Today I am writing about a sweet little man who changed my life. Without the vision of Gerald Goldstein, my dreams would not be what they are today. He was the founder of Jerry's Artarama, an art supply store where I have worked since 2000. When I started with the company, Jerry was already retired, but he still liked to go to the managers meetings and visit the stores periodically. He still had lots of interest in offering great products to artists at affordable prices. And he still liked to come to Art of the Carolinas to offer his expertise on the products that we offered at the show. He was sort of a celebrity! He loved participating in the set up and definitely loved the sales part of the show. One year he signed a whole box full of Lil Jerry's dolls for the customers. Another year at AOC, we celebrated his 80th birthday.
Thank you Jerry for starting up Jerry's Artarama and involving your sons Ira and David in the business! I remember meeting with Ira 15 years ago and being so excited to finally find a company that suited me and my background. I felt like this was the perfect career for me and exactly what I had been looking for. With the guidance of both Ira and David, I was able to bring to fruition their idea of a trade show and product sale event, now known as Art of the Carolinas and in its 15th year.
Here is a photo of Jerry and me at the 7th Annual AOC, 2007.
I was also afforded the information and education to move forward in my artistic career as well.
This little write up is a thank you to Jerry for sticking to your plan even when the going got tough. Because of that you have changed the artistic lives of so many and we thank you!
RIP Gerald Goldstein.
