Blick Art Materials Evanston is a creative wonderland. This location is huge and has everything--from stationery and art supplies to framing. I love coming here for inspiration as much as supplies. The selection is excellent, the team is friendly, and I always leave creatively energized and glad I stopped in. A must for anyone who loves to make things. read more

I brought in two pieces to be framed and had the best customer service. My so much time guiding me and making really creative suggestions. When I walked out, I could not wait to see the pieces completed. When I pick them up a couple of weeks later they were phenomenal and it gives me such joy to see both of them hanging in our . Would definitely recommend the framing ! read more

Great spot for everything the artist needs. Love their selection of paints, pigments and spray paint.

First, a store manager overheard a complaint I made to someone else, apparently eavesdropping, took offense and confronted the situation aggressively despite it not involving her. The behavior was startling and warranted a report to Blick Corporate. The corporate response was boilerplate, as to be expected, but that manager has not been seen working at the store since. I've returned to this store for the first time since the incident and my feeling about the store is unchanged. The main issue is the disproportionate amount of floor space devoted to impulse-item displays indirectly related to art making. The location appears to carry less core inventory than the North Avenue store, which is far stronger. I also find the staff more knowledgable about art supplies overall. The overall focus at this Evanston location seems geared more toward suburban shoppers and families. Professional artists would be wise to call ahead to confirm availability of specific materials before making the trip. read more

Theresa was amazingly professional, helpful and accommodating. She offered her expertise and I am incredibly pleased with the results

Blick is the best art store in Evanston with the nicest people always willing to help. Blick is one of the reasons I love Evanston so much. This big beautiful amazing store has plenty of stock and wonderful gifts as well. I literally can find something for anyone here. Clinton and the store manager, Jason were especially helpful today. But any day, all of their employees are available and willing to help. I will always choose this store and hope that it stays in Evanston for the long haul. read more

Went to Blick for help choosing specific watercolors. Eileen Z. super helpful! Knowledgeable, took the time to share with me some other pigments. Knew about color mixing to achieve results. read more

I recently had 6 large action photographs of my dog custom framed at the Evanston store. Finley did excellent work on the framing. Finley was very good to work with and put the project together with professionalism and concern for the final product. Lovely artistic result. Finley framed my dog's portrait prints for me a year earlier, and the project came out so well that I was thrilled to get to work with Finley again. Thank you Finley! The project was fairly priced and represented a very good value. John A (Chicago) read more

This is such a nice shop for artists of all ages and many genres, with knowledgeable staff and an intuitive layout. I've predominantly bought gifts here, although from time to time I've gotten a few writing instruments of various kinds. It's just a great place to have in our area for creative gifts for yourself or creative people you know. read more

Arts has always been an important part of my life. Nothing like a well stocked Art store! I particularly like this store because I learned something new and had a pleasant surprise. I didn't know spray paint was illegal to sell in Chicago but legal in Evanston. This blick not only has spray but a pretty substantial collection and brands like Montana cabs. I picked up some leather paint for some shoe repair but I'm becoming a bit more Blick loyal because although further than competitors, I find they always have a wider selection and available stock. read more

Blick Art Materials - Fun fact: can't sell spray in Chicago, but in Evanston you can! - Art Supplies Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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I love Blick Art Materials! It is like going into a candy store for me. As an art educator I ordered the school supplies for the students from Blick's for many years. I am also a practicing artist and I have always been so impressed by the knowledgeable and friendly staff. They really know their products and will readily help navigate the store to find the materials and mediums I'm looking for. They always have good sales. We are so fortunate to have Blick Art Materials close by. A special shout out to Liz and Clinton for helping me with what I needed the other day! read more

Blick Art Materials - A great assortment of art supplies for children and adults readily available. - Art Supplies Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Best spot to get custom framing done - everyone on the team is so kind, helpful and has such a great eye. We typically work with Haley but have had great experiences with everyone. Highly recommend! read more

Won't return. Keith made me and my mother feel small with his attitude and his lack of knowledge which was somehow our fault. After letting him know that's not the board we needed he proceeded to walk away shaking his head and talking under his breath. We left. Sad. read more

During the pandemic, Blick has been a wonderful place for me to explore my creative endeavors. When stores had opened up after a long period, my first stop was Blick to purchase a beautiful watercolor set. I've since been back to buy Gelly pens for journaling and small blank canvases for painting (surprisingly affordable). There are so many more aspects of this store I have yet to discover but I really appreciate having this awesome art supply store around! read more

Nice staff. Joe Taylor is very knowledgeable. Nice selection of oil paints and canvases.

Aww John, Keith and Sadie did a terrific job for me today! I haven't been able to visit for about a month and I always look forward to my book visits! read more

The technicolor walls drew me in. I wasn't even on a mission to buy anything. This one-stop-shop was surprisingly amusing. Whether you're an artist in need of supplies, a Martha Stewart type (crafty), or an awesome gifter, this place checks all the boxes. There's even a section for visual effects like fx makeup and masks that you can customize. All the merchandise is very organized and sections looked neat/well-maintained. This is one of those shops you can get lost in because there's just way too many sections to look at. If I had more disposable income, I would sure buy some of the cool items they carry like a miniature arcade and a spaceship-shaped planter. Even though I was just browsing, a gentleman asked if I needed help, which was certainly appreciated. read more

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I absolutely love everything about the store. This is an artist's paradise! read more

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I was volunteering to help artists participating in the International Mural Festival in Highwood. One of our artists needed very specific supplies that I needed to provide on short notice. I worked with Clint over the phone who went above and beyond to make sure we got what we needed to the artist in time. read more

I feel so blessed to have this art store in my neighborhood. The art supplies are one thing, but the staff is on an entirely different level. They are so kind and knowledgeable. Anna and Katy have always been especially helpful. I love supporting this local business! read more

I love Blick Art supplies. This store especially, because of the redesign and aesthetics of the place. The arrangements of colorful art materials speak to this artist soul. The service is good even when they are busy. They take the time to show you where to find things and always seem to have what I want in stock. read more

Always the best customer service. Been going to this location for years, as I have to drive there from the city to purchase spray paints.

I purposely drive out of my way so physical retail locations stay afloat. I admittedly forgot my 20% coupon from the week before. I asked for the discount. The girl behind the counter said sure but when the manager over heard she said ( very rudely) no I must have the coupon. I am an artist and spend a great deal of money on supplies but never again at blicks! In the day and age of the death of retail you would think she would of been kinder. read more

I use to LOVE going to this store but recently ive noticed a huge shift and my recent experience was not a good one. Went to inquire about school kits but was met by a lady who seemed to be on drugs. Very loud and rude and eventually walked away and i never saw her again during my visit when she was suppose to be helping me with a list..Later i found out Alyssa was the GENERAL MANAGER! I feel bad for the staff. The gentlemen Dean who was the general manager prior was awesome and knew me by name. Thats what you need to keep a small business alive. Not whoever THAT is. read more

I had a horrific experience at this Blick. I and my friend had just finished watching the Barbie movie and wanted to check out Blick for fun. It was around 6:52 so close to closing but we were just browsing. All of a sudden, an agitated man on the speaker started yelling at customers to leave the store since it was 8 mins to closing. He then proceeded to call out me and my friends saying, "I see you two in the pink". we were extremely uncomfortable, but the man continued to express his anger that we were still in the store even though it wasn't closed yet. We then finally left because of our discomfort with the atmosphere. Honestly terrible customer service and attitude. I am discouraged me from returning to Blick ever again. read more

Called to pay for my sons kit over the phone. I was told i wasn't able to do that without the student and myself present? I was informed its not how it works and theres a system and they need to see ID. It doesn't make sense as a parent trying to help their kid..When i asked to speak to a manager she said they are the manager so i asked to speak to a store manager and she said they were not available. I tried to explain the situation but they kept saying "sure" over and over then said "anything else i can do for ya?" In what felt like a sarcastic tone. I hung up. Sad business. Im calling NWU and getting a list to order it myself off AMAZON!!!!! read more

This location has the WORST customer service. Consistent at messing up your orders or not placing your order at all. Either way, responsibility it never taken and apologies are condescending. They prefer to shift blame back onto the customer. For example: I looked online for non-glare picture frame glass. Website says it's available in the Evanston store location. I stop by to make a purchase and also order a custom frame. The non-glare picture frame glass is not available in the store but they place an order for me, which I have to pre-pay and I am told it will be available in 2 to 3 days. I call after six days and I am told that I don't need to call and they will call me when it comes in. I question why I was told 2 to 3 days and after six no one has called me? I am then told that they forgot to call me and the product had been broken during shipping and they were re-ordering. No real apologies are made but instead I made to feel like an asshole for calling. I am rudely informed that they will give me a call when it's available for pick up. It never did come in. Days later, I just asked for refund for the non-glare glass I was made to prepay but never received and also had a HUGE run-around. I picked up my $225 (half price special) custom frame and immediately noticed chip on the right side of frame. Both right corners, top and bottom do not come together correctly. I was told that custom made frames are handmade and so the corners won't be perfect. This frame was nicked and incorrectly pieced together. $225 seems like a very expensive scratch and dent price for a Picture frame. If I've been told that in advance I would not purchase imperfect frame for $225!! Again, no true apologies. They try to pass off their mistakes and blame my high expectations. Lol. I can keep going.... I ordered mats to be cut for art that I picked up at the Evanston Art Fair. When I arrive to pick up the mats, the color of the mat was completely different from what I ordered. They said they ran out of the color that I ordered so they just choose something else. I wait for the proper color that I ordered to become available and have them make it again because that's what I ordered. When I go to pick that up, it's cut too small. The mat opening is covering 3 inches of the art that it is intended to frame. I'm told it's my fault because I approved the measurements. I approve the measurements that I saw while I was there, not whatever measurements they made up when they cut the mat. I had to question why I would order a mat that would cover up the art that I purchased. It is mind-boggling. Just makes no sense whatsoever. Oh I have more, but I'm exhausted wasting my time on this place. The Evanston Blick Store sucks all of the fun out of art. I will never go back to this location ever again. read more

Blick Art Materials - Art Supplies Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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This is a cool arts and Knick knacks store. They have a lot of the traditional art supplies like paints, canvases, etc but they also have some other random stuff like little gifts. There is a small kids arts and craft section too for things like construction paper. If you're a student join their rewards program to get 10% off your purchases! read more

We have purchased items from this Blick store as well as other Blick stores. They carry quality products especially for serious and professional artists. read more

Such super sweet, helpful staff! When they didn't have what we wanted, they offered kindly to order it pronto- so appreciated! I bought some bookbinding tools, because yes- I am that cool. Not only do I read books but I make them too. They make impressive keepsake gifts- and there are multiple options here for binding including multiple thread colors, wax, glue galore, leather, paper, even ready made kits for beginners. read more

Blick Art Materials - Bone folders for bookbinding - Art Supplies Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Great location and very friendly staff. I came here and purchased a couple craft items including paper (I got this nice linen paper on sale for only 29 cent per sheet when it was regularly 79 cents) and brushes for designing some of our wedding invitations. You also get an education discount whether you're a student, teacher, or administration. It is a bit pricey but they often have sales which makes it all worth it. read more

Today I had one of the worst experiences of my life. Me and my friend walked into Blick around 6:45 when they closed at 7. We were planning on casually browsing for 10 minutes and leaving. We had just seen the Barbie movie at the AMC. at 6:52, we started hearing strange statements over the PA. A man was saying, "8 minutes!!! 8 minutes! They walk into the store with 8 minutes left and expect to be through checkout!" This rant went on incomprehensibly for at least a minute straight with the only cognizant and understandable statement being "8 fucking minutes". Me and my friend then stopped to look at the audio source. The statements then became "I see you in the pink shirt looking, do what you are supposed to do". Me and my friend obviously felt immensely uncomfortable, so we started to leave. The PA then started saying, " Yes you are doing the right thing". We then left the Blick feeling uncomfortable, angry, and emotionally destroyed. I'm pretty sure the one making the statements over the PA was the skinny pale one who looked like a dumpster version Henry Cavil. However, it may have been one of the other desk workers. Never again in my life will I step into a Blick Art Supplies. The blatant disrespect, unkindness, and hostile atmosphere have ruined a once great store. To the employees who were there making fun of us on the PA fuck you very very much! xoxo read more

3 stars. My roommates and I last year liked to have craft nights, so we would come here to stock up on decoupage materials and scrapbook paper. It's a tad pricey for what it is, but they have a nice selection. I just wish that they sold yarn and knitting supplies (although they did refer me to Tom Thumb on Davis St. when I asked them.) read more

Art materials and supplies can get quite expensive - Blick Art is one of the few art supply stores in the area in which you can get canvases, brushes, paints (oils, acrylics, etc.), as well as random trinkets like cute paper clips, markers, and sketch pads. There are also art furniture as well like architecture desks and easels. I always tend to doodle in the pen aisle and test out their markers. Blick is pretty good in having their canvases 1/2 off the suggested price, and also, they offer a student discount if you have your ID on you. +student ID discounts +canvas sales read more

For the first time in slightly more than a year, I made it back into Blick Evanston in person. Over the past 7-8 years, my family has literally spent THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on custom framing jobs and art supplies for the artists in the family (all mediums of paint, painting supplies, GOLDEN mediums, etc.). So, I made an appointment for 6:15PM, and waited 5 min, which was fine. After 10 minutes of Teresa helping me (she is newer and was lovely and very knowledgable), I almost walked away at an almost $180.00 price for placing a tiny and medium-sized oil paintings back into the frames w/ offset clips and stringing new wire. Teresa said if I could wait to have my paintings secured back in the frames w/ offset clips (something that can be done in 10 min each, mind you), I could wait a few weeks for the 50 percent off sale. I said fine, even though $90.00 for 8 offset clips and two wires and 20 min of labor is still hefty. Then, the manager Trish comes over after 10-12 min and says Teresa has worked too long today, I would have to re-schedule another appointment. This was to place an 8x10 child's painting in frames and a matte I bought at Blick, but I needed a bigger opening in one of the mattes. Trish made a big deal implying she thought I had just grabbed the mattes and frame off the shelves and she said about 10 times I would have to reschedule. Finally, she have me a quote of $67.00 (to make the opening bigger on my matte and place it into the small frame!). So, I made an appointment into April when they will be having a sale. BUT IT GETS BETTER!! Trish runs to the front of the store and whispers in the young man's ear and runs back to the back of the store... I am in the process of paying for the two oils to be put back in my frames with the offset clips, and Trish runs back up front and grabs the paperwork out of the cashiers hand and asks THREE TIMES if I am paying to have TWO PAINTINGS put back in the frames OR JUST ONE?! Yes, of course I am paying for TWO and I left TWO paintings! It is the whole point that I have done about 10 BIG CUSTOM FRAMING JOBS THERE OVER THE YEARS in my family, working with Jeff, then Drew, then Grace (the absolute BEST and most TALENTED framer), and bought thousands of dollars in supplies form the Dick Blick corporation, that as a mature adult and professional, I was SHOCKED to be treated like a criminal by a manager with an anger problem and who despises customer service. I like the new framer, and think she is probably very competent. I will likely keep my business with the store, and talk to upper management. I assure the other reviewers that it isn't just a racism problem, they presume EVERYBODY is out to steal art services and supplies. It is BIZARRE! P.S. - I will definitely update and revise this review based on my next interactions with the store, which might be as soon as tomorrow, as we need paints and they were 5 min from closing when I left, and the cashier was ornery and did not want to help me buy paints! He told me to "look online". Nice! read more

An Art Attack. Ok, yes...lots of art supplies, obviously. Easels and paints and paper and brushes and all that stuff for creative people with a little dispensable income. And VERY helpful people to assist you in finding anything you might need to achieve any type of artistic goal you may have dreamed up. They are good. They know where shit is. Fork over the list and let 'em work their magic. But, for me...this is a place to come for the following: *envelopes *make-your-own paper for cards (both above in beautiful colors) *packs of cute (and sometimes local) letterpress cards *Quoteable magnets and cards (I love them, do not judge me) http://www.quotablecards.com/main.html *Great selection of off-beat cards, much better than the drugstore, most def. *kitschy cute trinkets like goldfish keychains with blue light up eyes or USB sticks shaped like glasses, or earbuds shaped like skull 'n crossbones. *books, photo albums, frames, how-to vintage flowery prints (!?) swoon. Hints: 1. free parking on Sundays in the public garage across the street. For any reason. All day long. For like, whatever you want to do in Evanston. 2. join their loyal buyer program. 3. discounts for teachers/students, so bring valid ID. read more

This store is completely amazing!!! I knew generally what I wanted and Hailey enthusiastically showed me multiple options of paints, brushes, and canvases. She was so friendly, kind, knowledgeable about the products and had a ton of creative ideas. She offered lots of encouragement; exactly what I needed as an artist and world traveler getting back into painting. The store is beautifully laid out and super conveniently located in Evanston, close to NU and Loyola and the far north side of the city. I went to check out and got even more excellent advice from the cashier.. it never stopped!! At his suggestion, I bought a couple more items; gesso, etc. I paid for my items and turned around and yet another customer service employee was holding my 48" easel and 24x48 canvas ready to load it into my car, which was conveniently parked right out front!! Seriously, if you walk into the store with an idea and inspiration, the whole team will jump into action. I LOVE this store!!! Thank you so much!! read more

"Look at me, I'm Blick, I monopolize the modern art supply market in the Midwest with moderate-to-high prices and also offer dumb Lomography fisheye cameras and Warhol tote bags to further my artsy appeal BUT I WON'T CARRY ANY PHOTO PAPER." Stupid store. read more

Overall staff customer service ranges from barely helpful to combative, argumentative, and elitist. Want to feel like you don't matter and you're an uninformed, bothersome lowlife--this store is for you! Prices range from moderately reasonable to over priced. I proudly shop local--and in some cases pay a premium on the same items I can find cheaper online (with free shipping)--because community matters to me, but if you insist on providing a poor customer experience then your business will not be getting my business, my friends business, my colleges business, and has NO business being in this community. Want to try and provide some guidance to this business to course correct, good luck! I recently tried to provide the manager feedback on an unreasonable, rude, employee and he couldn't push the business card of the "general manager" quick enough into my hand and end the conversation without remotely being interested in the feedback, altercation, or attempting to demonstrate leadership himself. Disappointed? You bet! Don't even attempt to take pictures in this place for research purposes (how I would've LOVED to buy a class set of 30 books of the one I was looking at). Want to send a pic as a text message to ask your spouse if the item is what they were looking for or agree you should buy as a gift. Nope. No. It's against the "rules" and "store policy". Hm...a policy that's not documented and seems straight up archaic in the 21st Century with Amazon, other online retailers, and ubiquity of cell phones and social networking. I frequently pass by this location and see the store barely filled with customers...I wonder why? I'm a local artist, alum of SAIC, an educator, and father. I wished I would've had different experiences here, wished it was a place that was interested in customers and the community... But alas, that seems far from reality. It's a damn shame too. Shopper beware. Your results may very. read more

I have to open this review by stating that I'm writing a negative review after giving this store 6 visits to redeem itself and change my opinion. I get the fact that this is more or less the only show in town for art supplies. That gives Blick the opportunity to shine, not to drag the whole art store model down with its inability or unwillingness to deliver on what Pearl (the company that Blick swallowed up) had going for it. Pearl set the standard for large company, large inventory stores that employed knowledgable and often friendly associates. Of course Pearl wasn't without its faults and that's probably a part of the reason why we don't have them around today. I have tried to get help several times while in this store and on many occasions have been bummed out by what I encountered. Today, I had the distinct pleasure of having the manager walk by me several times without so much as a hello. When I gave up on trying to figure out exactly where what I needed was located, I spotted him again, idly doing busy work. I had to walk up to him, smile and ask him to help me. I was met with disdain and nearly made to feel like a complete dummy because apparently what I needed does not exist. My ego is not so fragile so I shrugged it off with "well it couldn't hurt to ask". Not only did this not make the encounter less awkward, but said manager turned on his heels walked away from me without even trying to think of a solution. Apparently he had already made the store's sales goals in the 1st 3 hours they were open so they didn't need any of my money. And can you please tell me what is with the no trying out the paint markers? Is your bottom line so important that you can't afford to allow people to test out a tip or a paint consistency? Rattle cans I get. -No need to get us all zooted while we're trying to buy things to make art with. But paint markers? Customer service/customer experience, awful. Inventory, halfway decent to good. Prices, high. Incentive to spend money there and not buy the exact same things online, ZERO. I'm glad all of you 4 star gift givers had a great experience. You might be singing a different tune if you had ever shopped at an ACTUAL art store with knowledgable, friendly staff. The Art Store, DOA when Blick dropped in E-Town. read more