‘Every artist was once an amateur’!

This is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American writer 1803-1882.

However, Emerson’s most famous quote is - ‘Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but rising up every time we fall’.

I often think of these quotes, when painting and remembering the early days of establishing my retirement business, Alexander Art Supplies. The shop opened in 2018 from very humble beginnings, in a $25 per week space (not much bigger than a trestle table) in the ‘Old Kiama Co-op’, which was located opposite the Terraces in Collins St.

I opened the shop a couple of years after we retired to Kiama, from Canberra, where I had a 43-year career in education. I always felt connected to the South Coast, as my childhood was spent growing up on a dairy farm at the base of the escarpment behind Dapto. After finishing high school, I completed a Bachelor of Education in Canberra, majoring in Art. Despite my passion for art, I never taught art. Instead gaining employment as a primary & high school teacher, with my final 15 years working as a careers advisor for students at Telopea Park High.

With a sea change retirement to Kiama, I felt a sense of belonging to the town, as my ancestor, Francis Alexander emigrated from Ireland to Kiama in 1860 (the same year the Kiama Post Office and Police Station were built). Francis is buried in the Bombo Cemetery with the words, ‘Born County Tyrone’, on his headstone. A few years ago, my husband and I visited Ireland and located his family and farmhouse in Dromore, County Tyrone … a very special time.

After years in Education, I pictured my retirement to be immersed in art. Thanks to Ken Tucker’s encouragement, I joined the Kiama Art Society and was soon enrolled in weekly acrylic painting lessons with art teacher, Kathy Karas. Despite having a background in art, I was very much a beginner, as the techniques and materials had changed since I last picked up a brush. I wasn’t interested in purchasing art supplies on line, as I preferred to go into an actual shop and select from a range of quality products. As Kiama didn’t have such a shop, I opened my eyes one morning and said, “I’m going to open an art supplies shop!”

My cousin, Kate Broadfoot, a Bulli artist, gave me advice as to where to source high quality art supplies. Kathy Karas gave my lots of moral support, and my husband Rick, supported me with the logistics of setting up my rented space, plus putting together the massive art stands that came in a kit. I also need to give a big thank you, to Tammy and Sean who leased the ‘Old Kiama Co-Op’. They gave me the opportunity to start small, with an unbelievable $25 week rented space!

My art supply business slowly gained momentum and was soon able to double the rented space, at a cost of $50 per week! This might seem an insignificant amount, however to a sole trader, who vowed to only grow if the business could support the growth, it was a big step.

My shop in The Collective now

With the threat of the Old Kiama Co-Op closing, due to a proposed new development, I relocated my art shop to The Collective in Terralong St. Once again, I was grateful that such an opportunity existed for a small business to thrive in a collective space with 40 other small local businesses.

In my new location inside The Collective, it wasn’t long before my shop floor size doubled again! The Collective Beat, has friendly staff who are always willing to support customer requests. If staff are unable to answer a question, or locate a particular product, they phone me and together we solve the issue. This sometimes means placing a special order with my Sydney supplier.

The name, Alexander Art Supplies, comes from my pioneering connection to the Kiama area. My logo is a paint palette, taking the shape of the wooden paint palette used by my brother, Gordon. Sadly, Gordon passed away at 32 years from renal failure. He spent many years connected to a dialysis machine with his colourful wooden paint palette, not far from his side.

Gordon's palette

Paul Kelly sings, ‘from small thing, big things grow’!

This maybe true, however the survival of Alexander Art Supplies in this current financial climate can only happen with the support of many …. including the many wonderful customers who choose to BUY LOCAL. 

I recall a customer saying to me, “If people don’t support local businesses, they will wake up one day and say, Kiama once had a high quality art supply shop… I wonder what happened to it!”

If you’re seeking advice or purchasing from Alexander Art Supplies, you can do so by:

 - visiting the shop, located inside The Collective Beat, 100 Terralong St, Kiama.    Open Mon-Sat 9.30-5pm & Sun 10-4pm

- purchasing on line – www.alexanderartsupplies.com.au

(the website is still in progress, so not all products available are online)

- facebook and instagram @alexanderartsupplies

- speaking directly with Susan ph 0407 110 853