Friends of Art store turns 40

Turning 40 can bring people down, but the founders of the Friends of Art Bookshop say they have many reasons to celebrate their 40-year anniversary of supporting art education and students.

The Friends of Art Bookshop will open the School of Fine Arts to the community this weekend to share in the celebration.

Patty Pizzo, the founder of Friends of Art, will give a history of the Bookshop. The celebration will be followed by an exhibition, “Collecting the Contemporary: Building an Artists’ Book Collection,” in the Fine Arts Library.

Starting as a bookstall in 1968, Friends of Art has developed into a quaint shop tucked away in the School of Fine Arts, containing a wide range of art books, cards, posters and various gift items.

Because Friends of Art is a nonprofit organization, all proceeds from the store, in addition to the funds from Friends of Art memberships, provide scholarships, fellowships and travel grants totalling more than $30,000 a year.

“Philanthropy is good,” said Colleen McKenna, managing director of Friends of Art Bookshop. “You give to a system and receive from a system.”

The bookstore offers work-study for student employees to bond with professors and other students and also to serve as mentors.

“I think it’s awesome. We need the help – art school is expensive,” said senior Jenny Huynh, employee of Friends of Art Bookstore. “It’s a pretty friendly environment, and it’s easy access.”

Whether it is providing financial assistance, selling books or employing the art students the store supports, the goal is to keep it based in the community, said Marci Hughes, assistant manager of Friends of Art.

“There’s always competitions with corporations who seem to have better deals, but it’s taking money away from the community,” Hughes said.

Art students also might find it beneficial that the same genre of books in the Library of Fine Arts can be found in the bookshop to own and start their personal collections. Also, the smaller, personable atmosphere gives customers more of a connection to the store, Hughes said. 

“Libraries can be overwhelming, but here you can find an entire section that interests you,” Hughes said.

McKenna and Hughes, both art student graduates, remember the Friends of Art Bookshop during their years as IU students and see the changes the store has made. Even though this month is about reflecting over the 40 years, there is still the future to look forward to.

“We want to have online presence,” Hughes said. “We can only grow and expand in store so much.”

McKenna said she hopes the presence of the bookstore will continue to provide the community that in return supports them.

“We want to continue to exist and give money for scholarships,” McKenna said. “There are not too many independent bookstores.”