Klopfenstein CE100 Collegiate Steel Art Easel

In the mid-1950’s the brothers, James and William Klopfenstein, were students at Ohio State University who shared a creative bent, a natural engineering talent, and a father who just happened to own a machine and metal fabricating shop. This unique combination of interests, talent, and technology needed but a spark to flash into life as a small art equipment manufacturing company. That spark was to come from one of the brothers’ art professors who one day remarked that, ”If someone could develop a ruggedly constructed steel easel, built to last, and be simple yet versatile – then they would have the makings of a successful business.”

The brothers took this comment to heart and, working from their father’s shop, they began building prototypes of a revolutionary steel art easel. Each prototype was “classroom” tested and evaluated by art students and professors at Ohio State. After much testing, modification and improvement, the brothers felt satisfied with their design and began the business of manufacturing and selling the most innovative and ultra-functional artist’s easel ever conceived and rendered in rigid steel tubing.

By December of 1999 the brothers were ready for retirement, and the business was purchased by Jeff Penny, who having recently sold his plastics fabricating business was also ready for a new business challenge. Early in 2000, Stan Butler joined the business as production manager and Jeff’s business partner. Today Jeff and Stan continue, in the best traditions of the Klopfenstein brothers, to produce innovative, “built to last” art equipment products designed and manufactured especially for art professionals and art students. Their product offerings have grown from that original easel to their current array of easels, drawing tables, drawing benches, taborets, and various attachable accessories developed to provide extended functionality to their easels and art benches.

Using heavy gauge steel tubing their dedicated production crew form, machine, weld, paint, and assemble each product in Lexington, Ohio. By producing their equipment entirely in house they ensure their ability to control quality and build over-achieving products that consistently surpass artists’ expectations of performance and durability.