Fifty Years of Creativity: The Drawing Board Celebrates a Milestone

In 1975, The Drawing Board opened its doors in downtown Montpelier with a simple but powerful mission: to provide high-quality art supplies and services to Central Vermont’s creative community. Fifty years later, that mission is still alive and thriving thanks to the passion and perseverance of owner Liz Walsh and the generations who came before her.
 

(Ray Brown, pictured in The Drawing Board early 1980s)

“We’ve been through a lot in the past five years,” Liz shares. “There were moments I didn’t think we’d make it to 50. But here we are!”

To mark this golden anniversary, The Drawing Board is inviting the community to a special celebration during Montpelier Art Walk on Friday, June 6th, from 4–8 PM. Expect snacks, mocktails, raffles, a community art project, and a 6 PM toast with the former owners. The party continues on Saturday, June 7th with a customer appreciation sale, including a free sketchbook with purchases over $50 and more chances to join in the community art-making.

Over the years, the tools have changed, from hand-cutting mats to computer-aided design, but the heart of The Drawing Board has stayed the same. “The products evolve, but watercolors and oils are still here. Our goal has always been to support creativity in this community.”

That commitment deepened after the 2023 flood, when Liz expanded the business to include The Print Shop. “We’d been referring customers back and forth for years,” she says. “When the flood forced the print shop to close, it just felt right to bring it into the fold.” Now customers can scan slides, print projects, and even pick up hard-to-find drafting tools all under one roof.

When asked what has kept The Drawing Board going through the decades, Liz doesn’t hesitate. “Keep going. That’s been the philosophy. Each generation has brought their own energy and ideas to the shop, but the spirit of this place remains the same.”

As Montpelier’s art scene has grown and changed, The Drawing Board has remained a cornerstone. “Not every community can support an art store,” Liz notes. “But here, it’s a symbiotic relationship, we inspire art, and the artists support us. And you just can’t smell the erasers or feel the paper online.”