Artist & Craftsman Supply Portland SE — Attraction in Portland

This employee-owned store has been in Portland for about a year as of early 2018; it is one of two in Portland, with some 30 across the country. The firm originated in and is headquartered in Maine. The company also sells its products on-line, with free or flat-rate shipping. Everything I viewed in the catalogue beforehand was present in the physical location. The web page allows for a wish list, to which one can connect in-store via their guest wi-fi, a useful convenience for me. Employee ownership is of value to me.

The store initially seems small because it is densely packed, and this can feel overwhelming; the store prioritizes product diversity and quality over shopping ambience. The array of products available in this amazing place is impressive; significantly, products are first-rate, not merely cheap or of low quality. Nearly anything you might need for typical art work is available here, from from painting to sculpting to printmaking. Some product types that are particularly well represented include all manner of paints and drawing pads, but there are others too. Some unexpected products include things like bookbinding supplies and limited architectural model-building needs. Some other firms in Portland offer a wider array of specialty art papers, although you should check here first if you haven’t yet been in. They even have 4 foot by 8 foot foam core board. When you browse, don’t forget to look very high up and way down by the floor!

While the product selection is naturally of prime importance, this store would not succeed without its high quality staff support. The two women who helped me on a Monday afternoon in late January were friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient, and readily went out of their way to help me, as well as the many other customers who were there during the same hour as I was. As a person with limited mobility, their uncommon assistance was greatly appreciated. Remember, the store is employee owned and operated.

Through February there is a significant sale, with discounts up to 40% on a very wide selection of products. Meaningful to me.

I have no connection to the company nor any staff member, and am not being paid for this review. In fact, I just discovered the store via the web this morning, a couple of hours before my first visit. My assessment is sincere and uninfluenced by anyone. I rarely write reviews. I was simply and duly impressed.

Michael Jones,...

LOVE THIS STORE!! Finally a real artist supply store in my regular stompings! (They've been here since 85 i don't know how i missed them for so many years!)

My 13yo son is obsessed with art and always gets mad when Michael's is suggested cuz "those aren't Art Supplies™️". I've been to A&C a couple times to get him gifts but today I actually got him to go with me with the promise that this isn't Michael's. He's IN LOVE now! They have everything his little heart desires for sketching Manga and creating story boards. We got him a bunch of really cool alcohol markers for an amazing price! Also, tons of heavy-duty sketch pads, pencils, blenders, etc. And the price wasn't that much higher than Michael's, but the quality is far better. We also spent a ton of time looking at all the little miniatures and cooing over the kitchy gifts.

The clerks are all very knowledgeable about products and have a way of letting you know they're available to help without being stalky about it. Really nice people and great vibes. And it's employee owned! Power to the people 😊

Like I said... obsessed 💚 if you're looking for real art supplies for serious artists... Look no further than artist...

Honestly this is an excellent art supply store and local and I wanted to love it. But I have shopped here probably 10+ times with the same experience: none of the employees seem happy, interested in helping me or knowledgeable about whatever I’m looking for. I’m a crafty person, always looking to do new projects and almost always a novice in whatever new thing I’m trying and I’ve asked many different employees about many different topics and no one ever seems to know the answer to any of my (pretty basic) questions. It’s honestly weird and makes me assume that there is something happening behind the scenes that would lead to these people so clearly unsatisfied with their jobs. Or maybe I’m just as annoying as they make me feel (something I’ve never experienced at any other art supply store??? But definitely in the realm of...