Image Arts Etc. And Art.com Form Clicks-And-Bricks Partnership

Image Arts Etc., a rapidly growing Retail franchise utilizing digital technology to combine frame shop, portrait studio, and art gallery under one roof - and Art.com, the premier online art retailer, announced a clicks-and-bricks partnership giving Image Arts Etc. customers access to fine art reproductions, while expanding Art.com distribution into brick-and-mortar stores.

Under the agreement, print and canvas reproductions of best-selling artworks by Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat and others will be offered in the Art.com Classics gallery, available beginning this November at Image Arts Etc. Digital Imaging Centers. In the future, these canvas reproductions will also be available online at Art.com. Future plans also call for Image Arts Etc. to offer classic black-and-white photographs from The Hulton Getty Collection, the definitive photo archive of the 20th century. Art.com and Hulton Getty are both owned by Getty Images. The agreement includes a fulfillment provision under which Image Arts Etc. will utilize proprietary technology to provide fine art reproductions on canvas for Art.com customers.

"This partnership will drive online customers into Image Arts Etc. Franchise outlets and retail customers online to Art.com, creating new revenue streams for both partners," said Anthony DeSio, co-founder of Mail Boxes Etc. and Image Arts Etc. "Providing products and services to Internet customers helps Image Arts Etc. transcend our traditional brick and mortar store to the next level of franchising."

"We have built the top art e-brand in the world today, but clicks and bricks is an important part of our strategy going forward," said John Hallberg, president of Art.com. "We are proud to partner with Image Arts Etc., a retailer that clearly will be a digital printing leader from its physical locations."

Image Arts Etc. is the brainchild of Anthony DeSio, the entrepreneur who built Mail Boxes Etc. into one of the world's most successful franchises. Founded in San Diego in 1999, Image Arts Etc. Digital Imaging Centers specialize in portrait photography, photo restoration, fine arts reproduction, framing, signs and posters. Image Arts Etc. also converts photos into digital prints on canvas, fabric and other materials. The franchise network currently numbers 26 stores in 14 states, including locations scheduled to open soon in Las Vegas, Denver, Richmond, Miami, Scottsdale, Knoxville, King of Prussia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Art.com is a distinctive combination of commerce, content and community, a simple yet sophisticated e-commerce destination to shop and learn about art. Art.com offers some of the world's greatest works of art, including prints, photographs, and art-inspired gifts. In addition to its expansive galleries, Art.com offers personalized product choices, a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee, a "Learn About Art" Library, and online custom matting and framing. Award-winning Art.com is the consumer brand of Getty Images, Inc., the leading e-commerce provider of imagery to professional and consumer markets.