Dakota Art Store — Local services in Bellingham

2 days ago, My Daughter (who is visiting from California) wanted to go to Dakota Art, in Bellingham.  As she was looking around the store, I decided to purchase a pencil sharpener for 60 cents (because I needed 1).  I handed the sharpener to the Clerk/ Manager (?) ...who had a beard & glasses ...& he held the item up to me & said (very rudely):  "Out of all the stuff that is in the store, this is all you're gonnah buy?!"  I couldn't believe it!  & I'm thinking:  "What the Hell did he just say to me?!?!"  & then, there was this uncomfortable silence.  I was so humiliated, that I felt the need to reveal that I was broke (which is the truth).  In all my years, as a Visual Artist, having lived all over the United States, I have never felt SO OFFENDED in an Art Store!  His behavior was so agregious, that if he was on My Staff, I would've given him a Final, Written Warning ...or if he had a poor Work History, I would've terminated him at the end of the work day.  & in retrospect, all I can discern from this experience is that:  he must've been the Owner of the Store ...because the rest of the Staff was friendly & his behavior was completely, uncalled for!  I highly recommend against using this store!  I would rather go to a Michaels, or a Hobby Hive, than to be so demeaned, as I was, at Dakota Art/ Bellingham!

Byron Lloyd von...

Friendly faces and helpful hands operate this community oriented Art store.

The selection in store is wide, but not necessarily deep. If you don't see something specific you're looking for, the staff is more than happy to order it from one of their suppliers if they can. With that said I've never left without something I needed.

Students get a discount with proof of enrollment, an ID works fine, which makes some of the pricing comperable to online retailers.

There is a 2.5hr quick pose figure drawing session available Wednesdays for $15 (as of 4/19) which is a fantastic way to hone your skills. It seems other classes are offered from community members, but I've yet to take one.

Lastly there is a gallery attached that rotates monthly with Bellingham's Artwalk and often showcases artists from...

When I first came into the store, I was expecting it to have all the average art supplies you can get anywhere at a bit of a markup. I can't overstate how wrong I was. They have a vast and exciting variety of nearly everything you could need. When I finally found what I needed, it was less than half as expensive as I thought it would be. Once I had what I wanted, I went to the best part of the store. The staff! The people at the register were simply delightful. One of them asked about my favorite animal, and then drew a lovely cute sketch of it on the bag for my supplies. They were so friendly and I will certainly go...