NAM History
It is often said “from little things big things can grow”. Norman Kaye was a firm believer in this philosophy.
Kaye was one of the founders of the art materials industry in Australia. His long career started in 1946, after leaving the military, when he established the Camden Art Centre and distinguished himself by taking art supplies to businesses - an initiative with the personal touch.
In 1960, Kaye received a Degree of Master of Artists’ Materials from the National Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA), Chicago Illinois, for contributions to the industry.
In the mid 1980s, Camden Art Centre amalgamated with Deans Art Supplies (est. 1854) to become one of the largest retailers of art supplies in the southern hemisphere. The Kaye family name has been synonymous with art materials in Australia ever since.
Norman Kaye’s daughter, Pamela Fitz-Gibbon, joined the business in 1968. Pamela says “In the early days, my father worked hard and long to service what was then a small but growing industry. He was delighted to see it evolve and grow to become the diverse industry it is today”.
Kaye died in 1986, but his legacy was the lasting interest his family has maintained in the industry.
“I am proud of the long term relationship my family has had with the community” says Pamela. “Many of the people who first visited Camden Art Centre, in Fitzroy, continue an association with National Art Materials today. Only now it is with their grandchildren too! It’s great to see the creative tradition continue to grow.”
National Art Materials (NAM) was part of that growth.
NAM was started in 1987, by Pamela, John Fitz-Gibbon and partner Kevin Jackson. It has since grown from a niche supplier to become one of the premier wholesalers of art and craft materials, servicing more than 500 retail art and craft stores in Australia.
NAM started in an 6,000 sq ft. warehouse with 4 staff and a black and white, 30-page catalogue. The company recently moved to a larger and more modern facility of some 20,000 sq ft, servicing a wide range of customers throughout Australia. “We now have 15 staff and offices or agents in 4 states and our catalogue is now 180 full-colour pages”, says Pamela.
The business has grown during the last 17 years and NAM is responsible for bringing many new products to the Australian art market. These include the Oil Bar, the Colourshaper, Artcare (the only portfolio with a locking system), the Pebeo and Holbien range of watercolors, Fragonard oils and pigments and Logan's Framing Equipment.
Diversifying is one of the key facets of success, so accepting the agency of Pebeo, from France, in early 2000 has ensured NAM stays relevant. The very popular range of Pebeo craft colors has helped secure many new customers including the chain store group Spotlight which has 60 stores nationally.
NAM has always enjoyed great relationships with manufacturers like Holbein and Fredrix who reflect the philosophy that quality art supplies do make a difference. In recent years however, the demand for lower priced products has seen NAM include mass produced items from China, including canvas and easels. According to Pamela, “this is beginning to show dividends as the more economical pricing has enabled art and craft retailers to compete with the new ‘$2 shop’ retailers as well as maintain the traditional quality ranges”.
The ever expanding range has hastened the evolution of NAM’s marketing strategies. From simple one-third of a page, black and white, line drawings appearing in the Australian Artist magazine; NAM now utilizes full-page, full-color ads in several national, art and craft magazines. Advertising is complemented with monthly specials, new product promotions, and the 180-page full-color catalogue. “We’re not shy about letting people know what we’re up to and why should we; I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved” adds Pamela.
In June 1997, NAM promoted its wholesale catalogue with ’Anything, Anytime, Anywhere’. In 2008, our 21st year, we still like to think this motto says it all.
