IDK what the bad reviews are about but this is literally the best art store for hundreds of miles. If they don't have it they can order it! Staff is incredibly helpful in finding me what I need for any given project! read more

I've been purchasing my supplies from the Art center for decades. They always have everything I need . If they don't , they order it and have it for me with little wait . Always a smile on everyone working there. Also they are true artists themselves and are willing to share their knowledge . I will continue to use them as my primary supplier . Dean Schubert read more

I recently discovered this place when a colleague of mine who is an artist told me it was one of her favorite shops to purchase art supplies. Not only do they have an extensive selection of materials, but they also have a ton of fun items that make for great gifts. Funny coffee table books, kitschy tarot card decks, vibrant stickers, adult themed coloring books, unique puzzles, and greeting cards. On both my recent visits, staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and kind. They also plugged other local art businesses in the county when I mentioned driving up from Fortuna. Being in this store just brings me joy and I can't wait to return! read more

See all

Visited this store a few months ago. There was a scratch book on the shelf. I was approached and told my son had scratched in it and I needed to pay for it, as they couldn't sell it. My son was mortified and had gone outside. I brought him back in and made him pay with his money, as I am all about honesty and accountability. As he paid, the woman who had confronted him had vanished and not a word was said to thank him or us for making it right. When we got to the car with our newly acquired book, we saw it had been scratched in by someone else first. Maybe keep this item behind the counter or wrap it. This was handled terribly. Never again. read more

The store has cool stuff in it, but when I called to ask if they had a certain paper, the staff person was helpful at first, but abruptly became incredibly rude. Really not a way to be treating potential customers. I will not be shopping there again. read more

Awesome selection of good quality art products. I had planned to buy some wishlist products and everything was in stock! My only issue was with the staff. Unfriendly and gossipy. Seems like energy could have been better spent making the atmosphere more inviting and comfortable. I don't think I will return. read more

The Art Center is FANTASTIC! I picked up some special ordered brushes today that I was sure I would never be able to find. The kind folks at Art Center did some research, found the brushes, ordered them for me and in just a few days time I have them. I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

It's always a treat to buy art supplies here. They have a great selection that caters to a wide range of interests and needs, from crafts for kids to professional needs, along with quirky gifts for artsy and creative people. The staff are themselves working artists who are always helpful with good advice if you need it, and are personable and genuinely nice people. Highly recommended! read more

The best place for local art supplies in the greater Humboldt bay area. The Art Center has all the supplies you need for pursuing your artistic endeavors - for the artist, both pro and beginner alike. As well as all levels in between. This business has strong ties with the local arts community and all of the areas schools, which makes shopping for art supplies pretty easy. Always a great place to shop, this small eclectic store surprisingly holds a good selection of the supplies needed for most every art form known. As well as a knowledgeable staff that are willing to help you find what you are looking for even if they do not happen to have it in stock. They have ordered specialty tools, over-sized components and bulk supplies for me and have always delivered every custom order as expected and within the agreed time frame. I have always been able to find pretty much all the supplies I need at a competitive price, with local support and commitment that is second to none. The Art Center is my choice for all my supplies - the staff are friendly and accommodating and though the place can be hectic at times, I have always found everything or been able to order pretty much anything needed for my art. The Art Center is another great business is Arcata and one more thing that makes living behind the Redwood Curtain the cool places that it is... A Solid 4.5 stars - rounded up for great local support. 00227 read more

With a team of creative problem solvers & a wealth of artistic knowledge, you will leave The Art Center better equipped with supplies, inspiration and resources to paint, build or make whatever your heart and mind can dream up! Go there and get ready to make the world a more beautiful place! read more

Very knowledgeable and helpful folks. In my top pics for creative project materials in Humboldt.

I have never had an experience like this before. The workers there were incredibly rude and as I was checking out I was getting updates about my hospitalized mother and I was was yelled at by the cashier for being on my phone. I will never shop here again. read more

Love this place! I am in two art classes at CR and always find what I need and the employees always are so helpful in finding what I need! And they have a students discount!! Awesome store! read more

The Art Center is stocked with everything you'll need in the event that you're running low on supplies. Their prices are reasonable; but their staff is well trained, and very knowledgeable. Location: 4 stars Atmosphere: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Selection: 5 stars Return-factor: 4 stars Last impression: 4.5 stars read more

Have been to this store multiple times over the past 20 years and maybe have had 1 positive interaction with staff. They always seem curt, like I'm annoying them by shopping there. I recommend Elis Art in Eureka or even Michael's. I only visit the Art Center if I need a quick odd and end because I live in Arcata, otherwise I shop elsewhere :( read more

Although COVID is happening, I still expect a welcoming experience. There is a desk in front of the shop with a line to maintain social distancing from the counter. There was also a screen for additional safety. I had to literally get on my tip toes in order to hand over my card to pay. The cashier asked rather rudely that I stay on the other side of the line even though the person in front of me maintained NO social distancing. I also had a mask covering my nose and mouth so I had no idea why I was the only one who had to do this. I also was frustrated that for weighted paper I could only look at the paper. This is very non ideal being an artist. I wish I was offered a glove so that I could at least be somewhat accommodated for my request to see the balance of the paper somewhat. I understand we must be safe and have guidelines but if you are going to be unwelcoming and rather rude with your guidelines then maybe you should just stay closed until the virus.... well I guess goes away? (Not likely) read more

Top of the line service and great advice, Much Appreciated!!!

i love getting art equipment from here the staff is is very nice and helpful. there art quality is awesome for beginners to pros. read more

I needed some odds and ends and happened to be visiting in Humboldt. I thought I would try the Art Center in Arcata. The woman who helped me was so helpful and nice. They had EVERYTHING on my list even though the store is small. She gave me a couple tips on a new medium I am working with and verified that I was on the right track as far as materials. She also gave me their card and said I could call and order and they would package and send just for the cost of postage (no huge handling fees). I was impressed because I used to go to the Art Center in Eureka when I was a student at HSU and they were not so helpful. This was definitely a positive experience and excellent all the way around. read more

I had to go in here a lot for my art classes to get certain special supplies and it was very convenient. Not too far from the school and the staff knew what you needed. Highly recommended and the prices weren't too inflated. read more

This is now a destination when hubby and I visit the area. First of all, they let us bring our dog in (awesome!). More importantly, their selection of products is second to none. It is a small-ish store but they have so many fun goodies! I always get inspired there. Hubby loves it too. The customer service gals remembered us (and our pup) and hubby had some great conversation about our upcoming Halloween projects. Great place, great service. Awesome! read more

I love this store! I have spent quite a bit of money here on my art classes. The staff is friendly, very helpful, and they know the teachers at HSU so they know exactly what to help you find. At the beginning of the fall semester a lot of items were on sale, and the HSU students got an extra 20%, which we get all year with the coupon. Also, there are some very cute dogs who hang out in the store (they belong to the people who work there), and they are always willing to let you scratch their ears. =) read more

As a student, I try to split my trips between here (Art Center) and Ellis Art/Engineering. Both have amazing staff that are always extremely helpful. Usually at Art Center they get so many students in, I don't have to know what I'm doing-just to tell them what teacher I have and every time (for me) they have known exactly what I need. I don't know left from right in that store so it's 100% awesome! :) I'm not saying this will be everyones experience, but for this beginner they have my business! Thanks guys!!!! read more

This store has a great selection but the employees need to work on their customer service. One of my friends was accused of stealing from the store (He didn't. I was there.) and we ended up leaving after being harassed for around 10 minutes. I was willing to forgive the lady because we had been paying customers for quite some time and I didn't want to stop doing business with the store. Fast forward a few weeks and we are in the store again getting supplies for a comic book we were about to begin doing the thumbnails for. The lady is on the phone laughing at what the person on the other line was saying and then she see's us walk in and stops completely and just begins staring at me and my associate. We had in our hands 3 sketchbooks, 2 erasers, a calligraphy set and three bottles of Indian ink. We were about to purchase our things but she just kept staring us down like we were stealing. She was still on the phone talking to her friend but she still just kept staring us down. I was certain that as soon as she got off the phone she was going to kick us out and yell at us. So me and my associate but back our things and walked right out the door. We were ready and willing to spend around 56 dollars but her attitude towards us was just so unbelievably rude that we just could not abide it, so we left. read more