“I’m in awe of artists. They make something out of nothing, literally pull it from God knows where. It’s the only, outside of a mother – it’s like giving birth.”

That’s a refreshing statement to hear from AJ Shoham, the co-owner of Jerry’s Artarama of CT, the West Hartford store AJ’s father opened in 1993. This is also nice to hear: “I love our customers and I want them to have their voices heard.”

Another sort of person may see the store as just business. For Shoham, it’s a hub and a home.

Shoham started working at the store when he was 15. He’s now in his 40s. Considering how many years he’s worked at the store, which is independent from the national chain of the same name, Shoham has intimate insights into our area’s art scene.

“It’s different than I’ve experienced elsewhere,” he said, citing the community’s singular comradery. “Artists are all out and involved in shows, getting their own works up, but I don’t get the sense that it’s a forced morality. Like, ‘Oh, I can’t be cutthroat.’ Everyone’s ambitious, but it’s not ‘me or them’.”

Jerry’s Artarama of CT is driven by a similar communal spirit: they donate prizes and support juried awards and local art programs, including Central Connecticut State University, the Hartford Art School, and the New Hartford Artisans Guild.

“Passing things on to me, my dad impressed upon me to be supportive and plugged in and keep up with the donations. It was important to him and I see why. For us to be able to do that, it feels good.”

For all the years he’s been in this business, Shoham was caught off guard by recent tariffs. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Luckily, the impact has been minimal: “Customers are more strategic in buying their materials,” he said. “Our customer count is even or higher, but the average ticket, that’s what changed.”

Regardless of what happens, Shoham has absolute faith artists everywhere will adapt, pivot, and continue doing their thing. “Humans have been doing these things since the beginning of time: making noise or making a mark – making something from nothing. Humans can be amazing.” 

Awesome, even.