Celino is a Gainesville treasure -- if you're a starving college student, go to SoMa to buy some art supplies, but if you're not, then go buy one of his pieces (for which he really should charge an awful lot more, so you don't need to be a one percenter or anything like that). read more

I needed glow-in-the-dark paint to do my art, and a friend told me to go check this place out. It is in an old warehouse on South Main st (SoMa) right before the Cade Museum. The owner sells mostly to architecture and art students, but that is not all he has. He is a painter, and post-industrial lamp-maker! "What is that?", you ask. He takes ordinary objects that people see as junk and turns them into the funkiest one-of-a-kind lamps you will ever see! Some of them look like bugs, some look like robots, and some are just ...well... unique! This place is a Gainesville original!!! He makes his lamps from: guitars, microwave glass plates, fixtures, cars parts, brackets, or most anything that has used up its usefulness (post-industrial), and most people want to throw away! Just to see what he comes up with is amazing! When I was there, he was working on a lamp made from an old tuba! Yes! A TUBA!!!! You have to see this place to understand. He has a corner strewn with parts for his lamps. Wmay see junk, but he sees light!! I bought two jars of paint for my art, shook his hand, and said I'd be back to see hiw the tuba comes out! Check out the pics! Update: I went back amd bought a teach-yourself-to-draw book, and now I am drawing for the first time in my life!! Wow!! read more

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This is a cool little art supply store run by a cool guy. If you need some basic art supplies give this guy your business.

Celino runs a top notch store. I've been a customer since the shop was at it's previous location. The pros of the new place are more open space and light. The cons are folks loitering outside the store and their attitudes. Some are angry for no apparent reason and quite aggressive. That's a shame because this is a great business! read more

We went in and were delighted to find the prices for art supplies were the exact same for products found on amazon or other places but the experience is much better. Attentive, relaxed service with extremely knowledgeable artists. I'm so happy to support artists directly vs another big corporation! read more

So happy to shop on South Main Street for art supplies. Celino is super friendly and helpful! He can also order materials as needed. He is a creative artist himself and fun to talk with about art projects. Drop in and chat anytime! read more

When Central Florida Office Plus closed down, Gainesville was in dire need of an art supplies store. Magnum Wood, which once carried a good selection of drafting supplies and some art supplies, is moving away from the business and Michael's Arts and Crafts has an utterly dismal selection of actual art supplies. Thankfully, SoMa has stepped in to fill this void. The shop just opened for business and they are still getting a lot of their stock in, so there are some things they do not as of yet have on board, but be patient as one of the owners told me they are getting a lot more things in soon and they've been posting some of the new arrivals on their Facebook. What they did have when I was there however is a very impressive start: they carry a great selection of watercolor and other papers, enough of a selection of drafting supplies to meet the needs of architecture students (who really are the main target for such supplies these days) and just about everything else that artists and art students will desire. Again, if they don't have it in yet, I feel confident they will soon. One thing that really impressed me is that they are carrying the QOR line of watercolor paints. I have been using Winsor & Newton watercolors for years but the owners assured me that QOR is even better and after buying some, I have to agree I'm impressed. The physical space is large and their layout is such that some items and displays are stocked near the center of the showroom and some around the walls, which means no aisles and plenty of room to walk around and see everything with ease. Overall, I'm very impressed. read more

This bright, well-stocked artist supply shop has paints, brushes, canvas, balsa wood, protractors, sketchbooks -- all the things an art student or artist needs. The owner is knowledgeable about everything. If you were ever disappointed when you went looking for serious art supplies around Gainesville, you can just come here next time! The shop is easy to find on South Main Street, a short way south of the Civic Media Center and Citizens Co-op store. There's lots of FREE PARKING behind the shop. Police cars park there, so it's probably very safe! They are even open Saturday AND Sunday until 3 p.m. read more

I love the staff and often get canvases here. I've been coming and shopping at SoMa since before they moved to their current location. While I like the move in general, one draw back or concern I have, is the homelessness that congregates in front and around the building. I've seen it trashed and smelling like urine, and one time a man was laying next to the sidewalk with his genitalia out in the wide open. I support this store SoMa, but would like to see it feel safer to get to. read more

YOU MUST GO TO SOMA! It is one of Gainesville's finest gems and a locally-owned and operated haven for all kinds of artistic inspiration. SoMa is a space for artists and community members to meet, shop, share ideas, and learn about local arts events. They will give you a cup of coffee and answer any question you may have about the stock or new creative opportunities! SOMA is also a gallery space for local artists to exhibit, has the best monthly receptions during ArtWalk, offers professional advice for people new to exploring creativity through visual arts as well as to established working artists, and there is ample convenient parking in the heart of Gainesville's up and coming "Depot Park" district. The owners are both working artists - Celino as a self-taught artist and Charley as a professionally trained painter. They bring different mediums and perspectives creating a beautiful balance in the shop with an excitement and enthusiasm that matches their creativity and passion! read more

Gainesville is so blessed that this art supply store has opened in the South Main Art District. It's a beautiful location, with great art and a friendly vibe. Local artists were severely lacking in quality art supply sources since CFOP closed a year ago. Thankfully we now have SoMa Art Media Hub, owned by two long-time Gainesville artists who are buoying up the local artist community. The owners REALLY? know their stuff, too, and are happy to share that knowledge. You can't beat the customer service, or the quality of art supplies available. I am a painter, and needed some hard-to-find items. SoMa had most of what I needed, and what they didn't have they ordered and had for me in just a couple of days. SoMa Art Media Hub is a gem, and I hope all of our local artists make a point of getting their supplies through this fine establishment. read more

Was so glad to find a new art media store after Central Florida Office Supply closed. I don't like going in big box stores that smell like cinnamon, eucalyptus, and plastics. It makes me ill. SoMa Art Supplies has what you need without the smells, and you don't have to look up and down endless isles for your media. There is also always someone to help with advice and finding things. Happy to see the store thriving and evolving with even more cool art supplies. Please support this local art store. read more

Fantastic supply store owned and operated by local artists who work tirelessly to meet the demands of the artistic community of Gainesville and the surrounding areas. You never feel you are in an impersonal corporate-store environment. They welcome their customers as friends and colleagues, and there is a year-round 50% off sale on canvasses that can not be beat. If they don't have something a customer needs (which is rare), they're happy to order it. Also, they partner with other local arts-oriented businesses and you'll always see local artist works adorning the walls of the fengshui-designed interior space. Talk to Charlie and Celino, the owners, and keep making art! read more

The second you walk in to SoMa Art Media Hub you know you are in a different type of art supply store from the big box stores that have no staff and what staff they have is not knowledgeable. Charley and Celino have many years of art studies and product usage, so when you ask a question they aren't clueless. They are very supportive of the arts in our community and even offer space for artist to display their works. As a working artist that needs supplies often it is so exciting to know there is this SoMa to go to. They are well stocked with art goods and if they don't have what you need they will order it. read more

I'm not saying Gainesville was completely lacking art supplies but , Gainesville was very close to completely lacking art supplies. SoMa fills the void left behind when Central Florida Office Supply closed and surpasses what was on offer there. Prices are insanely reasonable - canvas is 50% off retail which means that you can buy that giant freaking canvas without going broke. They have an incredible catalog that covers 99% of my needs and what they don't have the owners (who are incredibly knowledgable) will order with no problem. The layout is clean and easily navigated- you can tell thought went into creating a space that encourages creativity without jamming a store with an overwhelming mesh of products. What SoMa carries are carefully curated, fantastic lines at beyond good prices. Gainesville has a plethora of artists and it needed a space owned by local artists who understand the needs of the clients- SoMa provides that. They'll also provide some really good coffee if you need a kick start. read more