shelves, or slight changes in what we carry. Behind the scenes, we’re working hard to keep sourcing high-quality products that align with our values—supporting small manufacturers and ethical suppliers.
This is a critical moment. We’re asking you to join us in choosing local—not just here at Creative Exchange, but anytime you shop for creative tools and materials. If you can’t find something in our store, try another independent retailer online at mylocalartstore.com—a hub of small, mission-driven shops like ours.
Please, don’t give your dollars to businesses like Amazon, Hobby Lobby, or Blick—corporations that siphon profits away from communities and undercut the very people who make regions like North Louisiana special. Instead, invest in places that invest in you.
Thank you for believing in independent retail. Thank you for shopping small. And thank you for being a part of this creative, connected community.
Your Friends,
Dylan & Ryan
Owners, Creative Exchange
Ruston, Louisiana
A Snapshot of What Our Investment Looks Like
When you choose Creative Exchange, you’re not just buying supplies—you’re fueling a community-first business model that gives back. Here’s a snapshot of the impact we’ve made together since August 2022:
$26,985 in savings from art kit discounts for LA Tech students, creatives, and local classrooms
$7,054 paid back to customers through our loyalty rewards program
$73,798 paid to artists, makers, and small vendors we proudly support in our shop
Over $23,000 reinvested directly into local events, education, and community initiatives
Every dollar you spend here helps fund creative opportunities for others, strengthens the local arts economy, and supports real people—not corporate profit margins.