Creativation 2018 – Dixon-Ticonderoga Booth

One of my personal Creativation 2018 highlights was Dixon-Ticonderoga's booth. Michelle Montes, professional artist, shared all kinds of information about F.I.L.A., the parent company which handles loads of supplies that mixed-media makers are quite familiar with. I thought I'd just be learning about pencils, but I was pleasantly mistaken!

Michelle gave us a tour of the booth and showed us art supplies including Prang Watercolors (which I love to use), Daler Rowney paints (System 3 and Graduate Acrylics) and acrylic inks. Michelle kindly sent me home with a set of Lyra Aquacolor Pastels which I've been thoroughly enjoying. I know you're going to want to check them out! Also to my surprise, Das air dry modeling compound and Canson Products are distributed by F.I.L.A.

Be sure to click the photos to see details!

• Historical highlights from http://www.filagroup.it/en/around-the-world/
• Dixon Ticonderoga Company holds the distinction of being one of the oldest companies in the United States, with roots dating back to 1795 during the term of our first president, George Washington. One founder, Joseph Dixon, contributed a great deal to our young progress. Joseph Dixon developed the first pencil in the United States. Joseph Dixon was responsible for the major development of the U.S. graphite industry and instrumental in starting the steel industry in the United States.
• In 1827, Joseph Dixon established his firm in North Salem, Massachusetts, using graphite to manufacture crucibles, the highly refractory vessels used for melting metals and minerals. Dixon also explored other uses for graphite, and discovered its merit as a stove polish, a lubricant, a base paint, and as a lead in pencils. In 1847, Dixon established a new factory in Jersey City to manufacture “Crucibles, Stove Polish and Pencils” as the sign on the building read.
• In 1859 a new firm, Joseph Dixon & Company, was formed when Dixon’s son-in-law, Orestes Cleveland, became a partner, and they soon acquired the extensive mining property, mills and water power of the American Graphite Company at Ticonderoga, New York. At that time, Ticonderoga became a registered trademark of the company. These events marked the beginning of the company’s rise to the top of the industry, as it became the largest dealer in, and consumer of, graphite in the world.
• In 1913, the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company introduced the Ticonderoga pencil, named for the site of the graphite mine in New York. The Ticonderoga’s national advertising campaign focused on the patriotic imagery of Ethen Allen and the battle of Fort Ticonderoga, featuring paintings by such noted American artists as N.C. Wyeth, Harvey Dunn, Tom Lovell and F.C. Yohn. Norman Rockwell also created several paintings for the Ticonderoga campaign. One of these paintings is proudly displayed at Dixon’s corporate office in Lake Mary, FL.
• The Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. continued to prosper throughout the 20th century, growing through a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 1957, hoping to supplement its line of lead pencils, Dixon merged with the American Crayon Co., which was founded by Louis Prang. Louis Prang was a world-renowned chromolithographer and art educator who introduced art education into the American school system. He was also known as the father of the American Christmas card. His name is engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty as one of the most contributing immigrants to come to the U.S. This merger brought to Dixon such products as the Crayon Pencil, Prang School, Marking Crayons and Tempera Materials.
• The Dixon Ticonderoga Company of today continues to honor our heritage by maintaining our status as one of the major consumer products manufacturers in the United States. As we move forward into the 21st century, we will continue the tradition set by our founders of offering innovative products that are sensitive to the needs of the consumer, manufactured with care and are of the quality that is second to none.

Be sure to check back for more Creativation 2018 posts!

Remember to Get Creative today! It's Easy!!

Barb

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