Press Release for opening day

NEWBURGH ART SUPPLY AND THE PALATINE SHOP ANNOUNCE NEW GRAND OPENING DATE – JULY 26

Worth the Wait – A Visual Feast!
Newburgh, NY, July 15, 2008.

After a delay in receiving merchandise, Newburgh Art Supply and The Palatine Shop are holding their Grand Opening on Saturday, July 26 from 12 noon – 5 :00 pm at 87 Liberty Street, in the heart of Newburgh’s Heritage Corridor. Now stocked with a complete inventory of art supplies, Gerardo Castro and Michael Gabor are excited that they are ready for business. 
Newburgh Art Supply carries all the basics for professional and advanced artists including nationally recognized brands. You can also find student-grade materials that are more affordable, including kits to encourage beginners. They have also acquired a selection of handmade papers from around the globe. The shop is distinctive locally as the only arts supply store in Orange County, and nationally, as an art supply source concentrating on earth-friendly art supplies. They anticipate that their stock will evolve and grow in response to customer requests.

As an internationally exhibiting professional artist, Castro conveys his motivation “to help young people explore possibilities through art”. The store will provide a place to gain both information and inspiration. The shop’s mission embraces the spirit of sustainability by offering artists a cost-effective and convenient place to buy supplies typically found a distance away. Shopping locally helps the environment and the economy -- it contributes to Newburgh’s vitality as a “walk-able” city, saves gas and travel time, and creates commerce. In addition to seeing artwork displayed in the shop itself, the storefront windows will hold a special treat. Castro sees store windows as “The great hero of image communication – 3-D billboards bolted to the front of the store”. As promised, you won’t want to miss the opening windows dedicated to notable historic sites within the city of Newburgh!

The renovated store with its gleaming tin ceiling, schoolhouse light fixtures and ceiling fans, creates the feeling of an old-time shop found in the Newburgh of yesteryear. So it is fitting that The Palatine Shop, which grows out of Gabor’s passion for collecting Newburgh souvenirs, is located within the Newburgh Art Supply space. Whether a native or a transplant, Gabor describes how Newburgh “becomes a part of you” after spending time here. He recognizes how souvenirs convey a “pride of place” and regularly hears from people searching for mementos, even those who have left many years ago. The Palatine Shop, whose name pays homage to the posh Grand Street hotel that was razed during "Urban Renewal”, will offer a selection of antique souvenirs along with new ones -- such as postcards and greeting cards by local artists. Among the antique souvenirs is a broad collection of plates with images of Washington’s Headquarters, one of Newburgh’s most visited attractions. How serendipitous that the shop's door aligns precisely with the Headquarters’ gate across the street!

Newburgh Art Supply and The Palatine Shop are collaborating with the talented custom picture framer, Eric Jarmann, who will provide services to artists and the general public. You can contact him at www.ejframe.blogspot.com. Creating such synergy with area artists reflects the owners’ pride and commitment to their community. The first of several new businesses opening in the immediate locale this summer, they see the shops as filling a need in Newburgh’s burgeoning art community and retail scene. The shops contribute to the resurgence of the neighborhood, which has long shown promise as a retail and tourist hub. Other plans are to develop a monthly newsletter, which will feature a Project of the Month and a Young Artist of the Month, encouraging the public to embrace the arts. The shops’ websites will provide links to a comprehensive calendar promoting arts events and activities throughout the city of Newburgh.

For more information, contact Newburgh Art Supply at 845-561-5552 or www.newburghartsupply.com and The Palatine Shop at 845-561-5558 or www.thepalatineshop.com.