Cass Art is on a mission. A mission to fill every town with artists, underpinned by the company’s long standing manifesto. Cass Art is committed to encouraging everyone to realise their creative talents by providing the world’s top quality materials at the guaranteed best prices.
Cass Art not only partners with some of the leading art brands, galleries, organisations and institutions across the UK, including Sky Arts, the National Portrait Gallery, the Mayor of London 4th Plinth Schools Awards, University of the Arts London, The National Saturday Club, The Other Art Fair and many more, it also works with local galleries and supports community art projects.
Cass Art believes in art. We know the freedom and creative pleasure it brings. So we want everyone to realise they can do it - and afford it.
BEST MATERIALS
Artists need the choice of all the best materials. We stock the top brands from around the world, as favoured by the UK's artists.
BEST PRICES
We negotiate directly with all the famous suppliers.
They help us, so we can help you. That's why our prices are as low as they can go.
OUR SHOP
The space is designed to help you and inspire you. Materials are organised and displayed just the way you want them. The effect is thoughtful and contemporary.
OUR PEOPLE
Our staff are artists. They know art. They enjoy working with what they know. They give you intelligent and thoughtful advice - no bluffing, no hidden agenda.
OUR NATION
We established our first shop next to the National Gallery in 1984 and remain independently owned. For over 30 years we have been on a mission to fill this country (its cities, towns and villages) with artists.
OUR CEO & FOUNDER
MARK CASS
Mark Cass, CEO and Founder, is a trustee of the Cass Sculpture Foundation, a British charity devoted to the promotion of 21st British sculpture through public commissions and exhibitions. His family have been involved in art over many generations – his great uncle, Paul Cassirer, was an important art dealer in the 1920s and was a promoter of the Impressionist movement in Europe.
The Cass Art family have been actively involved in the art world and supporting artists for over 100 years. It is the tradition of creative entrepreneurship and the close relationships built with many famous artists over the years that has made Cass Art what it is today. It inspired our mission to help “Fill this town with artists”, making art available to the widest possible audience. This shows in everything we do, from our support of art education to our price guarantee. This is an insight into the journey that made us who we are today.
Illustrations by Nina Cosford.
1901
Paul Cassirer holds one of Europe’s first exhibitions of Van Gogh’s work in Berlin.
Paul buys nine Van Gogh artworks, which include the “Sunflowers” for just £110!
1904
Paul and Bruno Cassirer actively support the Berlin secession.
1938
Bruno Cassirer opens his art publishing house in Oxford. Bruno’s original publishing house in Berlin is one of the first to produce fully illustrated artist’s books.
1971
Wilfred Cass, great nephew of Bruno becomes CEO of Reeves, the paint manufacturer. Reeves has been providing artists with quality paint since 1766.
1979
Mark Cass and his father Wilfred set up Image Bank and work with internationally renowned photographers to create the world’s largest image library.
1984
Mark Cass sets up the first Cass Art shop at 13 Charing Cross Road in London. Set in the perfect location next to the National Gallery, there has been an art shop here for over 100 years. Claude Monet was one of the many famous visitors.
1992
Wilfred and Jeannette Cass establish the Cass Sculpture Foundation, a british charity supporting contemporary sculpturs. The Foundation has commissioned over 450 large scale sculptures over last 25 years.
1994
The Cass Sculpture Foundaton enables the first three commissions on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square investing in unique public platforms for artists. Cass Art supports the Mayor of London's 4th plinth school’s competition each year.
2001
Cass Art works with Angus Hyland at Pentagram on a new Brand Identity. The new identity is focused around an inclusive manifesto and mission.
2001
Cass Art starts to develop a range of award-winning contemporary own brand products.
2002
The Cass Sculpture Foundation holds a unique collection of maquettes to exhibit. “Thinking Big” at the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice - it was the first exhibition of this kind outside the UK.
2006
The London flagship store opens in Islington and now has a dedicated Art Space for the public and employees to use for free.
2008
Cass Art is a passionate supporter of art education, running workshops and lectures from artists like Bob & Roberta Smith.
2013
Eric and Jean Cass, who spent 50 years collecting contemporary art, donate 300 pieces from their collection to museums across the UK.
2013
In 2013 Cass Art opens its online store making it accessible to all across the UK.
2014
Cass Art opens its first store outside of London, in Glasgow. Closely followed by Bristol later that year.
2015-2017
Continuing the mission to fill more towns with Artists - Cass Art regional stores open in Liverpool, Birmingham, Brighton & Manchester.
2019
Cass Art opens a concession store within Blackwell's Bookshop in Edinburgh.
2019
Cass Art opens an experience pop-up store in Selfridges Flagship store on London's Oxford St as part of their 'State of the Arts' campaign.
2022
www.cassart.co.uk re-launches with a new more modern shopping experience for all customers.
MAKING A MARK
CASS ART x PENTAGRAM
Brand Day London brought leading agencies and brands together on stage for a journey into the challenges and opportunities of brand building in the modern age, with practical insights and inspiring case studies.
Mark Cass, Founder & CEO Cass Art and Angus Hyland, Partner at Pentagram, discuss the evolution of the Cass Art brand over time.
