From the archives four years ago today... Such a great memories... my time spent at the Art Coop while waiting for my sister to finish her job at the fitness center was rewarded by getting to know and appreciate Hilary Pope... I must add something to her Yelp site... "buy some paint, architectural miniature trees, postcards with excellent gentle advice and make a friend." Note: I'm a senior (though with chartreuse hair) and in a Walker... being on a limited traveling budget, I still was shopping so the advice given by the owner Hilary was a gift plus she was patient and kind. She knew PAINT and brushes and.... her merchandise. read more

Art Coop - My paints from the Art Coop packed to take back to Santa Rosa, CA... - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

I love this store. A range of art supplies from kid scale to professional. Having a locally owned art store is a real treasure.

My husband and I love going to Art Coop because they're always willing to go above and beyond to help us out. Our son wanted "rainbow" presents for his 4th birthday. Art Coop has the giant colored butcher paper you usually find in elementary schools. They helped me get the right size of each color so I didn't have to waste money on individual rolls of wrapping paper. Art Coop is also the only local place I know that sells Blackwing pencils, which are my favorite! They have what real artists need, as well as a great collection of nifty gifties for any occasion. I got this awesome bumper sticker (pictured) the last time I was there, as well as a kick-ass Bruce Lee Blackwing. I am now the coolest person on my block. Just do yourself a favor and don't ask for sable-hair paintbrushes. read more

Art Coop - Great find last time I visited Art Coop! - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Independent! Local! Live humans! Funky gifts! REAL art supplies that you can touch! Friendly staff who are artists and can answer questions! What more can I say?!? Art Coop is a C-U institution that has become a rare gem, as one of the last independently-owned art supply stores in the Midwest. In addition to the store, they have a gallery and window displays featuring local artists. I LIKE ART COOP. read more

Art Coop - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

The singular best place to go in C/U for any art supply needs. Whether you are looking for supplies relating to technical art making, are just looking for notebooks and a selection of a million pens and writing utensils to find a favorite, are looking for fun quirky gift ideas like puzzles and socks and random do-dads, mugs or gorgeous wrapping paper, this is the only place you'll need to go in town. I have found my favorite notebooks and pens there personally and go back regularly to replace them. And whether it's for the holidays or for a special occasion or birthday, you are bound to find something perfect for your loved ones. And the fact that this establishment is LGBTQ/Woman owned and staffed is always an incentive for me. And truth be told, the store is so good I don't need incentives. Just all the reasons. Located conveniently inside Lincoln Square Mall, you can hit so many other amazing shops like the kombucha joint or the Idea Store or Common Ground Food Coop for groceries and on every case, you are supporting local makers, artisans, merchants and artists. Can't recommend this spot enough. read more

Instead of giving a review of the physical store, I would like to actually give a review of the owners. I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Anna, Hillary and their beloved partners in the Netherlands. I chose to bring them because of what they represent and who they are. Full disclosure; I'm one of their vendors, but I haven't written a review for any other retailer across the country. I felt compelled to for Art Coop. When it comes to value, I think it's important for us to all understand who we are supporting and how they enrich our communities. Are the profits helping shareholders on Wall St., private equity and venture capitalists or are the profits helping support families in Urbana? does the money we spend help support those in the community that need a space where being creative and different is not only supported, but celebrated? At Art Coop, there's no question. Anna and Hillary bring a deep passion for art materials and helping to spread joy and spark creativity in Urbana. They adore their customers and love what they do. If I lived here, it would be my store and I'd cherish it. So, go there and buy that thing for that person who would like it, even if that's you. Go there with someone you know who would like to have an excellent experience, and plug into a community. We all need that, that's for sure! read more

I used to like this place. I first visited in fall of 1982. They had everything: a wide variety of presstype sheets from letraset and other manufacturers, ruby lith, a wide variety of drawing tools (which I still have today!), waxers...everything. They also had a nice golden retriever. They were pretty good when I needed some supplies in the late 2000's, including photographic chemicals and paper. Today, I went there for some stop bath and a pad of vellum. They only had developer and fixer, no stop bath. That's a pretty critical problem. So I went looking for a 19 x 24 pad of Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I've bought a couple of these over the years. Today, I couldn't find one. So I asked the employee at the desk for help. He walked me to where I had been looking and said, "If we have it, it will be here." Fine, but I couldn't find it and I expect a retail employee to be able to find the thing I can't find, or at least tell me if it's a stocking item. The little twit just walked away. When I chewed him out for being worthless, he was indignant. I just ordered it from Amazon. I'll get it next week with no attitude or b.s. read more

This is such an amazing store! Everyone is so helpful, their inventory is always amazing, and I have a great experience every time I go. Keep up the great work, Art Coop team! read more

A very welcoming art supply spot with a very lovely selection of high quality art supplies. I love all of the fun little stuff you can purchase that are not are art related, love the tiny animals! Independent retail is important to our community, amazon all you want, but you should really peep this local gem! read more

I can't say enough about how wonderful this store is! It is well stocked with a variety of art products as well as creative gifts. And the staff are always welcoming and super helpful! read more

This is probably my favorite store in Urbana. Full of art supplies and craft supplies. The brain boils over with possibilities when you enter. If you want to try painting, sculpting, drawing, bookmaking, printing, lino carving, drafting, papermaking. Whatever you want to do, your first stop should be the Art Coop in Urbana. The people that work there are polite and helpful, the selection is great, and they do art shows and other things there too. Even my teenager likes the Art Coop. read more

The Art Coop is a staple in this town. A true community shop! I've been purchasing art supplies for over a decade from them-- from when I need supplies for Art school to everyday craft/art projects. I often stop by to browse or find unique gifts too! They have an impressive selection, and have worked with me to custom order things too. Their staff have been so helpful, supportive and knowledgeable. Couldn't recommend this place enough! read more

Art Coop is a pleasure to frequent. The staff is familiar with the products sold and extraordinarily helpful. Besides an excellent selection of art materials, their selection of fun stuff is a hoot. There is an amazing selection of small to large gifts for yourself or someone else! read more

Love Art Coop! I'm not an artist but I've gotten many birthday and Christmas gifts here! Always something for everybody of all ages! Educational gifts for kids and fun gifts for adults. read more

Art Coop is a historical CU gem! It's my go-to place for any art supplies but also for unique gifts for friends and family, or for random fun items for my kid. The owners and employees are very kind and knowledgeable. Definitely worth a visit to Lincoln Square mall, which is currently undergoing some exciting growth with so many new locally owned businesses! read more

If you're looking for a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere to shop for your art supplies in Urbana, look no further! Hilary, Anna and the rest of the team have your back. Amazing selection of the best artist grade art supplies coming from people who actually care about your artistic journey. You won't be disappointed when you pay a visit to Art Coop! read more

This place is awesome! I've never had a bad experience here, and I appreciate that they're requiring masks (we are at high community level and the Illinois DPH recommends wearing masks indoors). A fun selection of gifts and cool papers, art supplies. read more

Awesome place with some great products. An integral place for our local artists community.

Great service if you need help finding supplies for classes! Also fun selection of novelty gifts :)

Excellent selection of all kinds of fine art, craft, and other supplies at fair prices. The staff are knowledgeable too. It's one of my favorite places to shop for gifts with cool stickers, socks, books, toys, pins, and even original artwork. My kids love shopping here too. One of the hippest stores in town and locally owned. A true Urbana gem. read more

The staff is sooooo nice. I needed a bunch of foam core and spray glue last minute for an art show and their inventory was exactly what I was looking for. They always wave when I walk by in the mall. read more

A fantastic store with a huge selection of everything an artist needs. It is a great place to come to get ideas for my next project and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend Art Coop to anyone creative and looking for inspiration. read more

I love this place. Not only do they have a vast inventory of quality art supplies, they also stock the best local selection of BlueQ merchandise. Unique gifts and plenty of children's items as well. Love the staff, love the location, love love love love love. read more

The very best place to shop for art supplies in Champaign-Urbana. I started shopping here as a U of I Art & Design student many years ago and love to still pop in for supplies or gifts. Great local company! read more

There's simply no other place to go for art and design supplies, cool unique birthday gifts, and literally everything in between!! Art Coop was my go-to as an undergrad and to this day I still love traveling back to Urbana just to visit the Coop because it's so much bigger and better than it ever was. read more

Outstanding selection of art supplies for any type of project. The staff was so helpful in working with us to get just the right materials for the age of our kids. It's a great place for the professional artist or just someone like me who is a real novice! Great place and amazing people!! read more

A great place to go for any art supplies you need (and some you didn't know you needed)! This is also a fantastic place to find unique gifts. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. The whole store celebrates inclusivity and diversity. read more

I reached out to Hilary at Art Coop for help putting together a birthday present for my kiddo. I let her know things he was really into, and she had so many ideas to help broaden our creative horizons! He was so happy with everything, and all of the supplies were perfectly age-appropriate, well-made, and carefully chosen. I love this local spot!! read more

Great local business, knowledgeable staff, community-focused, 11/10. Great for new artists and old pros.

This is the best place to buy art supplies and art-related gifts in town. The owners are knowledgeable and care so much about their store and community. If you need anything, they will absolutely do their best to help. I go here for all my art supply needs. read more

They had exactly what I wanted, directed me to the correct section of the store and checked me out promptly. You can't beat that!

I've been going to Art Coop for YEARS! Amazing staff and all the art supplies you could ever need! They also have an amazing selection of queer items and SO MUCH MORE!! So much to see and something for everyone! Support great local businesses. Shop here! read more

I know Urbana is supposedly the artsy-fartsy Birkenstock side of CU, and so, while I understand why Art Coop would elect to move there and into the creepy old and largely deserted Lincoln Square Mall, I just miss their presence on campus. (doggone it, when I was a fine arts design major, the coop was conveniently located on campus and staffed by some of my quirky classmates and I felt at home inside the coop. Now, not so much. :/ ) The prices are not great, definitely higher than Dick Blick. And the assortment of weird and wonderful papers and tidbits also seems to have dwindled. Frankly, it's just as easy and more price effective to shop on line for the run of the mill basics. I miss the old school Art Coop. :( read more

Best window mall walking in the area, love the art supply collections. Love it! Shopping local art is the only way!!

This store is so cool! They have the cutest gifts and I love buying local! Super friendly staff, so much to look at- grateful there's still stores like this out there! read more

What a unique little gem. The only place in the CU area where I've found ink for my fountain pen. The staff is hit or miss on how they make you feel. I do wish they would have a larger selection of fountain pens and ink, but as it's not a super popular hobby I understand why they don't. I feel they are a little pricey in some of their supplies, but they do have a pretty wide selection. read more

Less than helpful. Two times I've been in and the people don't know basic art supplies. They also have no idea on customer service. Their selection is disgustingly low and overpriced. I am not surprised people order things from the Internet if this is what you have to deal with on a local level. Complete and total disappointment. Never going back again. Waste of my time now twice. read more

Always have exactly what I'm looking for PLUS something extra that I didn't know I needed. They're always supporting other local businesses, local community groups, and are always very helpful and friendly! We love art coop. read more

I have nothing but good things to say about the art coop. They have anything you would need to make art and the people who work there are actual artists for gods sake!!! And for you haters that think Lincoln Square is dead - maybe you should go and get some exercise at the workout place or some decent food at Common Ground Food Coop or the Art Mart - or get a massage or acupuncture or do some yoga at Amara - and then you wouldn't be full of so much negative energy. read more

Great place, helpful staff. I was looking for fabric dye and they had exactly what I needed. Also, funny socks...omg so many gifts were purchased. I could spend all afternoon in this place! read more