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Business & Tech

Business Spotlight: Rileystreet Art Supply

Visit a creator's haven dedicated to helping art come to life.

1138 Fourth St., San Rafael

(415) 457-2787, sanrafael@rileystreet.com

 

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What do they offer?

Rileystreet, the local and privately-owned art supply business, established itself as one of Marin’s best art supply stores after two years on Fourth Street. With a huge inventory, reasonable prices and a knowledgable staff, Rileystreet has become known as a destination for beginning and professional artists, students, teachers and art-interested people.

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The store provides art materials, along with service and suggestions or advise. Bente Mirow, in charge of the San Rafael location, sees Rileystreet as "a place for artists to meet, learn, share or obtain their needs, and a place that nurtures and sustains the world of art and artists."

Catering to the communal interest in enhancing artistic skills, Rileystreet offers classes, free demos and occasionally events. Their website also features a long list of local art galleries.

Who are they?

Bente Mirow hails from Denmark, where she logged 10 years working in the airline industry and another 10 in the sailing industry. With her kids in middle school, Bente got her master's degree in creative writing and art history. She was previously the manager of . On top of running the show at Rileystreet, Bente is an avid writer. 

How long have they been there?

Rileystreet in San Rafael is four years old this July. It is the offspring of the mother ship established 43 years ago on Riley Street in Santa Rosa by Bill English. The original store was in an old carriage house where Bill sold consignment art and crafts.

A few incarnations took the store through a focus on yarns, looms, leather, macramé and the likes to one of catering mostly to graphic artists and designers. Somewhere along the way Bill took a trip to Mexico and he just did not want to come back. So in 1997 he sold the store to his daughter Jana and son-in-law, Mike Roche.

In 2007, Mike opened the second store in San Rafael bursting with fine arts materials. Mike spends his time in the Santa Rosa store, while the San Rafael store is run by Bente Mirow.

Why are they in our Business Spotlight?

Rileystreet has become a destination for many artists, art lovers, students and teachers. They offer free weekly art demonstrations that have become so popular that there is a waiting list most Saturdays. They run on-going classe: a Monday night figure drawing group, a summer art camp for kids, an art gallery featuring a different artist each month and a monthly Art Walk evening art reception with live music, food and wine.

In addition to their focus on superior service, knowledgeable staff, low prices and large product selection, Rileystreet is active in community involvement and outreach, working with the local schools, as well as many nonprofits in the community by donating art materials and sponsorships to art education.

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