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Art for the Soul
Category: Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries Shopping Art Galleries Art Galleries [Edit]
210 Marine AveSte A
Newport Beach, CA 92662
(949) 673-1722
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
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16 reviews for Art for the Soul
16 reviews in English
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Review from Donald S.
12/13/2011
Marine Avenue on Balboa Island is a 250 yard long boulevard of contradictions.
There are 200 boutiques, teeny-tiny little restaurants, candle shops, candy shops, toy stores that still sell "Etch-a-Sketch" (official motto - "Etch-a-Sketch, for when you can't afford to get little Johnny an iPad") and the Original Frozen Banana shops (I think there are 7 of them, all professing to be "The Original" and all of them ready to tell you how Disneyland makes an inferior banana...so passionate!).
There are art galleries and tchotchke stores that bill themselves as art galleries.
There's a lovely little Catholic Chapel, St. John's Vianney, nestled between one of the frozen banana emporiums and a boutique for 60 year old women trying to look 29 again (and really, what better place for quiet prayer and reflection).
Some of it is really quite good...some of it not so much...all of it is...different.
On any given day, you'll see island residents wandering into the Hershey's on the corner in search of a reasonably priced take out sandwich, tourists (and they are legion) wandering in and out of every store and into and out of Marine Avenue itself (when you're navigating your County Class Range Rover through here, you'd better keep a sharp eye out for flatlanders stepping off the curb and into traffic in an effort to get directly across the street for some of that salt water taffy they've been hearing so much about).
Frankly, I'm as much in favor of taking out the occasional tourist as the next NPB resident, but the resulting blemish on your insurance could cost you dearly for several years to come!
At any rate, friends from Scottsdale were in for a visit this weekend and we made the obligatory pilgrimage to the Beachcomber for Brunch (Look at the dolphins...they're so close they almost splashed on my Benedict!...I can smell blowhole breath!) and then we took them on a little tour of Coastal OC, ending up on Balboa Island.
So we were much like the aforementioned tourists (that I was a little unkind to a paragraph or so ago).
Although, being newly minted Coastal OC natives, we know better than to step off the curb in front of "Senior Barbie's" Bentley...money is its own "Right of Way" in Newport Beach.
After getting some candy at Too Sweet and passing up numerous opportunities to get a frozen banana, we found ourselves at Art for the Soul.
If you ever wanted something a little eclectic and offbeat for gifting, standing in a corner or putting in the reading rack to show everybody that you're not "that old and stuffy" yet, this would be your place.
They sell some interesting (and not terribly expensive) original and semi-original art work ("so where exactly are you going to hang that guitar made from riveted together license plates?"), as well as offbeat books, knick-knacks and tchotchkes that can keep you giggling and entertain you for upwards of several minutes!
If you are in the market for a pithy and profound comment that is engraved on a river rock...this is the spot to make your purchase!
The Beautiful Carin and I bought our granddaughter a delightful children's book entitled "Go the F**k to Sleep", a book that captures everything I remember about raising children!
From my Yelp buddy, Lica N. - http://tinyurl.com/bws...
We also picked up a lovely little piece of art for ourselves (to fill an old frame that was just aching for some color).
And we got out of there for under $50 US money (try that in one of your hoity-toity Laguna Beach or Scottsdale Art Galleries)!
We even had enough money left over for a frozen banana!Listed in: It's not always about food!, The Story of "O" C!
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Review from Doug R.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2011
Walked in last Sunday and was having a nice perusing experience then...
Me: What is the name of the artist?
Staff: It's Aaron *dismissively*
Me: Does Aaron have a last name or just go by Aaron?
Staff: He just goes by Aaron
Me: So if I Google "Aaron", I'll be able to find him?
Staff: Well you can't buy from him directly so don't bother
Overall, I thought this was a really cool shop but the one male staff member that I talked to was incredibly rude when I asked for more information. Even glared at me on my exit even after I bought a book from the store.
Sorry for asking the name of the artist, bro! I was actually considering buying a piece. For the record, the artist name is Aaron Foster, not just Aaron: http://www.aaronfoster.../ -
Review from Patrick I.
Westminster, CA
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small business on Balboa Island. Really aiming to be unique and high end. Its a little stand offish, no one greeted a group of 4 of us and didnt bother to show us any unique items.
the prices were ridiculous on some of the items- $10 for a 3x5 picture of letters A TO Z , $89 on matted prints. I get youre trying to be trendy and that the price reflects the time gone into the work but at the same time make it affordable for all budgets? -
Review from Anastacia S.
New York, NY
10/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is fantastic! I LOVED all the unique art and ended up buying some of the most fantastic pieces for my home. They ship anywhere so if you live outside California that means no sales tax! For what you're purchasing the prices are in line, it's handmade art deco items, not something you will find at IKEA. I've already gone to the website to order gifts for friends, I am that big of a fan! And incredibly nice staff, they understand most people are just there to check out the cool pieces so there is no pressure to buy and they seem to encourage people coming in to just browse.
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Review from Cass H.
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a neat little store that's perfect (for females) to find a great little birthday/hostess/etc. gift for someone when you have NO IDEAS. It's funky and unique. Has a lot of cute little items that would be great for gifts. Items can be pretty expensive, but they also have things on the less expensive side. I personally like all the little quote books they have in store (that run about $15 each). Cute and good gift idea!
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Review from Paul B.
San Jose, CA
9/5/2011
Do not shop here. Worst customer service policies I've ever experienced. They made me buy a clock that my sleeve only touched while walking past because it fell from the little nail it hung from. I've never been treated so coarsely. Don't allow this to continue by shopping there. 272 Forest location Laguna Beach
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Review from Tim h.
Newport Beach, CA
10/17/2011
One of my all time favorite places to shop! I always bring out of towners here. The stuff that is carried here is about as unique as it gets here in Orange county. Located on the quaint little beach community of Balboa Island which is great for walking and browsing. This shop stands out! Tons of bright colors draw you in! Tons of great crafted! When I went there was a great girl I spoke with who I found out was the manager and she was super knowledgeable about everything I asked her, and really seemed to love her job. The customers were well attended too...it was a weekday so there wasn't many of us....but we each were chatted with. Its not a high pressure sale type of environment , which I really enjoyed.
Christmas is coming up and I already have a few things picked out from here!! Give this place a try, you will be happy you did! -
Review from samantha s.
Tempe, AZ
9/29/2011
I love this store. I have bought my fun clocks for my home here, the only thing is I would buy many more items but it's to expensive. I understand that it is in a very trendy area with lots of tourists. Yet, It is out of reach for many locals and when the tourists leave who do you have left but the people that live here.
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Review from Anita L.
11/13/2006
Funky, individualistic, unique artsy things ranging from cabinets to books and more.
There were so many colorful things in there which are just perfect for gifts. In fact, a few of the mirrors caught our eye but we had no way of transporting them home today so we didn't consider it at all. Many of the pieces had words of wisdom or fun sayings women would like so if you're searching for the perfect gift for a sister, a soul sister or even, the girlfriend with EVERYTHING, there is definitely something in here for her.
Of course there are things guys would like too, so there is definitely something for everyone, but it's definitely a funky sort of style and probably not to everyone's taste! -
Review from Jen G.
2/18/2011
Loved it! Super cool place with original, funky, art pieces. I felt like I was walking into a room where a rainbow had just exploded, in the most well appointed manner possible. Crafty frames, notecards, stationery, jewelry boxes, handbags, and wall art. Huuge area in the back filled with art created out of cut up license plates was my favorite. The prices are relatively high, so don't go swinging your backpack around! After reading some of the notes next to the products, it seems like most of the stuff in here takes at least a few months to make.
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Review from J B.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/15/2010
Funky, wonderful art and the like!
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Review from Nancy L.
Philadelphia, PA
3/11/2010
This is a funky, eclectic store with an array of creative knick knacks and a fantastic place to find something unique. I had a great time getting lost among their collection of crafts, frames, inspiring quotations, placards, and jewelry.
My favorite is their selection of stationary. Sadly, letter writing is a forgotten art. But I love writing to my friends now that we're all scattered across the country, and I'm always on the lookout for interesting cards. I could have spent hours in this section of the store alone. They have beautiful handmade cards with intricate designs and sayings. -
Review from Carrie M.
Irvine, CA
7/28/2010
I love this store. It's fun to shop, browse or just talk with the cashier about all the stuff they carry. I love the key chain charms and bought all my friends one for Christmas.
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Review from Emily B.
Huntington Beach, CA
7/18/2010
Such a great place to buy a gift. Really unique and beautiful findings, perfect for shopping for someone special. Its a really fun store to browse and the staff is super friendly.
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Review from Linda R.
Laguna Beach, CA
10/8/2009
I LOVE THIS STORE! It is inspiring! The first time I wandered into the store, I actually cried...it was so lovely and joyful. There are amazing and unique items. I bought a mirror and Lazy Susan that had inspirational sayings on them and the beauty and quality of the items are second to none. They have gifts of all types and prices and many of the items are made by local artists. The ladies that work in the store are patient and sweet...I took a couple of hours deciding on the which mirror and which Lazy Susan would be perfect and the sweet woman who helped me was kind and accomodating. Going to Art for the Soul is a magical experience.
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Review from jeff l.
Laguna Niguel, CA
10/28/2010
this used to be my favorite place to visit when in Laguna. Over the past few years they resorted to selling many items made in china and other cheap import countries. Still a fun place but no where near the quality or interest they used to be.
