Utrecht Art Supplies

The story begins in 1949 with a problem every artist understands: finding good materials. Norman Gulamerian, a painter in Brooklyn, couldn't find the quality, unprimed linen he needed. His brother, Harold, saw a business opportunity, and the two began importing linen from Belgium out of their basement. They named their venture Utrecht Linens, Inc., a nod to their local high school. The company's playbook was simple: make high-quality supplies accessible. This led them to a key innovation in 1957 when they developed one of the first revolutionary acrylic gessos, making it easier for artists to prime canvases for any type of paint. This success fueled their expansion into manufacturing their own lines of professional-grade paints and opening their first retail store in Manhattan in 1968. For decades, Utrecht grew organically, becoming a trusted name with a loyal following among artists and students. The major turning point came in April 2013 when the company was acquired by its larger competitor, Blick Art Materials. This acquisition brought the Brooklyn-born brand into a national network, combining Utrecht's manufacturing legacy with Blick's extensive retail footprint. The Utrecht factory in Brooklyn continues to produce paints, now available to an even wider audience.