David Art Center — Local services in Metairie

I don't think the New Orleans artist community could thrive without this store. There probably isn't anything in this cramped store that an artist couldn't find, which is an astonishing fact. Brick and mortar stores struggle to compete and survive in this online world, and having access to a store where physical items can be browsed and considered, in person, is so valuable. I can easily imagine it's also costly to hold such a huge inventory. So it's with that profound respect and appreciation that I lodge one minor complaint, that the owner wouldn't accept the return of a portfolio. Yes, he said the receipt says that portfolios can't be returned, but the labeled 14"x17" measurement was actually a 15"x18" dimension when including the cover, and this exceeded the strict 14"x17" shipping measurement requirements for a college art portfolio submission. Yes, we might have known, or measured. Whatever. I was a little disappointed by the complete dismissal of the complaint. It doesn't matter. I'll get over it and will still return. I suppose my main complaint is that the cover dimensions weren't properly printed on the...

My five-star review at the time of sale has morphed into a two-star review after the sale.

At the time of the sale, reps confidently suggested products for me to purchase and told me how to use them. When I used the (expensive) products recommended as suggested, ruined an expensive giclée print, and returned to the store with receipt and the matte varnish that had been recommended, nobody knew nothin’ — “I never saw it do that!” “I would not have recommended that product for an ink jet print!” (But an employee there DID recommend that product for my project.)

And so on …

The owner tried to palm me off on the manufacturer of the varnish, but I was the customer of David Art, who had bought and applied products suggested to me in the manner recommended with disastrous results.

I eventually got a refund on the returned varnish and reimbursement for the cost of my ruined print, but only...

This location is standard above and offers a wide variety of materials and mediums for various projects including mats and frames. It reminds me of a repurposed gas station from the 70's that's been converted. Unfortunately, there are never enough employees to assist you when you need assistance. You can become lost in the maze that is the floorplan of the store. Some items like the various papers in the draw (vellum, warm and cold press, bristol, etc.) the note on the outer drawers says get an employeeto assist but then you can wait for more than 5 minutes while you attempt to find someone. In comparison from purchasing from less expensive major art retailers online where you can obtain better discounts on merchandise, if you want to buy local this is your store. Be prepared to pay for the...