Howard's Art Supplies & Custom Framing — Attraction in Hagerstown

Wandered into Howard’s Art Supplies & Frames on Dual Highway and instantly felt like I’d stumbled into an artist’s cozy nook rather than a store. The shelves brim with products—acrylics, inks, paper, drafting tools—all in tidy, easily browsable order. Staff leaned quiet at first, but once you ask for Bob Ross oils or frame options, they perk up like, “Oh, you’re serious? Let’s get you set.” It felt less box-store hustle, more creative collaboration.

The place is squeaky clean, and there’s a vibe of cared-for craft—someone even mentioned an “awesome turtle” giving the place personality. Framing comes with serious craft—expert, archival-grade work, customer-approved design, climate-controlled, insured, canvas stretching, same-day mat cutting, three-week turnaround (with overnight available)—all handled in-house.

Budget-conscious? Heads up: framing can feel spendy. But that soft roar of quality, goodwill, and capable hands? That’s something you don’t really...

You can't put a price on quality service. Framing service from big box stores might save you $5 here and there, but when it starts to come apart on you a month later, you'll be over to see Andrew at Howard's. If you want it done right, spend the extra couple dollars for a framing job that you can hand down to your children's children.

When I walk into a small business, I don't expect the prices to match Amazon's. I expect to pay a dollar or two more and have a human being there that I can pick their brain. Someone who does this for a living and has the experience and product knowledge that I'm lacking. A lot of times that knowledge and expertise saves me money! I'll go in looking for one thing, and end up leaving with something else entirely that better suited my...

Framing here is very expensive. I can’t afford it, but they’ll be very patient showing options.

The art section is pretty good. Most of the time staff is friendly once you start talking. They are generally the quiet type, but are willingly to talk about art supplies with great knowledge.

They have one dog here who is very friendly. They once had a dog that I think they had just rescued (a few years ago) and it was obviously not cool with kids who even ignored it, but they handled it well and put the pup up.

I’d get framing done at a cheaper store, but get art...