Happy International Women's Day 2026
Celebrating Women in the Art Supply Industry
This International Women’s Day, Artists Emporium is proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible women who shape the art supply world. From our own owner, Janeen, to inspiring female leaders, founders, and creators behind the brands we carry, these women are driving innovation, creativity, and opportunity in the arts.
Join us as we celebrate their stories, leadership, and the lasting impact they’ve made on the creative community.
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JANEEN JUNSON
Artists Emporium - President & Owner
Janeen, owner of Artists Emporium, purchased the business in 1999 and has since grown it into the largest art supply store between Vancouver and Toronto. Today, Artists Emporium has become a creative hub for artists across the region. In 2003, Janeen was honoured with the Women’s Entrepreneur Awards for Excellence in Service.
In 2009, Janeen expanded the business by purchasing Don's Frames and Smith Gallery, a compatible business that manufactures picture frame mouldings and offers complete custom framing. In 2021, she further grew the company with the addition of Floatmount from 919 Main St., a full-service mounting business offering Floatmount, Plaque Mount, and Acrylic Mount for photos, posters, maps, and more.
Janeen has also been actively involved in the arts community, serving on the boards of the Manitoba Arts Council and the Winnipeg Art Gallery Board of Governors, and supporting initiatives that strengthen Winnipeg’s creative community. Through Artists Emporium, she has supported hundreds of organizations, with a special focus on programs that help talented, creative young people in need, including Graffiti Gallery, Artbeat Studio, Ace Art, Spence Street Project, Inspire, 1 Just City, Oak Table, Siloam Mission, and Art from the Heart.
WILLOW WOLFE
Willow Wolfe - Founder & CEO
Willow Wolfe is an artist, educator, and designer with a deep love for creativity in all its forms. She’s passionate about helping others reconnect with their imagination, build confidence, and experience the joy of making art.
For more than three decades, Willow Wolfe has devoted herself to the art of brushmaking, a craft where science, design, and creativity meet. Her journey has been one of curiosity and care, shaping brushes that balance beauty with performance. Recognized as one of the industry’s most innovative designers, Willow’s work has redefined how artists experience their tools, blending tradition with modern innovation.
At Artists Emporium, we’re proud to carry the brushes, paper pads, and workbooks she has created. Willow doesn’t just design brushes—she collaborates with artists to curate and craft some of the finest instruments of expression. She’s the woman behind the amazing brush lines Callia, Seneca, Siren, and Amavi.
CAROLE HUBSCHER-CLEMENTS
Caran d’Ache - CEO
Since 2012, Carole Hübscher Clements has led Caran d’Ache, the historic Geneva-based maker of pencils, pastels, inks, and more. She is dedicated to preserving the family legacy while guiding the brand into the future, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovation and sustainability.
Her leadership includes initiatives like the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Bernex, which will enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact, setting the course for the next 50 years. Carole’s vision and dedication make her a standout example of women excelling in executive leadership in the global art materials industry.
JAIME ECHT
The Crafter's Workshop - Founder & CEO
Jaime Echt is the founder & CEO of The Crafter’s Workshop (TCW), a family-owned company known for its creative stencils and mixed-media products. What began as a small paper arts shop in 1997 turned into a new business when Jaime started drawing her own stencil designs for the store — and they quickly sold out. Encouraged by the response, she shifted the company’s focus entirely to stencil design in 2005.
Today, TCW produces a wide range of beautifully crafted stencils and mixed-media tools, many still hand-drawn by Jaime and her creative team. In recognition of her impact on the creative industry, Jaime received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA).
BIRGIT COOPER
Heinz Jordan - President & COO
Birgit Cooper has served as President and COO of Heinz Jordan & Company Limited since 1996. Through Birgit’s leadership, the company continues to support art retailers across Canada with reliable service and a strong commitment to the creative community. As one of our main Canadian distributors, Heinz Jordan plays an important role in helping Artists Emporium bring high-quality art supplies to our customers, including brands and products such as Golden acrylics, Derwent drawing materials, POSCA markers, PanPastel colours, and Stonehenge papers.
JOAN BESS & LOU ANN GLEASON
Gelli Arts - Co-Founders
It’s funny how things work. Two women from totally different career paths join together as a collective mind to turn an exciting idea into a reality. Joan has an idea, Lou Ann ‘gets it’ and knows how to make it happen.
Artist Joan Bess dreamed up a reusable, non-toxic gel printing plate, and Lou Ann Gleason, with her product expertise, knew how to make it happen. Together, as co-founders of Gelli Arts, they created the Gelli Plate — a durable, fun, and easy-to-use printing surface that has made monoprinting accessible for artists everywhere. We’re proud to carry their Gelli plates in our store and celebrate their creativity this International Women’s Day!
HAYLEY PRENDERGAST
Grafix - Owner
Hayley Prendergast is the owner of Grafix, a company that has been supplying specialty plastic films to artists, crafters, designers, and makers for over 50 years. Founded in 1963 with a single product used by editorial cartoonists, Grafix has grown into a trusted source for creative materials used across art, craft, graphics, and design. Under Hayley’s leadership, the company continues to explore innovative uses for these versatile films while developing new products to support creative communities around the world.