I love blick. this location is great in particular and in a great spot. I like how they said "good luck on your project" when I checked out. I really needed that luck read more

I normally love this store, frequent it often, and have great interactions with staff. But today the guy who checked me out (he had star tattoos under his eyes) was SO unfriendly I had to comment. He acted like he was doing me a favor to ring me up. Luckily I think he is the exception, as another person in the store was super nice and helpful, which I hope will continue to be the norm. read more

They have everything one needs to complete their artistic endeavors. I use acrylic paints. Obviously much easier to use than oil paints. And, they have every color imaginable. I also appreciate their sales force. Their associates are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Don't need to look anywhere else. read more

This fantastic art store is just a short drive away. I've come here for many reasons: from painting supplies to print-making materials. Every time, I've felt overwhelmed and unsure -- and every time, the staff has been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. That's what makes it a 5-star business for me, along with the awesome selection of products. This is place is a gem for artists, whether serious or casual (like me). Expertise and service: The biggest plus is that the staff knows their stuff and are always willing to help. What truly impressed me was I could ask literally any employee a question, and they always had the answer. I didn't matter what medium; every employee seemed to possess both breadth and depth of artmaking knowledge. Not only that, but they'll go beyond generic answers and even go into details about which specific X-Acto knife would work best for my needs and budget, or helpful tips to keep my paint wet longer. Even at the cash register recently, another employee -- busy with their own task -- overheard a question I had and chimed in with valuable insight. Bonus points: There's a Preferred Customer program to get some deals and benefits. The stock is fantastic here. Way better to go here, browse, and feel, rather than just relying on screenshots from an online retailer. Parking tip: There's a tiny, cramped lot in the back. I parked once and probably wouldn't do it again. I had a tricky experience where, on a rainy day, I precariously reversed out the tight passage, and another car proceeded to enter as I was halfway out. There are plenty of spots around the area, even unpaid if you turn into a residential area. Overall: This is the type of local store that deserves support. I'll keep coming back instead of ordering supplies online - not just for the exceptional customer service, but because because surrounded by great art supplies and artists feels inspiring itself. Hope this spot sticks around for a long time to come! read more

Come in here so often and no one speaks to me, not even a hello (black woman) but they always speak to my partner (Italian male). They will stare me down in the aisle I'm in though.. read more

The selection of brushes that I got were wonderful to used when I get home and the art paper was smooth to the touch.

I'm an art student and one of the employees, Farnaz, has been rlly amazing every time I've come in! I've gone to the Oakland Blick store so many times just to get help from her bc she always makes me feel so much more confident in what I'm buying. She always takes the time to explain everything in such a clear way and helps me find exactly what I need (or even better options i didn't think of). To be honest, she makes the whole experience very smooth. If you see this, Farnaz, thank you and much love! read more

The staff here was friendly and helpful. They all had a great vibe that made me want to visit more. The parking situation is challenging in the area and the store is one of the smaller ones. If you are local it's a great option. I'd probably go to the SF Market store since it's bigger with a bigger selection but I really liked the staff here. read more

Makana made my experience of framing a bunch of pieces of artwork so much fun. They are so kind and patient and professional. Makana helped me to make sure that the frames were absolutely gorgeous with the crazy art that I have. We had a great conversation about art history and culture. Such a great asset to Blick! Deserves a raise! I had such a good experience that I am back today to frame a few more pieces. Thank you Makana for a great experience. read more

What an amazing art store with a great selection. I come here for my coloring supplies. And to get supplies for my seniors community art class. Blick is always so generous to donate to my seniors class each year. This store location is also so chill, great staff, very low alcohol marker selection (if you are into that sort of thing), but they e got everything else! read more

Meant to go to Flax(it's closer to me) ended up here Felt too bad to change destination on my ride. ANYWAY, I must say Ernesto, please I hope that's the correct name... Is a STAR. Helped me find everything on my list. With the hiccup of coming to the wrong place, I was immediately welcomed. My smile was definitely turned upside down. Love their energy and spirit. Staff on duty today were all friendly and helpful read more

My go to art store. Always well stocked. I buy the essentials, paper paint and markers. Staff is friendly and helpful. Parking can be hard if the lot fills up. read more

Pretty standard Blick art supply store. Kind of on the smaller side, but still a solid selection.

This store has a great vibe and awesome selection of art supplies. Unfortunately, I recently had an awful experience inquiring about a a custom framing project. When I asked about approximate cost for my piece, the response was "Well, how much can you afford so we can determine if this is right for you". It was shocking and offensive. She then decided to educate me on the custom framing world which was even more insulting as it was an obvious implication that I could not afford and didn't understand the cost. The day of proving that one can afford a service is an outdated prejudice that I was shocked to have experienced in this store. As an Oakland native, I've visited this store on an off for years and hate that this happened. But felt obligated to share. BTW I actually have several custom framed pieces in my home and understand the labor that goes into the process. I will never go back, even for a crayon. read more

The staff here is exceptionally helpful....it's so refreshing to get actual customer service

I LOVE BLICKS! They are the cream of the crop when it comes to your arts and crafty needs. They have any and everything you need, from pictures frames to astrology journals. Whatever your heart desires. The service is always helpful, they come to me versus you looking for the...I won't say names, M.ch.els Blick has items in all price ranges from on a budget to blowing the bank, plus they offer student discounts, and member discounts, SWEET! I been going to Blicks and I never looked back! read more

This the go to place for me and my kids when we need art supplies and gifts for friends. Really friendly staff and there are just some really cool things to check out and explore here. read more

Decades ago, when I was teaching high school art, I used to order from Blick Art Materials through mail order. So, it was quite fun to look at all they have available in their Oakland store on Broadway, even though I wasn't able to get a ready-made mat the size I needed. They carry canvas if you want to stretch your own or if you prefer you can get ready-made canvases. They have acrylics, watercolor, and oil paints. They have a wide assortment of different kinds of paint brushes. They have too much to list. They carry materials for school projects, and basic school supplies. They even have fabric, sewing, and quilting supplies. This is a great place for supplies if you are an artist--especially if you want to see actual art supplies instead of just pictures of art supplies. read more

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I love a good art store as they are very nostalgic for me. This one is exceptional. They have an amazing selection (I found something I've not been able to find at three other stores) that is reasonably priced. My sister was thrilled to find some fancy office supplies she has only seen at one random art store in Humboldt. The staff were friendly, although the manager (I assume) seemed to be annoyed that the register system had frozen. He didn't greet or acknowledge any customers and loudly explained to the cashier what she did wrong to cause the frozen register. I understand being frustrated, but this was a bit off-putting. I stick with 5 stars because places like these are getting harder to find, and I want them to be around forever. read more

Excellent selection, very helpful and knowledgeable staff. I had a hard time limiting myself to just what I needed!

Meredith was so helpful and pleasant during the busiest part of the year. Molly is always helpful. Terrence is always helpful. The other guy whose name escapes me at the moment is always helpful. And there's another guys who's alway nice and helpful. They really make the store what it is. It's great that there are also people behind the scenes, but in a retail setting, these people are gold, worth a million dollars each. read more

Service was friendly and I liked the store overall. Good selection of some items but out of many oil paints, paper and brushes. Parking is almost non existent and that was the main drawback. read more

This is a great art supply shop. I was looking for sketch pads, and there was a huge selection of different sizes and types. The place looks like it has everything for artists. I guess the thing I'd want to know before coming is that it doesn't have a lot of crafting stuff or stationary stuff like some art places do. But there was definitely anything art related, and more. Lots of paints and paper and fun looking stuff in a kids section just to the right when you walk in. Plus little doo dads that cost a lot near the check out line... My 5 year old says, "I love the toys, there is art it's really good, I like it and it's really good." My kid wanted to buy a million things there. read more

Service was great. Product was readily available. Personnel were very helpful and knowledgeable. Costs were surprisingly reasonable. Definitely will return in the future and will recommend to my friends. read more

After being home for some time I needed my art fix. With all the things that have been going on I was excited to hear that Blick reopened. My kids was pretty juiced to get some supplies as well. Headed over to Blick saw the manager Megan Torres. Since I worked there years back I was like you remember me? She was like yes and sarcastically said "maybe we will throw a parade for you next time" This is how the interaction should have went: Hey Welcome back to Blick long time no see! Thanks for stopping by. Oh my is that your kids??!! Hey let me know if you help finding anything. But since it did not go that way I am writing this: Yes every place should be throwing parades for all customers at this time. Being condescending is terrible customer service! Displaying this attitude in front of my two little Black children is egregious!! I will take my Black dollar to a place where when I enter I am treated like I am Wanted! BLM I will never shop here again I will be writing corporate as well! read more

This is a fabulous art store. The supplies are very complete and then some. The staff are knowledgeable and willing to help. My only problem is that, when I go there, I want everything. Don't daddle, get yourself to Blick's immediately! read more

Blick Art Materials is a bit overwhelming because they have everything. Multiple choices of everything. I can spend time just wandering up and down looking at how many pens and pencils there are to choose from. Excellent store. read more

What a quick break one semester's over in class and another one ready started the summer. With a new list of art supply to get I went to the local Blick Art supply store in Oakland. I went on a Sunday around 1230 so it was not as busy as it should be. The place is huge with lots of variety variety is the material for all kind of art related project. It is close to the Academy of Art and Oakland Sol there was plenty of customer shopping even in a Sunday afternoon at 12:30. The place has a small parking lot in back of the store. The staff I asked to help me with my list was extremely friendly with in less than five minute walk around the whole store my list was completed with many different options for me to get. I have used Blicks art supply online and find it to be a great deal for students and artists I like to pick up extremely affordable art supplies compared to the other online stores. This time I came to the store in person just to check out The brick and mortar store and was extremely impressed with their customer service and a friendly staff that we have. Definitely I would come back more for art supplies here and oh yes if you are a student and signed up for their club you get a 10% student discount of all sales which was a bonus cherry on top of my wonderful shopping experience. A+ for sure read more

Great place to get good cheap frames. I do feel like creating when I'm there and that's a good feeling:)

I want to give a special shout out to Jade, the young lady who helped me yesterday afternoon: I was looking for a metallic gold paint pen and I had heard very good things about the Sakura Pen Touch pens. While she didn't have them in stock, she did have test pens for the Sakura as well as several other brands, let me compare them on scrap paper and then called their Berkeley store to check stock there when it was clear that the Sakura really was the best candidate for my project. (Had I not decided to head across town to hit the other store in rush hour traffic, I would have spared time to browse the Oakland store and buy something there.) (The Berkeley 10th Street location was busy when I got there, but had what I needed, and was similarly friendly and helpful.) Terrific, friendly customer service, and I'll be sure to shop there again in the future, especially when my local alternative is the blasted wasteland that is the Michaels at Alameda Landing. read more

I have been shopping here for years, especially when I was teaching some adjunct 101 courses in fashion at AAU. However, recently I stopped in to purchase a long list of supplies for my grad degree, to study more and hopefully teach full time. I was very lucky to work with Kevin who also has his grad degree in fine arts and Ernesto who spent over an hour scouring my supply list and sourcing all the best supplies for me so that the first day of class would be great. This kind of attention in a local store is so helpful because having worked in many, many customer service jobs, it is busy, but I could tell that Blick was well staffed and Ernesto helped me completely while juggling other customers and jumping in where needed even running to the supply room for items that hadn't yet been stocked and he had a good grasp on some of the supplies I wasn't familiar with. Thank you to Blick, Ernesto, and Kevin for everything!! Sandra Leigh read more

When I was a young lad in high school, Blick Art Materials (down in LA) was almost a second home. I loved my art classes more than anything else in HS. Anyways it was nice to visit a Blick after all these years. The Oakland location is much like the Blick's I've been to in the past, but the service was not that great. Wife was looking for something specific and one clerk said they didn't have it. When we went to the register, it showed in stock and so the register gal made a call to the back and sent my wife back there. But upon arriving the clerk had no idea what she was talking about and then my wife came back flustered. She just ended up ordering it online. A weak 4 for the experience and a 1/2 star knock down for an impossibly difficult and small parking lot in the back that you need to reverse out of. read more

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I come here annually to pick up supplies for my project. The store is well stocked with materials but quite expensive do avail of sales! I'm 50/50 on their staff- some are nice and helpful and some are not quite helpful! read more

tons of stuff for all kinds of activities! we picked up model magic and glitter for my toddler

I hadn't been here for years since I'm not an artist, but came to the Oakland store just before Christmas to buy a gift for someone who is. The woman who assisted me (didn't get her name) was very helpful as I decided among watercolor items that I didn't know much about. As a bonus I had also been looking for little stocking stuffers, and they had the best selection of such things that I'd found anywhere so I finished my holiday shopping here. (I'd considered ordering from Amazon to save the trip, but am very glad I didn't--I wouldn't have gotten the expert assistance, would not have found all the stuff I didn't know was there, would have paid more since Blick had a sale and an email discount, and Amazon's stuff these days is horribly perfumed.) read more

I love art supply stores. How can you not?? They are stocked front-to-back with things that make me happy. Thick vellum paper for ink & watercolors, pyramids of oil pastels, fancy gauche paint, markers with a metallic sheen, wooden picture frames you can decorate yourself. I've been an art-supply shopper (is that a thing...?) for many years, however, and was let down by the selection here. They carry a limited number of brands, and they lack variety. For example, if you want to buy construction paper, they only have one kind. If you want a big set of multi-color markers, you only have one option. There's a much better selection online, and the prices are better as well - although you have to pay for shipping, which makes the cost about equivalent. The art students who work here really know their stuff. Problem is, you need to go to the front desk & pester them if you want your questions answered. I generally find supply stores overwhelming (where are the pencil sharpeners?? How does one figure that out if you don't want to scour every aisle...?) and it would be really nice if employees were more available to help customers. They're really nice once you talk to them, though, and give discounts to teachers & people who work with kids. It's worth a trip here if you need some blank canvases or just want to run your fingers through some cray-pas. read more

How much I love art material and were able to find all my needs at this block , it's very rare to find one fully stocked

This art supply in Berkeley is THE best! We will bring our heirloom paintings here for framing. So far we have found professional grade supplies and also frivolous projects. Staff are knowledgeable, especially about where to find your list. Prices fair for quality choices. read more

Recently took another trip to Blicks. I still LOVE the store. Hannah was the check out lady and she was super friendly! The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that they had a limited number of copic markers refill cartridges this time. They had plenty of the markers, but for the projects i use, its all about the refill cartridges. I did find some pinata alcohol inks an i discovered that the metallica's are better than rangers mixatives, so that was a cool find. I may have to call the Berkeley local or a different store to see if they have a better selection of the copic refill cartridges as i was prepared to purchase 24 but i left with only 12. It may have been an off day, not sure. Regardless I still love this Blicks. I was just a little disappointed in the refill cartridges Selection this time around. read more

Blick Art Materials - Art Supplies Near Me - Oakland, California

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This is the third review re-write I have made today! I previously wrote a positive review and it is just missing! I love this Blick Art Materials shop - they have loads of great things for my little framing & matting projects. The prices are quite reasonable and the staff are incredibly helpful and sweet. I could browse in here for hours - the store is full of materials with the potential to create wonderful things, alas, I only lack the talent! read more