Great selection in a funky store located just off a main corridor thru Nanaimo. Product staples…read morelike Gesso were a little on the high side of the price scale but I suppose having availability in one place for locals is good. Some of the displays are well laid out and done very well for viewing selection options. Being from out of town the actual store location seemed a bit sketchy to me. That's just me. Owner and staff were pleasant and helpful, and more importantly, knowledgeable. All I can say is that it's an alternative to the big box art store experience.

Great art store with a large selection of art equipment. I…read morefound everything that I was looking for. The service was friendly and helpful.

Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Everything an artist needs is available here…read more Easy to find location. A small and yet extensive supply of art necessities.

The best art supply store I have ever found while traveling. Amazing selection in a small space. So…read moreexciting!!!

First point, the customer service from and staff and ownership is second to none. Theresa and her…read moreshopkeeps are warm, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Secondly, the store is thoroughly stocked with floor to ceiling materials for most any project you could conceive. World renowned artists frequent and are continual attracted to shop here for a reason! Thirdly, Rath also offers local feature window displays, quality handmade items and supports independent artists year round. They have created a beautiful community footprint! And if you don't care about any of that? Just go get your paint and be very happy with your purchase and experience!

Best art store in the city! Don't judge a book by it's cover: This place may be tiny but it has all…read moreyour artsy needs covered! The selection is smaller than Opus or DeSerres, but everything they carry is very high quality, even the things priced on the lower end, and they have some specialty items i've never seen at those other larger stores! I popped in yesterday to grab a new tube of white paint and noticed cans of specialty enamel paint for hand-lettering signs... Coincidentally I have an outdoor sign for a store just waiting to be painted, and after the owner told me the benefits of using that paint rather than plain jane acrylic i was sold! I'm so happy that i can provide one of my clients with better quality work thanks to the advice I got at Rath! Basically one of my favorite things about the place is the staff! If i have a question about anything, i'm always way more confident asking the super friendly, very knowledgeable owner about something than i am any of hired guns at Opus and DeSerres. The only thing: Don't come in here if you're looking for scrap booking supplies, tubes of glitter, jewelery making kits (etc etc!). Rath sells art supplies, plain and simple, so if your creativity falls into the crafting end of the spectrum you're best off going to DeSerres. If you aren't sure if they carry what you're looking for, just give them a call!

Took a few classes there. Meh, not impressed. The quality depends on the instructor. The art…read moresupplies and framing are over priced. Can find better deals on Amazon. Students are mostly retirees and old folk, like the owner Mark Glavina, who is a bit of a uptight fart.

Cute art shop!! I came in to buy a sketch book for a teen and the lady at the front was super duper…read morehelpful! The store is clean and has every art supply you need. Happy to come back again!

This store has everything you need for needle art -- an amazing selection of embroidery threads,…read moremetallic threads, needlepoint kits, hoops, needles, classes, and advice. They even carry some beads and notions. I am new to embroidery, and I got everything I needed here for a project at a GREAT price, much better than I could have got online, and also some much needed help with what to buy. Highly recommend! We're lucky to have a store like this on the island. :)

From the owner: Needlework and lacemaking supplies of all kinds - cross stitching, charts, books, patterns, fabric,…read morequilt fabric, threads and fibres, needles, pins, scissors, notions and lots more!