FLAX Blog

Our Oakland store is Closed (our last day was Saturday, March 28). Announcement - March 24, 2026 Dear Oakland Artists and Valued Customers,   This is our final week in Oakland. Our last day with our doors open to you is this Saturday.   We've really enjoyed our time here, and there have been some good times! We hosted quite a few events, with Kidsfest, Pen Faire, the Print Fair, and our 80th and 85th anniversary celebrations. Over the years we've gotten to know so many of you, friendl …

May 1, 1933 - November 6, 2023 Philip Leon Flax, whose life reflected the art that he supported, died on November 6th, in Santa Rosa, California. His beloved wife of 65 years, Toby, was at his side. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey to Sylvia and Herman Flax, he was the youngest child with two older siblings, Jerry and Lita. When he was three, the family traveled West to settle in San Francisco. Upon graduation from Lowell High he enlisted in the army, being called back for the untimely de …

From all of us at FLAX, we wish you a Happy New Year! Among our staff we have over 250 years of combined experience in the art supply industry. We look forward to serving you in 2023. This year we'll be celebrating our 85th anniversary!

In our Artist Employee Spotlight series, we are highlighting the diverse and exceptional talent here at FLAX art & design. Meet Stan Chan, who grew up in East Oakland. A life long artist, Stan is participating in an exhibition, Stories From My Mother’s House. It is a curated show featuring artifacts, drawings, and writings on his childhood memories, family gossips, and everyday stories. His parents were able to buy a house in the 1950’s and each plexiglass-wooden box con …

We are please to present the latest mural on our Oakland building, a collaboration between Matt Floriani and Three Thirty Three Arts. The mural is titled Living Decay, and Matt says "this mural was created for the sole purpose of bringing vibrancy and connection to the neighborhood, and to connect people through conversations via the arts. The mural depicts growth and decay as an endless process of life." …