The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI) is an international association, composed of a diverse and involved membership, and is recognized as the leading authority on art and creative materials.  Founded in 1936, ACMI was organized to assist its members in providing the public with art and creative materials for children and artists that are non-toxic.  The Institute’s members are art and creative material manufacturers, and currently there are over 210 members.  Of the 60,000 art and creative material formulations evaluated to date, 100% of the children’s products and 85% of those meant for the adult artist are certified as non-toxic.  All products in the program undergo extensive toxicological evaluation and testing before they are granted the right to bear the ACMI certification seals.

ACMI is dedicated to providing leadership, guidance and education to individuals, organizations, and society in general to achieve greater participation in art and creative related activities.

The new AP (Approved Product) Seal, with or without Performance Certification, identifies art materials that are safe and that are certified in a toxicological evaluation by a medical expert to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems.  This seal is currently replacing the previous non-toxic seals:  CP (Certified Product), AP (Approved Product), and HL Health Label (Non-Toxic) over a 10-year phase-in period.  Such products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236, and the U. S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). Additionally, products bearing the AP Seal with Performance Certification or the CP Seal are certified to meet specific requirements of material, workmanship, working qualities, and color developed by ACMI and others through recognized standards organizations, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).  Some products cannot attain this performance certification because no quality standard currently exists for certain types of products.

We met lots of new friends and traded many exciting ideas. Doug did a demo on a few of our products and Doug’s techniques in using them. There was lots of excitement about the new possibilities for artists adapting Powertex, Magic Sculpt, and Metal Effects to their own world of creations.

Thanks Houston area for a fun weekend!

They are designed to protect your valuable artwork during, packing,  transport, and storage. Easy to store filled or empty.

Biyomap art portfolios are for protecting, carrying, and presenting finished works of art. Protect your work and show your pride in quality for your client presentations. Great for packing for and traveling to and from shows.

Biyomap is an easy, safe and perfectly reusable time saving packaging for paintings. Packing and unpacking is simple. Biyomap is a classy solution that ensures maximum protection.

• Waterproof (yet breathable), fireproof and scratch proof.
• Space saving dust- free protection during storage and transport
• Provided with a transparent A4 folder for storing valuable information.
• Reusable, so it saves money.
• Your contribution to waste reduction.
• Made from recycled materials and equipped with green label.
• Packing and unpacking is simple.
• The ideal replacement for environmentally harmful plastic bubble wrap.

BIYOMAP art portfolios are available in various sizes that are easily distinguishable by a colored border. Yellow, red, white, grey, and

Doug will be doing a 3 hour demo on Friday night and be around Saturday to answer questions about his technique and the amazing products he uses available at Artplace.com.

The Lone Star Art Guild is a non-profit organization which was started in Brenham, Texas on April 17, 1961. It is made up of any art leagues that wish to be a member within a 200 mile radius of Houston, Texas. The object of the guild is to advance the study and dissemination of fine art in all of its forms by promoting the appreciation of art and fine craftsmanship through workshops, lectures, demonstrations and exhibits.

Each member league usually has monthly meetings with demonstrating artists that is open to all LSAG members. There are also numerous workshops put on as well to encourage your artistic ability and maybe stimulate you to try another medium.

Each member league sponsors at least one juried show during the year that is run according to the Lone Star Art Guild rules. All leagues may participate in any of the shows of the other league’s shows that are declared open.

At the end of the year, usually on the third Saturday in May, one or more of the leagues hosts a Convention. The Convention consists of artwork that has won an award at any of the Lone Star Art Guild member league shows throughout the year