Get inspired with a visit to Calgary’s top art supply stores
Calgary is an artistic city. It features its own art school (ACAD) and a great many art-supply shops provide creative inspiration as well as artistic tools. Whether you’re a painter of panoramas inspired by Calgary’s mountain and prairie surroundings, a portrait painter, potter or police sketch artist, you’ll find everything you need at these artful shops.
Kensington Art Supply
120-6999 11 St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2S1No longer located in its namesake neighbourhood, Kensington Art Supply is now found just southwest of Deerfoot and Glenmore Trail Southeast. Established in 1911, it’s something of an art-supply institution, offering workshops and aisles upon aisles of artist materials. Staff members will help you find the exact tools you need.
Mona Lisa Artists' Materials Ltd
1518 7 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1A7Family owned and run for over 50 years, Mona Lisa Artists’ Materials knows what Calgary artists need. Here, you’ll find pencils, pens, paints and brushes as well as larger products like easels, projectors and artist portfolios. The shop also boasts the largest canvas selection in Calgary. Mona Lisa’s knowledgeable staff are always available to offer advice. No matter the medium, Mona Lisa can point you in the right artistic direction.
Sunnyside Art Supplies
132 10 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1V3Not only does Sunnyside Art carry top-notch materials, it offers regular visual-art classes and workshops. Nestled in Kensington, this sunny little shop has everything from books to sculpting tools and print-making materials and a selection of paints and pencils. Sunnyside Art Supplies offers in-store discounts to students and art instructors. On-site artist workshops are held regularly – contact the shop for a complete schedule.
Destination Art
105-3400 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 1H9Nestled in the northwest near SAIT Polytechnic, Colours Artists Supplies stocks many types of materials, tools and mediums – everything an artist could ever need. In fact, they claim to carry the largest selection in the city.
Sketch Art & Framing
This one-stop shop holds all of your art-related needs. From easels and brushes to paints, papers and sculpting tools, Sketch Art Supplies has you covered. The shop does custom framing of needlework, photographs, prints, posters and paintings as well as creating shadowboxes. Also find a selection of artworks by featured artists.
Inglewood Art Supplies Ltd
646 1 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 0B6The entire staff at Inglewood Art Supplies is comprised of practicing artists, so they know their materials. Whether you’re a student, professional, beginner or just looking for a fun way to relax, the shop’s knowledgeable team will help you find the painterly provisions you’re looking for. Feeling stuck? Grab an inspirational how-to book or magazine from the shop’s large selection to spark your creativity!
Swinton's Art Supplies
7160 Fisher St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0W5With its slogan “Everything Art,” Swinton’s provides artists of all levels with quality, affordable materials. The shop carries paint supplies, drawing utensils, projectors and lightboxes, sculpting tools and printmaking materials, as well as fabric paints, calligraphy sets and airbrushing kits – sales are frequent. They even sell frames for your finished pieces. Browse for creative goodies, and sign up for a seasonal art workshop or weekly class.
Pro-Graphics Art Materials Ltd
4018 4 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W3The Pro-graphics tagline is “creative products for creative minds,” and it has just that in profusion. Art supplies include top-brand drafting and airbrushing equipment. Visit the store or shop online and have your supplies delivered to your door. The shop also specializes in custom framing for canvas pieces and needlework as well as memorabilia such as sport jerseys.
PM Hobbycraft
2020 32 Avenue Northeast, Calgary, AB T2E 6T4PM Hobbycraft provides hobbyists with all things crafty and fun. Aside from art supply staples such as drawing utensils, paints, easels, canvases and accessories, the shop also carries craft materials. PM’s eclectic stock includes build-it-yourself dollhouses and model airplanes. It’s impossible to make a short visit.
Tiffany House Stained Glass
Upr-626 15 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2A9Tiffany House carries a wide selection of art supplies, specializing in glass bead making kits as well as stained and fused glass tools. The shop offers regular classes in stained glass and bead making and also offers open-studio time for artists who don’t require much guidance. In-house artists even create custom work upon request.
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