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Category: Art Supplies [Edit]
Neighborhood: University DistrictMon-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
"This is one place we always look forward to going to when we visit Seattle. We went here twice during our recent weeklong visit. Fabulous…" read more »
I love this place, and don't go very often or I would be a much more starving artist then I already am.
They have great canvas selection, good sales, and a WIDE variety of...THINGS. Arts and crafts? Sure. Fine art supplies? You bet. Research material? Gotcha. And their staff is knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly as all get-out. (even on the PHONE!)
I think most people love the prices because if you're used to places like Daniel Smith's, this store gives you that rush of **LOOOOOK at my receipt! LOOK at how long it is! For so little MOOONEY!!!!**
I have learned to schedule my trips here around "not the first week of school"...when battling the parents of the "oh-so-bershon-I-can't-believe-she-just-said-that" freshmen for a place in line can make you want to find a dark corner of a tea-house, chain-smoke and sketch the poets until you don't want to smack anymore.
This is by far my favorite Arts Supply store in the city. their canvas is the cheapest prices and they have all sorts of new things to try and classes. If you don't know what something is, someone can tell you. You'll be inspired to try something new! Great for idea generation or just to kill time on a Saturday afternoon.
This is the best art store ever! Great selection and nice staff :)
I appreciate good service, I also appreciate selection. Artist and Craftsman supplies me with both! I am an art student, and I spend a lot of money on supplies every quarter, and there are a number of options in the area for me to spend my money at, but I am a loyal customer to A&C. I am always treated well, the staff is always helpful and friendly, and I never run out of things to look at and drool over (note- you might want to bring a hankie if you are prone to drooling over art supplies). In a world where you can buy anything online, it's places like this that make retail enjoyable. They are well worth visiting if you have any needs or questions in the art-related fields.
Basically:
A&C = U Bookstore - (books + rebate + location)
I spent almost four years as a painting student at UW with everyone talking my ear off about how great this place is. So it was with some degree of shame that I finally walked in there, expecting to kick myself for not reaping all the bargain rewards earlier. Unfortunately (or, I guess fortunately for ME), that didn't happen. As far as painting and printmaking supplies go, the selection isn't terribly expansive and the prices are the same as the dreaded U Bookstore. In fact - and feel free throw things at me if you want - the U Bookstore is a better deal, considering they give you a 10% rebate at the end of the year.
I will give A&C three stars for an extremely friendly, helpful staff and the fact that they sell Williamsburg paints. I'd probably join the throng of enthusiasts below me if this store's prices were as exceptional as they were made out to be. If this store's location is convenient for you, there's probably no reason to go anywhere else. For me, it's not worth the bus transfers.
Thank you for always being there in my time of need.
Great selection, no one bothers me, but are very helpful if i have questions. It is very convenient, and always get what i need. You guys have some amazing little secrets too that i always find...yay for fun goodies!
I love you!
I always wander in here.
I always find what I need, and exactly what I didn't KNOW I needed. (I use "need" loosely)
I love their canvas shop. I CAN stretch my own canvases, I just don't WANT to, and THAT'S okay!
Great selection, helpful, but not pushy or acting like you are in the store and therefore must be stealing staff, and the location is pretty darn convenient.
Prices? I dunno, it seems like all art supplies are expensive, so what do a few cents matter?
If you are not feeling Utrecht, which I am not, you should come here, and prepare to be a lot broker when you leave (because you will have found so much cool stuff!).
If you make art, or know someone who digs on art, or uhm... have HEARD of art, you'll want to go here. Not only does it have about a hojillion supplies for just about everything (beading being the singular exception, but there are separate stores for that, so no big whoop), the items are good quality, and excellently priced. I strolled in for tempera paints and ended up leaving with felt, feathers, wire, paintbrushes, and very nearly a giraffe mask (which I should've bought because hey, $3.50 for an awesome giraffe mask is NOT the sort of thing you see just ANYWHERE, mister). When my poor 5'4" frame couldn't reach something, the guy at the counter was not only happy to get it for me, he was happy to GET A LADDER to get it down from the top shelf for me!
I've seen art stores that will charge you through the nose for average products, and have a crappy selection. THIS IS NOT THAT STORE. The only warning I give to you, ladies and gents, about going to this store, is that you will likely leave with way more rad stuff than you originally came for. Which isn't really all that bad a thing anyway, really.
I am a huge fan of A& C - It's convenient, free parking, they have a huge stash of great stuff and oddments also - Not such a "marketers salon" look which I love. It encourages you to dig through stuff.
Staff is helpful and yet not shadowing.
Love Love Love it!
I spend way to much cash at this joint. U will too!
Ok all. I've been bad. I know. I've barely reviewed anything of late. But this place has inspired me to tell you all. To tell you all of its pure mindblowingness (and yes, I make up words- a lot, some call it quirky.. I call it endearingness.)
All pray to this artist MECCA. Worship its painted exterior and kiss its cool painted concrete floors. I was immediately drawn to this place like Elmer Fudd would be drawn to a wabbit hunting store. It wouldn't suprise me if this place used Acme as a vendor, although you won't find outlandish and downright dangerous products that failed catastrophically at the worst possible times here. You'll only find arty/crafty goodi goodi gum drops that will release your inner artiste and/or simply make you artisticer than you already are.
I mean I almost did a cart-wheel-ack-arrest when I found the following items one after another: full sheets of magnetic paper, blank puzzles for me to paint on, all the molding gels I could ever dream of, Mr.Smelly markers from my chilhood, a whole room of canvas, and a 10 pc set of Conte portrait colors. For those of you who don't know what Conte is, Wikepedia says they "are a drawing medium composed of compressed powdered graphite or charcoal mixed with a wax or clay base." I say Conte is awesome McPossum and I ran home to use them to create very realistic skin tones on all my drawings.
So in conclusion: If you are an artist and/or not an artist or even a wombat that wants to get down and craftsterbate. A&C is the Mecca of all art places and should be visited in the near future. I promise it will speak to your originable, rocktacular, and funktastic mind.
This is the best art store in Seattle. It's independent, affordable, and has never disappointed me when I've gone there specifically looking for something (which is usually why I end up here).
Check out the entire backside of the store, where you can find HUGE canvases at GREAT prices. And shadow boxes. Oh my god, SHADOW BOXES. I won't have to make the trek down to Renton to get those anymore.
There is always some kind of sale going on here, and I usually go for it. You should too.
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Mmmmmm, paint...
... and canvas, brushes, paper, glitter, pens, markers, pastels, thinners, oils, mediums, palettes, paint knives, so on and so forth.
Every time I walk in, I think I've died and gone to heaven, but that may just be the fumes.
If you can make art with it, A&C sells it. Prices are fair and the sales staff knows their stuff; unlike many craft supply stores you can ask someone at A&C a question and expect an answer which does not consist of "I dunno about that fancy medium stuff, I just paint miniature birdhouses." This fact in and of itself has ruined me for all other arts & crafts stores.
Free parking, too, in the lot across the street.
I used to work there. I have a very colorful and crazy history with that company including a firing, rehiring and all kinds of wacky things. I know many of the reviewers. I recognized myself in many of the nice things said about their experience at Artist & Craftsman Supply. More importantly, the nice things are still being said after my departure...
The folks of A&C care about what they are doing. I am still a customer and as a customer I am still tickled with the whole place. It has what artists and art students need and always has some crazy close-out deal on something.
This is the best art store anywhere in the state of Washington. There are good ones in Vancouver BC and in Portland, OR.... but this place is the real deal. Give them your business, I (still) do.
Great selection of stretcher bars and all types of canvases for artists who build their own canvases. Decent selection of oils at various price points. The store is pretty comprehensive so it fits the needs of any level or type of artist. But with variety, it's more arts & crafts rather than fine-art oriented...I wouldn't say it's got a lot to choose from in any area other than canvas, but at least it will always have any staple you could possibly need.
1.) Great Staff: Very helpful, friendly and unpretentious
2.) Great Selection of all sorts of art materials and goodies! They even have animal masks...hmmm.
3.) Decent prices...and if you're a student let them know for an additional 10% off...yay!
4.) I want to play here all day....
Clerk walks up - "Need some help?" I answer - "I do. I want to unleash the artist within me." (Ok, YOU can stop laughing now.) The clerk didn't laugh at me, didn't even show a hint of amusement. He kindly asked me what kind of artist did I aspire to be - a painter I replied - and he led me to the paint area - asked me if I knew what type of paint I'd like to try - acrylic I said - and he began to patiently explain the world of acrylic painting. I left with tubes of beautiful colors, canvases, brushes and my head held high with pride as I imagined the masterpieces I was going to create!
Well, it's been about a month since that virgin trip and I've been back several times. I'm a painter now. I've added more colors, more brushes, more canvases and an easel. That same clerk is helping me move up the ladder of creativity - we're talking mediums now (it's kinda technical, so I won't overwhelm you with those details! ;) )
Really. This place is great. I feel so welcomed. They may have had a good laugh over me when I left that first visit - but while I was there, and every time since then, they have been great. Not once did they try and sell me the expensive stuff or things I really don't need!
I may not know what the hell I'm doing, but I'm having fun. My abstract countryside village is kinda cool!
This place a wide variety of art (and craft!) supplies. The selection here is much bigger here than at the other art supplies stores in town, and is the only place I know of that sells canvases up to about 6' x 7', as well as materials to stretch your own canvases.
Other odds and ends to be found here (great selection of all):
- Easels
- Paint
- Pencils, Pens, Rapidiographs
- Wire, mesh, metal
- Paper (cold press, hot press, stationery, etc)
- Project kits (that don't suck)
- Science / Professional project board
- Greeting cards
- Gifts
You can easily spend about much more than an hour in this place and not gaze upon everything there is to drool over here.
Staff is quite friendly, and if you are a student with an ID you can get discounts!
This is a great art store. It has more crafty, funky stuff than Daniel Smith but less high end paints.
Lots more canvases here and lots more sizes as well. And usually better prices too.
I always find some new thingy or other here to try out or something!
UPDATE:
I was VERY pleased with the service I received here recently. They really helped me out a lot with choosing canvases and getting them loaded into my truck. They pretty much rock!
This is the only real art supply store in the city. Which is sad. Why isn't there one downtown?? Pearl Paint in NY and Boston must have spoiled me since I am always surprised with how small the inventory is at places like Daniel Smith and Dakota. In contrast, I can usually find whatever it is that I am looking for at A/C and if I need a mega size of something - they will order it! I rely on A/C for most of my paint, they even have the "crafty" stuff. The staff is knowledgeable about the materials and are really helpful.
My only complaint is they aren't open long enough. They open at 9am and close at 7pm, making it hard to buy supplies before or after work.
Knowledgable staff, great supplies, good prices. I love going to an art store where they have pretty much everything I'm looking for, plus more. To be fair, I love art stores, but this one is my favorite. Everything I want is here (including many things I can't get right now, but still want).
I always look forward to having an excuse to go to a&c. I always walk up and down all the aisles looking for things I "need". Do I know what most of them are for? No. But I need them.
Anyway I've always been offered excellent customer service. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. They have so many different kinds of stuff in this store. You will definetly find SOMETHING just right for your creative endevor.
The only thing I really have to add that no one previously mentioned is that this is THE ONLY art store in seattle that carries Montana spray paint. They have the full array of paints and tips. Yay for that.
This is the only artist supply store in Seattle that I will shop at anymore.
The staff is always knowledgeable and helpful and the selection is better than any place else here. And even if it weren't also so reasonably priced, I would still keep coming back because so many art stores in Seattle are lacking in having both a great staff and selection.
It's easy to miss since ironically the signage isn't that noticeable, but you shouldn't let that stop you from getting in there.
Oh, and you can park for free in the pay lot across the street while you are shopping there too.
I'm not an artist per-se, but I sometimes like to get certain brushes to use as makeup brushes from the art store. I came here for the first time years ago for a makeshift simple portfolio, and have since returned with my artsy cousin who loves to walk slowwwwwly through the paint aisles and pick things out. I really enjoy their selection of brushes--both natural and synthetic. Also, they have a selection of feathers that can't be found at other art stores. I've yet to find a better art store in Seattle.
OMG.
I could (and have) spend way too much time (and money) in this place! Everywhere you look, there's something new to try, something to inspire, something to get your creative juices flowing. This place rocks my socks!
Great art supply, and just off of the interstate. The staff is always really helpful, and I like going there and wandering around... I always find new things. Plus, I can always find the thing I actually wanted to buy. And if you like money, this place has large amounts of mine.
DANG IT - I spent too much $$$. Thanks Yelpers for helping me spend my cash-ola.
A&C is a wonderful art supply store with the friendliest staff. I think I was asked " How can I help you?" at least 3 times. So NOT snobby. Like the other Yelpers mentioned, A&C is huge from general art supplies to framing & greeting cards. I was going crazy of the canvas section - MMMM, delicious. The prices are reasonable & too bad I'm not a student. (sigh). Oh, well. Overall, positive experience and will definitely go back.
Okay, what shall I paint?? Maybe the hole in my wallet. HAHAHA.
Yes, I love going to A&C. I could probably spend all day there even though I don't need most of the stuff they carry. It's just fun to check out what they have. Great store for painters. Staff there is helpful and their price is decent.
i ALWAYS refer artist people who are new to town to this beauty!
smart staff (who actually know what they are talking about) not to mention an amazing selection!
this shop rocks!
They have everything you might need. If you can't find it, just keep looking. The place is organized a bit strangely perhaps, but it's got what you're looking for. The staff are friendly and helpful also.
Pure love for an artist or designer. Pure love.....that is all I have to say.
Awesome huge art supply store ! I really like how this place is set up and it has a great vibe! The sales people were friendly & helpful in wanting you to achieve whatever your artistic goal is! I could have spent a lot more time wandering around - and a lot more $$$ if I'd had room in my bags going home! Good selection of pastels, paints, canvas, paper, etc etc etc.. love it!
the best. good hours. parking. inexpensive. the end.
Neighborhood: SODO
Category: Art Supplies
Neighborhood: Columbia City
Category: Shopping
Seattle, WA
Category: Art Supplies
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Bookstores
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Cards & Stationery
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