ARTISAN MISSION STATEMENT
Through collaboration and mentoring by our seasoned artist professionals and employees, we are cultivating the next generation of Artists! We provide quality products and service to both our fine Artists and student Artists while making Artisan a great place to work and shop.
Vision Statement:
To support Artists in achieving success with their creative endeavors!
Artisan is a proud member of
MEET THE ARTISAN OWNERS
Artisan/Santa Fe was founded in 1975 and Paul and Diane met in 1985, a few months after Paul began working at Artisan/Santa Fe. After a career in engineering, teaching and data analysis, Diane joined Paul in the business in 2024 as the majority owner. They love their family dearly: Michael, the Chief Operations Officer of Artisan/Santa Fe, Dr. RayLee, MD, (Neurology) and Dr. Eliana, MD, (Family Medicine/OBGYN).
“We are committed to our Children and Grandchildren, our Staff and Customers, and strive to make Artisan/Santa Fe a great place to work. Join us in being great community partners!”
Curious about what goes on at Artisan?
ARTISAN HISTORY
Over 50 years of supporting artists of every level of experience, throughout the southwest.
1975: Bill Banta and Jack Young moved to Santa Fe from Houston, TX and opened their first store on historic Canyon Road.
1985: Paul Bell was hired.
1989: Artisan’s second store opened in Albuquerque near UNM.
1994: Artisan co-founder Bill Banta died suddenly. His partner, Jack Young sold 49% of the business to Paul Bell, and two other partners.
2000: The first Biennial Artists’ Material Expo was successfully held at Sweeney Center in Santa Fe.
2001: The 2nd Santa Fe store opened on 2601 Cerrillos Road. Co-founders Jack Young and Bill Banta (posthumously) were inducted into the National Art Materials Association Hall of Fame.
2003: Jack Young passed away and Paul and 3 other partners took over the management of the company.
2005: The original store on Canyon Road was closed and an offsite facility was purchased to handle the receiving of shipments and custom canvas stretching.
2015: Artisan Santa Fe celebrated its 40th Anniversary with giveaways, prizes and a parking lot party!!
2015: Artisan was proud to accept the “2016 Community Advocacy for Art Education Award” for its contribution to New Mexico Schools, from the New Mexico Art Education Association. The award was for Artisan’s support for artists of all levels, such as their Art Educators Appreciation night, the annual Budding Artist program and Artisan’s involvement in donation of supplies and awards to New Mexico schools.
2023: The Albuquerque store was sold.
2024: Paul’s wife, Diane Otero-Bell, joined Artisan as the majority owner.
2024: Paul and Diane bought out the other partners to become Artisan’s sole owners.
2025: Artisan Santa Fe celebrates its 50th Anniversary of doing business.
I just returned from Seattle where I attended probably my last National Art Materials Trade Convention. I attended my first convention in Boston with the original owners of Artisan, Jack Young and Bill Banta, in the early 90’s. At this convention in Seattle, I was awarded a lifetime achievement award after over 36 years at Artisan serving the creative community. My daughter Brittany wrote and narrated a beautiful tribute to my career and it was a very special life moment at the ceremony. Due to time constraints of the evening, award winners had their accomplishments presented on video, but not allowed to speak. I really only wanted to say one thing….
Of all the great things serving the artists through Artisan, the accomplishment I am most proud of was my partnership with my partners Ernie Cavasos, Dennis Miller and Paul Bell. We all started back in the 80’s at the original location of Artisan on Canyon Road as sales clerks. Through the generosity of the original owners, Bill and Jack, we became the owners of the business. Through the years we opened more stores, ran eight large Material and Instructional Expos, Pastel shows, Giclee galleries, mail order and internet business…all sharing the work load and cooperating to make them successful. We took turns every year trading off who was the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation and left each other alone to do what they did best to make our operation successful. Ernie ran the Albuquerque market, Dennis did the finances, Paul ran our Warehouse and Canvas Stretching Operation and I got to do the marketing, music, pythons, radio program and the fun stuff for me…it all worked. We all parted fairly and as friends…the greatest accomplishment .
I accept this award for all my partners as well as myself. Paul and his wife Diane are continuing on owning and running the Santa Fe operation, my daughter Brittany and her husband Jerry bought the Albuquerque store, Dennis is retired happily in Colorado, Ernie is retired happily in Albuquerque, and I am off to play and write music…the Artisan story continues….