Artisan Network, Inc. Acquires iTheo.com
Online Art Leaders Bring Artists Global Exposure
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Aug. 14, 2000--Artisan Network, Inc.(TM), the global network of art-related Internet companies, today announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based
iTheo.com (www.itheo.com), for an undisclosed amount. iTheo.is an online marketplace for artists that showcases more than 10,000 works of original art from member artists.
''How appropriate that
iTheo.com is named after Theo van Gogh, the brother of Vincent van Gogh, a patron of the arts,'' said Bob Cunha, president of Artisan Network. ''Artisan Network is doing precisely what Theo did for Vincent and many others: bringing much broader exposure to emerging artwork.''
''The artwork on iTheo.com will be exhibited and available for purchase on our vast network of partner sites,'' explained Cunha. Artisan Network, through its Studio Source division, builds and operates online stores for high-profile Internet sites to offer art-related merchandise. Studio Source handles all of the technology, customer service and physical distribution.
With Artisan Network`s acquisition of iTheo.com, Studio Source can offer its partners the opportunity to sell high-quality original art. ''It`s a win-win situation,'' adds Cunha. ''Artists have broader exposure of their work, and Studio Source partners have greater revenue opportunity by selling artwork.''
In addition to Studio Source and
iTheo.com, Artisan Network has several other properties, including MisterArt.com
(www.misterart.com), the world`s largest online discount art supply store, and ArtAffinity.com
(www.artaffinity.com ), the comprehensive community and information resource for the art world.
Last month, both MisterArt.com and iTheo.com were featured by The Artist`s Magazine as ''Hot Sites for Artists.'' Today, both sites are part of the same company.
''The addition of Artisan Network`s artist-specific alliances and services further strengthens iTheo.com`s commitment to helping artists market their works to a global audience,'' said Akash Agarwal, iTheo.com president and co-founder. ''By allowing Studio Source partners to sell artwork, Artisan Network has created a new channel to help emerging artists gain more exposure and build their businesses.''
iTheo.com features painting, photography, ceramics, glass, sculpture, drawing and prints. The site delivers business and personal resources - from marketing and supplies to business and health insurance - directly to the artist`s desktop. Artists can also utilize a comprehensive messaging center to build and maintain their contacts and communicate directly with new and existing customers. Exhibiting art and the use of iTheo.com`s services is free to artists.
About iTheo.com
iTheo.com is the first online marketplace focused on addressing artists` needs and offering a wide range of services to artists and buyers. Inspired by Theo van Gogh, who supported his brother, Vincent and hundreds of artists throughout his life, iTheo addresses the problems that artists encounter in marketing their works to a global audience. The company has partnered with leading e-commerce companies to provide a full range of artist services. Based in San Francisco, iTheo.com is backed by Silicon Valley investors.
About Artisan Network
Artisan Network is the leading online provider of art-related commerce, content and community. Artisan Network`s properties include Studio Source, which builds and operates online art stores for a wide variety of Internet sites;
iTheo.com, an online marketplace that showcases approximately 10,000 original works of art from today`s emerging artists;
MisterArt.com, the world`s largest online discount art supply store; and
ArtAffinity.com, the comprehensive community and information resource for the art world.
Terms of the acquisition remain proprietary.
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