I really wanted to like this place because it is the only locally owned art shop I have seen in ABQ. However, the selection was extremely lacking. I found none of the basic items I was looking and had to order everything online from another vendor. I wish they had more products cause I do not like shopping from Michael's and wish there was a good local alternative in ABQ. Overall I would not recommend shopping here. read more

I just moved to town and needed to start over with supplies. Good guidance from employees. Got some basics and am heading back. They also have classes. I like to touch what I'm buying. read more

The staff was knowledgable and helpful. The inventory is surprisingly comprehensive for a relatively small store. Also it feels very good to BUY LOCAL instead of supporting one of the national chains. read more

I wish I could support this store but I seldom shop here anymore preferring to buy my supplies online. I return hopefully that they have added to their inventory but am disappointed every time. Out of many basic things. Not sure what their plan is but really don't see them making it. I hope the owners read the reviews and make adjustments. read more

Several paints that I needed and wanted were not available or out of stock. It's disappointing when you're counting on a art store to have the supplies read more

I wanted to support this brick-and-mortar art supply store I had been going to for many years. Brought a friend, we are both professional artists with a long history as regulars at this location. Their inventory absolutely sucks, most of what we needed to buy in good primary color oil paints was out of stock, so the trip was more of a waste of time. Bought a 70 dollar 150ml tube of Gamblin cobalt blue, and choked on the price, but bought it anyway. Later found the same size tube, same brand, on Jerry's Artarama online for 30 bucks. Staff was reluctantly helpful, and they wouldn't honor our tax breaks at the register, as they recently separated from their Santa Fe store, (?) and told us our tax exemptions would only be honored in Santa Fe, 50 miles away. I sure miss the old store, but I especially miss Langells back in the day. Welcome to the fall of western civilization, I guess. read more

I was a customer of Artisans Taos and Santa Fe a few years back, but I haven't been to any of the stores since leaving Taos. Now that I have moved back to NM and live in ABQ, I am elated to have an Artisans Store in my neighborhood. The new owners are super polite. Upon my entry, they gave me a warm greeting. The staff is terrific to work with and attentive. Although the pricing is a bit higher than buying online, the advantages of being able to see before I buy and the convenience of being local outweigh the disadvantages of buying sight unseen. Plus, who needs to make Bezos any richer? I prefer to support local and family businesses whenever I can. Then there's the social aspect of running into other creative peeps! The staff are all artists themselves and are conversant in their individual disciplines. It's too bad there isn't a way to expunge the old reviews that do not reflect the values of the new owners. read more

Not a lot of art supplies to choose from. Very disheartening as compared to how it used to be!

I have been a customer of Artisan Santa Fe/ now Artisan Albuquerque for more than a decade and I'm sad to say that I rarely shop the store anymore, as there are SO SO many out of stock items repeatedly and it just feels like a store that is focusing it's energy on events, rather than keeping it a vibrabt and well stocked art supply store..It used to be much more well stocked and the staff actually knew about producta & or where to find them..jist more vital and engaging. There are red flags for me now that this business is struggling and the staff turnover rate is just one of the flags. I REALLY hope they figure out the economics of it and that it will thrive...but it's been a downer to shop there the last 6-7 times I have been in. read more

Artisan is under new management-woman and veteran owned. They also hold community events and art shows in the new community gallery in the lower level. This store has a lot of great products and selection. They also host a teacher night and support teachers, schools and students in the community. I definitely recommend artisan for your art supplies needs! read more

Buyer beware: Artisan supports the community with art classes and events, which is great! However, I paid $40 for a painting class, and the teacher gave NO demonstration of the advertised watercolor technique. It was just a group-paint with other novices. read more

Nice young woman helped me Store didn't have what I needed except for one thing. I had store credit from before they split from Santa Fe store. She nabbed the manager who basically ignored me and said I had to go to Santa Fe. His dismissive attitude and unprofessional manner lost me. I returned the one product and drove to and back from Santa Fe where they were courteous and had everything I wanted. Used the credit too. Never again in ABQ read more

Very pricey and a lot out of stock. Service was nice. They must have had a sale earlier because almost all the Acrylic paints were gone. Found not find white gesso either. Nor Titanium White Acrylic paint. Store nicely laid out in sections. Needs more art books read more

Really wonderful artist supply store. Great staff and dog friendly! Highly recommend!

I usually find what I need and I'm happy to be able to shop for art supplies so where besides Hobby Lobby or Michaels. I am astounded by the customer service, though. I have been in there at least 30 times just in the last couple of years and have spent a huge amount of money. VERY rarely have I even had a nod of acknowledgment when I walk in. They look up from what we they're doing behind the counter, but never even say "Hi". I almost have have a question about where to find something and if it requires someone to walk out from behind the counter, they seem to be very annoyed. One guy,who is one of the managers, I think will show me where something is, point to it and walk off. Never utters a single sound. The last time I went in, the young woman who checked me out, was very friendly and helpful. When I left, I said loudly, Thanks for being nice!! read more

One of my art friends recommended I come to artisans for some supplies, this was such an amazing recommendation The staff was kind and very informative and gave the run of the store. They have so many options from scratch boards to oil paints.I'm so happy I got to visit this store it's a little pricy but it's all worth it in the end I'm excited for my next visit . read more

I have spent hundreds of dollars every semester in this store, hundreds. I bought a product, never even took it out of the box, brought it back the next day and their reaction was weird and made me feel so uncomfortable. I wasn't even asking for my money back. I was wanting to exchange it because my friend had me the same thing as a gift and I didn't know it when I purchased it, so I took it back and exchanged it. When I walked in, with my product and receipt, I had literally bought the evening before and brought it back the next morning, I told them I had a return and none of them would even look at me. It was the strangest experience I ever had. I always bought from them before anywhere else to support local, small businesses but never again. If I can get it elsewhere? I will. They are always out of stock as well. And they are usually always more expensive, but I still supported them whenever I could. Now I will only go there if I cannot go somewhere else. And I will never feel comfortable in that store ever again. I don't guess they need the business, that's sure how they made me feel. They forget me, the customer, pays their bills. read more

Lousy inventory no help from staff, I even had one episode there when I was told if I wasn't doing business there not to enter, I spent 100 dollars there that day. prejudice, much? I don't dress fancy. read more

They have a ton of cool stuff, but the staff are real jerks. My kid is starting at UNM on her art degree and they were rude to her and very condescending. Will do our best to never return. read more

First of all, I can't believe I'm the first person to give a review for Artisan. They are a very good art supply store, and they are located in the University area. Overall the staff is extremely helpful. Have a great selection of art supplies from an extensive matt framing section to a wide variety of paints, pastels, some craft items, markers and pens of all types, and a solid selection of easels, just to name a few, and they enjoy sharing their knowledge of what they do carry. They could improve their customer service when it comes to helping with choosing matts for framing. Sure, they probably figure we're all artists in the store, but sometimes it's nice to be able to bounce ideas off of other people. They aren't a framing shop. So far I've always found what I was looking for when I've been here. They are a place an artist can depend on. read more

Great selection, knowledgeable staff, kind of expensive. I went in for some pastel paper, and a couple solvents. I think it came to 34$. Went with the quick dry Laquin after talking to the man at the counter. I was using it to blend high grade oil pastels. If you are looking for real artist grade obscure products go here. Such as high grade oil and regular pastels. Kolinsky sable brushes, Arches sheets and many other fine papers. I usually put in a order to Dick Blick a couple times a year because like many artists I am not rich. I will admit I shop at Micheal's sometimes, when I have a 50% off an item coupon. But I don't feel good about it. Though you find some weird seasonal and children's toys. read more

I come to ABQ twice monthly and always make a stop at Artisan. As noted by other reviewers, prices are somewhat higher than the online stores, but I appreciate the chance to see what it is I want to buy-- hold it in hand and get a feel for its quality. Some reviewers seem to have had bad/odd experiences with employees, but I have always been happy with customer service. Remember that art supply customers are a weird group, and one person's "attention" is another's "annoyance". The employees tend to be a little weird themselves--- another thing I like about the store. I worry that we are losing our storefronts to online giants and big box chains. I'm willing to spend the extra bucks to keep places like Artisan alive. I enter a unique and interesting environment as I walk through the front door here--- a relief from the homogenized world we increasingly inhabit. read more

This is possibly the worst art supply store ever. Stock is severely limited and the most expensive prices imaginable.

Very rarely do I drive out of my way to visit a specific store. However, Artisan sounded like a place I wanted to check out so after a long day at work I trekked a few miles out of my way to make a pit stop. Let me be clear before I go on a tirade: Artisan is an art supply store and carries a fairly decent selection of products most artists would want (although at somewhat elevated prices). It fills the shoes of an art store just fine. HOWEVER.... this is honestly one of the worst cases of bad customer service I have seen in a store of this type. The staff are downright rude and make it obvious that they feel you are inconveniencing them. There wasn't a helpful soul in this store except for another customer who seemed to know more than the staff and eventually helped me find what I wanted (which ended up being in Walmart for a lot cheaper). Beyond the abysmal service from the staff, the store is also very poorly organized. Notebooks I was in search of were scattered between multiple sections of the store and had no rhyme or reason that I could see. That doesn't mean that there wasn't a reason, just that it didn't seem apparent to me as a customer. I really hate stores like this that have a specialty product that you need but fail in every other way. These are the places that force me to want to buy everything online where it is clearly organized and I don't have to deal with people who are dicks. The only reason this place earns 2 stars is because they actually have some of the product that I expected and now I know exactly what I need when I buy it from someone else. read more

I enjoy browsing for art materials on my own, if you are looking for something specific they are helpful and informative about what they have to offer. read more

Don't listen to the hater complaining about price ya it's the most expensive but it's also the only place that carries some of the materials needed for Art an Architectural schools super great for emergencies. Not to mention the staff is fantastic and super knowledgeable. read more

I had a fabulous first experience in this well-stocked, wide range of products filled (thorough!), absolutely lovely little art supply store! I haven't been in college since 2009 and haven't taken any art classes in... well, let's just say waaaaay before that! I tried to find the items on my list on my own, but was more like a fish out of water, blindfolded. I needed help navigating! Customer service: Jessica was friendly, kind, patient, and helpful; even thought the store was busy and short one staffer (from my understanding), she thoroughly answered my questions and directed me effortlessly through the unfamiliar store. Expensive? Well, yeah, but aren't art supplies expensive in general? I mean, making art costs money. I think it's rather relative and, really, you get what you pay for. I like shopping local versus a chain. I like interacting with staff who are passionate about what they do, who use and understand the tools, and just know what they're talking about. So I don't think it's expensive, I think the experience and the positive impact on the local economy is priceless. Besides, students get 10% off, so that can keep a few five-spots in your pocket! Bottom line: I got everything on my list. I found value and I got what I paid for. I am excited to go back and explore the store even more! read more

The prices are ridiculous here. The only thing that keeps this place in business is the University art program. Otherwise, any artist knows you can get the same products online and save as much as a hundred dollars a pop. I have seen as much as 20% and 30% stacked on top of online prices from places like Jerry's Artarama and dick Blick. To make matters worse, the employees will follow you around like you are ripping them off. This place is crap. read more

I've been impressed and pleased every time I go in here. The prices are more reasonable than you'd expect from a brick-and-mortar store, and they gave a pretty good selection. The staff is nice and knowledgeable too. read more

I was passing through town and wanted some supplies, feeling creative. I called this place since I would get there close to closing. They were super nice. I had 2 people showing me stuff, they didn't rush even though door was locked. I left w great supplies and bunch of recommendations for restaurants to try. Thanks lovely people, you were super helpful!! read more

Super Ego Store!. Bad experience with service. Is very expensive and plus they have a very different policies about return or exchange items than other places. If you are not completely confident in purchasing some items, is better you go Michaels or Hobby Lobby, they are more flexible in the return policies for SURE!!!. Nobody smile and some arrogance in the ambience. read more

I have been going to Artisans for many years. The prices, the selection and ,most importantly, the staff are all exceptional. The staff are nice and also very knowledgeable about how materials can be used. This is what is valuable about this store-the staff are artists skilled in various media and they are happy to answer questions about the use of materials and techniques. The store also offers classes in art at reasonable prices. read more

Just went in here to grab some new markers , pens and some Bristol sheets . The people were friendly and helpfull . I look forward to shopping here again . Rock on with 20 billion Gobi Manchirian socks on . keep up the good work . Also thanks for not following me around the store like some dirty hippy drifter log shoplifter . Thats why we have wal-mart . read more

Excellent selection, knowledgable and friendly staff. I've been shopping here for acrylic and watercolor supplies since I moved to Albuquerque in February 18 and have always come away satisfied. read more

It's a good place to buy art supplies, staff is friendly. I only buy from them when I really need to, they are a little too expensive for my tastes and priced themselves out of my market. I buy just as good, or even better quality supplies from Amazon. Sure, there is a 2 day wait with a Prime account, but art emergencies where I need something right away are far and few between. Other than the price, it's a good place to shop but I wouldn't go there with a list of material for an art class, it would cost a fortune. read more

Wow I just bought a copic air brush system. On a test run the air brush aerosol cost $20 in air alone to cover 67 sq in. That 3/4 of a sheet of typing paper covered very lightly.(I can still see lots of white) The sales girl that claimed that she knew nothing about the system but seemed to think that was reasonable. Then one of the markers I purchased would put out a little ink if used manually but did not have enough ink in it to be used with the system they sold me the same day! She would not take the marker ($7.99) back and acted like she was doing me a big favor by offering (reluctantly) to credit me on my next purchase. When you sell products that don't work you should apologize and take the return. Instead I got an argument. YES THEY LOST MY BUSINESS and I canceled the extra equipment that I ordered. Mike Dooley read more

Good place to find those more obscure and higher quality art supplies that larger art stores just don't bother with. Prices tend to be par for stores like this and staff tends to reserved, but generally come off friendly if you talk to them. read more

Every time I go into this store I find the people very helpful, I wish the slow down in the economy hadn't forced them to cut back on their selection of products. Albuquerque NEEDS this store because Hobby Lobby and Michaels just doesn't have the help and selection of art tools and materials. Get in there and support this local store. read more

IF you want cheap art supplies, go to a grocery store. You get what you pay for! This art supply store is the best of the BEST and NOT expensive (Hobby Lobby is MUCH MORE expensive). The staff is so helpful as they are all artists and know the merchandise. They are honest, kind and a great group of people. AND, the best supplies you'd ever find, anywhere! read more

This store has the absolute worst customer service. All the employees seem apathetic and are entirely unhelpful, not to mention completely RUDE. They definitely make a customer feel as though they are a huge inconvenience when in reality there is hardly ever anyone in the store. I hadn't been back in probably 6 years but desperately needed something I thought they would carry so I went in only to be surprised that things hadn't changed in the over half decade that I'd avoided the store. Needless to say I will never go back. Truly abysmal service. read more