What the fuck is with the prices here? Blah blah blah, its Santa Barbara, retail space is expensive... Walked out and drove to Michaels in Goleta. Prices were 50% to 75% CHEAPER! read more

Because of COVID I called to see if they were open. (Shop local) The guy who answered was really nice, inquired about what I was looking for, and gave me some tips. Which was really helpful because when I got there I was totally surprised about how HUGE the store was! I was able to tell the "kid" (sorry, I'm old) what I was looking for. He, too, was really helpful. I don't do any 'artsy' stuff anymore, but if I did I would shop here. read more

I like to buy most of my supplies here instead of Michael's but today I couldn't find what I needed because the young woman was less than helpful. When I asked her for help, she nonchalantly waved her hand in a general area and told me to search there. Customer service counts for everything these days. read more

Martin Diaz took care of me, helping me add a wire to hang a heavy sign, he was courteous and worked diligently. My sign is hanging safely and Im very pleased. I will continue to frequent this establishment for all my framing needs and art supplies. Thank you Martin for your kind and friendly assistance. read more

Huge selection of art supplies. Yeah, I suppose they're pricey, but when aren't art supplies pricey? This really is a great, one-stop artist shop, it's just a shame it's located off the main drag and kind of out of the way-ish. I don't think most people notice it or know it's there. And it's not just for artists. They have a small selection of toys and novelty items too. The service was attentive, helpful and not pushy. Hope this place survives! read more

Great Selection! A locally owned owned family bussiness that provides a vital service to our small town. I am gratefull to not have to drive to goleta to buy from a mega chain for art supplies. read more

I received above average attention and customer service from associate Jessica, who helped me with a complicated return/exchange transaction last week. She was polite and professional throughout, despite more than one interruption and various other challenges before we were done. I particularly appreciated her patience and her thoroughness. I left the store happy with my selections and eager to get started on my project! I hope this post makes it the boss! read more

Art Essentials is the best place to get quality art products at affordable prices. I have had wonderful experiences with the staff so far, they are all very knowledgable and helpful with any and all questions I had about stretching / framing canvas art prints. I came to Art Essentials after being quoted $250+ by Aaron Brothers to stretch two canvas art pieces I had recently acquired. The Art Essentials staff was very accommodating of my limited budget, despite having two art pieces that were not "standard" measurements, they finished stretching and framing two pieces in about two days (also carefully wrapped the art in paper to protect it) and I walked out the door with the finished pieces for $20 each. Thank you guys for all the help! I will definitely recommend this business to my friends and family. read more

Could not agree with Amanda S. below. I have had sales people look at me as if I had just asked for the head of a dead rat when I asked if I could order product they said they had, but didn't. 70 inch stretcher bars. The stand that held them was labeled. The kid (as she put it "hipster," LOL!!!) did not know how to handle my question: Can you order them? He simply could not answer the question. And of course they could. I could have probably used their computer to order from Utrecht online.... But 7 days later, they order had not arrived... not even sure it was placed, she said. I would so love to support a local business, but if that business doesn't understand that I can get the same materials online, why should I put up with blank-stare service that really is no service at all? Why is it that business thinks just because the economy is bad their customer service and support should reflect that? If you are absolutely desperate for anything art related, learn about what you need before you go in. If they don't have it, don't order it. Go online. read more

This store is great and they (usually) have what I need. They also offer a good student discount for Brooks students. However, when I've been in here only kids are working and they are always just sitting around talking. I understand that the store probably doesn't have more than a few people in it at a time but when someone comes in they are obviously there to get something they need so I would expect better customer service. Last time I was in there I went to look for something and couldn't find it. When I asked for help the group of kids working acted like I just interrupted the most important conversation of their life. And the kid who was helping me had no idea what I was asking for. I think that to be hired you should at least know some product knowledge... It's a good store and it's clean but if the staff were a little bit more helpful, I'd probably feel better about spending money here. read more

Wanted to support local business but unfortunately unable due to poor customer service, low stock, and high prices. I'd have been willing to pay the prices if the staff hadn't exhibited rude behavior. read more

Very friendly and full of everything an artist needs. Really fun to explore and browse. Most amazing collection of art papers I've ever seen. Discounts for students. read more

They don't have Yarn?! I would consider that an essential art supply... I was very disappointed to discover they didn't have any yarn. Other than that, it is a pretty good store. read more

Always welcoming to my dog and my self! Staff and owner always help me find what I want, and sometimes when I'm not sure what want, if I describe what I'm trying to accomplish, they help me find options and let me decide what works best for me and my project. Always kind and patient, not to mention the smiles first thing when you walk in the door, all the way to after you check out even if you only buy just one pencil there! Love them! read more

The staff were helpful and attentive. The store was beautifully stocked, with plenty of paints, brushes, notebooks, etc., and no lapses in product. I don't believe there was anything that an artist might need that was not there. I was shocked. I've been shopping there for years, decades, and often the store was poorly stocked. This visit, it was an artist's dream! Congratulations Art Essentials!! I wanted to stay longer just to browse (as one who loves art supplies), but unfortunately didn't have the time today. I will be back. read more

I love going to Art Essentials, and have been getting various supplies from them over the years. It's nice and close to my office, and I've always had friendly knowledgeable service from the folks there. Kurtis has been a great help as well. I'll keep shopping there. read more

Overpriced, rude and absent customer service. They are supposed to be one of the only places in sb to carry almost everything needed for screen printing, except theyre always out of everything, and when you special order something, they dont call you when it comes in. thumbs down, way down read more

i love coming here, staff is always nice and helpful. I love that its a local family, i want to support a local economy and not a corporate economy.... (i boycott michaels) anyways this place is a winner for finding gifts for people or just finding something new and fun to get into myself. need more small family run artsy stores like this one! thank you read more

I was working on a project for work and had to have an unusual sized item framed. I had gone to Aaron Brothers and they could not help me. Not even in the custom framing department. Art Essentials was there to save the day. Not only did they get my item framed, they did it in the same day and for a reasonable price. Thank you so much! read more

Rude customer service!!! I've been going here for over ten years so it makes me sad to write this review as I've never had an experience like I had today. I approached the counter where two girls who worked there were deep in conversation. I politely interrupted since one of the girls had her back turned away from the counter. She then turned and gave me a glare then condescendingly pointed at this big sign that stated adhesives and returned back to her conversation. I would have brushed this off but she was even ruder to my coworker which prompted us both to leave and not make a purchase. We went back to the office and learned from an additional coworker who said he recently experienced the same thing which prompted this review. I'd prefer to support local even at an additional cost but forget it if I'm going to be treated poorly. We went to Office Max instead and though it's a big corporation and not an art store we made do since the guys were nice and directed us to what we needed without attitude. read more