36 January 2017 i LIC COURIER i www.qns.com “Our main thing is just being here for the artists and community,” Jussen said. “We try to help out the community as much as we can with donations, whatever we can do.” In addition to students from LaGuardia Community College and Aviation High School, families in Sunnyside and Astoria have been loyal customers, Sparks said. The company also donates supplies to local organizations like Long Island City artists and gives 10 percent discounts to many working artists. Before Artist & Craft Supply opened, many artists made trips into the city to visit Pear Paint on Canal St. But Artist & Craft Supply filled a void soon after Pear Paint’s April 2014 closure. “Besides being one of the only places to get real art supplies in Queens, Cristina Ferrigno from Artist and Craftsman Supply has been a great supporter and sponsor to our group, Long Island City Artists Inc.,” said Edjo Wheeler, board member of local nonprofit Long Island City Artists. “They have come out to support our art shows at the Plaxall Gallery, donated a lot of very needed drawing materials for our life drawing workshops and gave our members some very appreciated discount cards. We’re glad to have them in the neighborhood, instead of always having to go into Manhattan and usually paying more.” Long Island City has also increasingly been the backdrop for large television productions. It is home to Silvercup Studios, and shows such as “Quantico,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” “Daredevil” and “Orange is the New Black” have frequented the store for supplies. Poster board, tape, markers and paint are usually purchased in bulk. Their online store allows customers to Art
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