Arizona Art Supply

I would like to start by saying this is the only place I will shop for my art supplies. You have access to high quality products with an extremely helpful staff. However, during my visit today I had to endure an extremely awkward outburst from one of the staff with the short reddish hair. She somehow thought it would be appropriate to discuss her bowel movements (in detail.) loud enough for everyone to hear at the front. Other members of staff seemed equally confused and uncomfortable and I know at least 3 other guests heard her as well. No one wants to hear that… ever… I still stand by my high rating, as this is my go-​to art supply store but that was a giant turn off for me as a customer and it made me second guess which employees I would actually approach for help. Because it won’t be her…

I went in there because I thought I had broken my airbrush machine so I wanted to get it looked at. Francisco is the gentleman who helped me out on this. He was SO AWESOME! Broke down my machine cleaned it, took the time to explain everything about it and what could be the problem and was super patient! I will definitely be back for his help if I need assistance again!

This place is definitely high-​end, meaning the supplies are slightly more expensive than Michael’s (and they are already expensive.) But I got some really high quality paper here for a music video, something that wouldn’t have worked as well for the tearing scenes if it was cheap paper, so the quality is there as well. While searching for a gift for my wife here, I came in wanting oil paints for her. I asked the clerk (I forget his name but it started with a G or J) to explain oil paint to me. He patiently told me how it works and when it didn’t fit into my budget, he suggested a high-​end brush-​pen that is used by professional illustrators. It is so beautiful and I know my wife will just love it. I will repost here with her response when I give it to her.

–Friendly and helpful staff. The cashier even suggested a cool add-​on product near the register.
–A diverse and large selection of art supplies not found at the big box chain stores. They had art supply items I didn’t even know existed!
–Good pricing. Student discount available. I’m still an art student!
–Plentiful parking. Located in the same shopping center with Goodwill on the corner of Indian School and 16^th Street.

This store has the most absurdly terrible customer service that I’ve experienced in a long time. There are nasty signs all over the store (such as — don’t touch the paper if your hands are grubby, and don’t test our pens to make your masterpiece). At first I thought they were just being comical, but then as I was browsing a gentleman who I can only imagine is a shift manager stalked me around the store. He kept popping up every few minutes with a very unpleasant smile to «make sure I don’t need help» in spite of me telling him repeatedly I am browsing, but thanks. At the register he complimented my (VERY small) purse in a snide manner. I managed a retail store, so I’m well aware that this is the behavior you display when you think everyone who enters your store is trying to steal from you. Not sure why I would buy several small items totalling about $ 40.00 if I was stealing. I made certain when I took my wallet out to pay that I opened my purse on the counter for all to see. Hmm, no stashed brushes or ink in there.
But the kicker was when an item rang up for a different price than it was labled. By a small amount, about a dollar. When I brought it up, we walked over to the display to confirm that it was marked incorrectly. His response? A customer moved those brushes, we can’t be responsible for that, followed of course by a nasty smile. Are you kidding? When I protested, his response was, No that’s ok. We won’t be doing that (referring to honoring the price). I have had to tell customers no before. I wasn’t mad about being told no, I was mad about the way it was done. This gentleman clearly thinks of his customers in a very adversarial way. It’s really unfortunate that they are willing to lost customers over less than a dollar.
That being said, this place has an AMAZING selection. I have a fine arts degree, and have been to a lot of art stores in my life, this one has one of the best selections I’ve seen. And it’s less than a mile from my house! Too bad they clearly don’t have any interest in treating their clients with respect.

I came here with my boyfriend while on a road trip! We stopped in Phoenix to visit his dad; and since we’re both artists, we spray painted a mural on his dad’s work trailer to advertise his business. We needed to find spray paint and ended up coming through here. The staff was super friendly! Really! If I ever lived in Phoenix I could make a habit of coming to this place!

Unfriendly little place. Big sign on the door — check backpacks and large purses. I can get with that — I understand that they need security. So I walked up to the counter and asked for a tab for my purse. No tab system — was told to just leave it on the counter! I couldn’t believe it! My purse had money and my passport in it! They’re so worried about stuff being ripped off from their store — but they appear not to be worried at all about handling their client’s important items. I had to insist the guy put it behind the desk!
Following that, we found the clerk who helped us to be the epitome of bored and blasé We’re from out of state — used to friendly (and secure) treatment from Daniel Smith Art Supply in Seattle. These folks need to take some customer service classes there — and while they’re at it, maybe they could turn the lights up — we went in at about nine am and the store was gloomy and dark.
The only reason I’m giving this a two star is because we actually did find what we wanted. The supplies seem fine — but the clerks need to go to a customer service training course.

I had a wonderful experience here. I was new to painting, and someone took the time to walk around with me and explain everything from paint brushes to canvases and everything in between. He gave me an extra discount because I bought so much stuff. It is super expensive, and he told me his prices were lower than other places, which wasn’t true. That is my only complaint. Upon further look, it is cheaper here than michaels without sales, but more expensive than Jerry’s Artorama’s in tempe.

My favorite store!
Very pricey even with a student discount
I’ve learned 2 pretend 2 be a AI student and get my Windsors there @ the AI student store along with prismas. AI student store is cheap on culinary kits as well & Aaron brothers has better quality brushes

I’d recommend this art supply store for professional fine artists and graphic artists, but NOT for occasional dabblers/​hobbyists/​crafters. The supplies they stock are high-​quality, professional artist-​grade materials, i.e. EXPENSIVE for the most part.
If you are not absolutely sure of what you want and just want to try something out, DON’T come here because you might inadvertently spend a fortune. This is NOT the place to buy student-​grade (lower-​quality) art supplies.
But if you are a serious artist, and have a good idea of what you need, you will likely find exactly what you are looking for.
If you need advice on materials, the staff is very helpful. Once I brought in a tiny stub of charcoal that was the only one in my art kit that just felt right and made the most beautiful marks. This sweet young lady tested it for me and pronounced it a «6B» grade of charcoal and found some more for me. Now I’m happy because I have a whole stash of 6B charcoal sticks.
Excellent selection of various graphite pencils and charcoals that are priced lower than the hobby/​craft stores.
This is the best art supply store in Phoenix, however if you are in the East Valley there are a couple of good stores also.
10−20% Discounts for students, teachers and AZ Artist Guild members.
TIP: Ask to see the kneaded eraser sculptures at the cash register.

Really well organized and easy to find anything you may be looking for on the artist supply side. We popped in for just a minute but we will for sure go back when we are in need of more canvases and paints. The staff was friendly and offered up help in guiding us to anything we may have been looking to find.
Overall: A
A little bit of a drive from our house, but definitely has more to offer than Michael’s or JoAnn’s — and at better prices — in regards to art supplies!

A great place for everything painting/​drawing related. Some sculpting and silk screening as well. Unfortunately I was under the impression that this place was more like a Michael’s, containing various craft supplies such as twine, ribbon, buttons, etc. for the projects I am working on. This is really a place for a serious artist, not someone who is just needing a few odds and ends like myself. I am still giving them 4 stars because for the audience they are actually targeting, they are great. A wonderful local art place– I will recommend it to my painter friends.

The staff is very nice and knowledgeable and they always seem to have what I need.
Love this place!

LOVE IT. My home away from home. Has everything I ever need. Great and helpful staff. I want a job here!

Best place ever. loads of options and cheaper prices!

I walked int0 Arizona Art Supply and fell in love. I moved downtown 2 years ago, and I’ve never quite gotten my craft room up and running. But I had a particular project in mind, and stopped by the shop on a weekend for some spray adhesive.
I struggled to find a place to lock up my bike. They lose a star for this, as everyone does in my world. Ended up locking to a sign in the middle of the parking lot.
Once inside, I was dazzled by the available materials. I hadn’t been in an art store for a year. To make matters even better, they were playing the soundtrack from Amelie, and the cashier was a handsome tattooed young man.
I will regularly visit for inspiration and supplies. This place is a treasure.

For anything creatively related, you’ll find it here. The people are super duper nice too.

There are really no words to describe the vastness of the selection in this store.
They have almost everything you could possibly need to create any type of art!
The far drive, for me, is worth it because they have pretty good sales on supplies. The staff is all really cool and they are super knowledgeable.

I really like coming here, as it is also centrally located in Phoenix. The selections truly caters to the art professional. They have canvases, paint, and supplies that one could ever imagine. They also have a decent supply of paper and the leftover bins is a real money saver.
The staff is friendly and will guide you to your particular items. The good part is if you are a student, you get a small discount. The prices are acceptable as well as an acceptable return policy. I would put this on my short list of places to go to get deep selection of supplies, and be able to support local business.

=Jetta is a real person, not a childhood memory waiting to be parodied for comedic effect to lend humor to an otherwise worthless review. Don’t worry though, we found one.=
JETTA
When my professor said we needed Japanese sumi-​e brushes and ink for our class, I freaked out a little.
SKELETOR
I would have incinerated the blasted fool! Just watch him try to charge me a lab fee and insist I bring in my own supplies!
JETTA
I had never even heard of this stuff, let alone know where to find it. Everyone suggested I get it online, but I couldn’t risk showing up for class without them because of a shipping delay.
SKELETOR
Shipping?! Have your minions raid their warehouses!
JETTA
Somebody suggested Arizona Art Supply, and I was really surprised to see their selection and reasonable prices. I found my brushes and ink, and even one of those crazy multi-​colored pencils. The staff was very helpful, especially the manager. She might’ve been the owner. I don’t know.
SKELETOR
Who needs customer service when you’ve got a staff that shoots… I think it’s magic?
JETTA
Since I brought my class syllabus, I got a discount and a free portfolio, which they retrieved from back since they ran out of promotional ones.
SKELETOR
I have a portfolio for all of my doodles. It was fashioned out of the hides of my enemies!
JETTA
Will you cut it out? I’m trying to do a testimonial.
SKELETOR
«Cut it out?» Who do you think you are? Dave Coulier? I’m fucking Skeletor, The Evil Lord of Destruction! You know what happened to the last person who told me to «cut it out»? I heat him to death with his own skull!
JETTA
If you don’t mind, I’m trying to do a real review for once.
SKELETOR
You? Real review? Ha! I’ll believe that when I see Prince Adam and He-​Man in the same room.
JETTA
He-​Man was a bitch. She-​Ra was way better.
SKELETOR
Why are you visiting art supply stores, anyway? I always thought you were more of a «performing arts» type.
JETTA
My advisor said it would be good to expand my horizons.
SKELETOR
See? This is why you’d make a horrible arch-​villain! «My advisor told me this, my advisor told me that…» Screw your advisor! She’s a pencil-​pushing simpleton! Hang her from a cage over a bottomless abyss! Cast a curse upon her and her family! CHRIST! I don’t need this. I fought the Masters of the Universe!
JETTA
Hey, while you’re here, just between us, can I ask you a question? Are you a lich?
SKELETOR
A lich?
JETTA
You know, the whole skull-​head thing you got going on. I thought maybe you were a lich.
SKELETOR
Fool, I am an evil genius, not some Dungeons and Dragons monster. I’m outta here. I got lunch with Megatron at the titty bar.
JETTA
Right. So. Arizona Art Supply. Good wares and ‘mom and pop shop’ customer service with discount prices. If you need art supplies, you should go there, and not just because, you know, it’s «local». Although you should always shop locally, when you can. Places like Wal-​Mart ruin local businesses, and bring nothing but misery and poverty wherever they go. Hey, where are you going? I’m not done. No, wait, I’m not— BEWARE! THE SHOPOCALYPSE IS UPON US! BARGAIN BUYERS, REPENT!