The Tole Shop Celebrates 25 Years
 of Business in Catlin Court

 

By Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

 

Congratulations to Carolyn Gimplowitz and to the Tole Shop!.  Carolyn Gimplowitz has owned the Tole Shop, 5748 W. Palmaire Avenue, Glendale, AZ, since 1987.  She studied tole painting under the guidance of Martha Campbell (Spicery in Our 1895 Home).  Carolyn fell in love with the painting style, so much so, that when the opportunity to purchase the business from Martha Campbell, Carolyn did so.  After learning and then owning the business for twenty-five years, she does not plan to retire. 

 

Tole is the French word for "tin".  In the 1700s plain tins and boxes were thought to be unattractive to many.  To improve and personalize these positions, they were decorated with patterns and images painted with oil colors.  Acrylic paint is used today.  This form of folk art is decorative and started in New England.  German immigrants continued the craft.  Immigrants from other countries (Danes and Swedes, for example) have similar styles of painting.

 

Tins or cans, a wooden hope chest or a toy box, or perhaps a coffee or a t ea pot could be made more valuable, visually certainly, and more endearing if the object was a gift.   

 

Typically, the background for the paintings was back.  If and when a new owner came along for the piece, it could be sanded and repainted and new images painted to make the piece "new again".

 

Like any art form, no two pieces painted in the tole style are exactly alike.  They maybe quite close if painted by a master craftsman; but it is the individual uniqueness that makes each piece special.

 

For more information about classes or art supplies available at the Tole Shop, please visit the address above, or call 623-937-7561.  You can visit the shop via the web at http://www.thetoleshop.com/.

 

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 6604.

Two friends who shared the love of heritage folk art, tole painting, Carolyn Gimplowitz and Martha Campbell.  The ongoing efforts of these two women have really made the Historic Catlin Court in Downtown Glendale successful.  They are a major part of the history of the area and why Catlin Court exists today.  Being in business for 25 years is something to celebrate.

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 6572.

Classes are available at the Tole Shop.  Prices vary, depending on the class.
Lori Carbajal is instructing Saturday's class on Frosty Fellows.

 

Bette Sharpe/ Glendale Daily Planet no. 1131.

Debbie Graber started painting before she did tole painting.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1132.

Barbara Gunter and Cindy Wilt (blue) are two happy painters from Buckeye, Arizona.  They make the trip a couple of times a month to attend classes at the Tole Shop in Catlin Court.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1078.

Dee Dee Garrett works on one of three of the Frosty Fellows. 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet. no. 1087.

Carolyn Gimplowitz and the Tole Shop celebrate 25 years in business.  

 

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1093.

Art supplies--paint, brushes, and patterns are available for purchase.

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1115.

Tole painted art work.

 

 

 

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 Location

Located in historic downtown Glendale in the Catlin Court district, we're easily accessible from I-10, I-17 and the Loop. And we're just a short distance away from University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena and Westgate City Center.

5745 W. Palmaire Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301