Gwartzman's Art Supplies

Great Selection and Excellent Customer Service! I recently visited Gwartzman ś art Supplies and was thoroughly impressed with the variety and quality of art supplies they offer. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, this store has everything you need—from paints, brushes, and sketchbooks to specialty items for more advanced techniques. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to offer advice or recommend products based on your project. I was particularly impressed with how organized the store is, making it easy to find exactly what I was looking for. The prices are fair, especially considering the high-quality brands they carry. One of my favorite parts of the experience was the hands-on area where I could test out some of the materials before buying. It’s clear that [Store they cares about supporting artists at all skill levels. I’ll definitely be returning for my future art needs and highly recommend this store to anyone looking for reliable, top-notch art supplies!

A truly unique and friendly art supply store! There are so many things to explore here that I’ve never seen before - inks, papers, and watercolours made by Indigenous people using natural materials and no plastic. Wow! This shop isn’t just a well-run, family-owned art supply store - it’s an experience.

Beautiful art supply store with a nice selection of supplies. You can find some nice deals here and unique tools that are difficult to find in other places. This store has been here for a long time and it's always a pleasure to visit. The staff is also super nice!

i had the loveliest time in the world buying new watercolors here. their prices are reasonable, and there's so many interesting items they have in stock! i love being able to look at items and feel them before buying them, and i love knowing i'm supporting a local business :)

They cut both canvases the wrong size and they do not fit the stretcher bars. They do not exchange, so if you are getting canvas cut make sure to add an extra 3-4 inches of give because they cut to the exact size regardless of your stretcher order. One of the stretchers was missing, so make sure you have all of your items before you leave. The store was cute and I thought they would understand that a mistake was made.

I looked all over Toronto for a very large stretcher for a canvas I had and not only was Gwartzmans the sharpest price, the quality and workmanship is top shelf, second to none! I was actually blown away with the fit and the actual wood, which didn’t have a single flaw. I do a lot of my art supply shopping here and I am always impressed with the staff and the help they provide.

Amazing selection! I managed to find a sharpener i wanted here instead of Amazon lol. And it was cheaper! They don’t carry promarkers anymore but they still have a great selection of alcohol markers. I was thoroughly impressed with their fountain pens! I don’t use fountain pens personally, but it was nice to see that you’re able to test them out. They carry some brands here that big box stores don’t usually have, like Caran D’ache and Kuretake. The huge range of Golden Acrylic paints was also nice 😆 I’ll definitely have to look again next time. The staff were very nice and answered all my questions too!!

Gwartzmans is definitely a cut above the average art supply store... they will have speciality items there that Michael's and DeSerres won't have. An iconic Toronto business, definitely prefer to shop here if possible....

Gwartzman's is my "go to" store and has been for 40 years! Great reno and new online shopping.

Friendly service and a a ton of art supplies can be found here at this staple of Spadina and art and architecture students alike. From RHODIA notebooks to Kaweco pens, they have it here. Although they have apparently discontinued carrying the RHODIA line they still have a good about of supply and are offering them at 50% off. Sweet deal! They also have tons of paper supplies and rare or harder to find Japanese pens and other ink supplies. Prices are good, staff is helpful! Worth the trip!

Selection is fantastic and the store clerks know what they are talking about. Good sales too

Friendly and knowledgable staff. The store was very well-stocked and huge selection of items on sale. Even though I no longer live downtown so a trip to Gwartzman is a bit of a luxury for me. The only downside is the prices - they are no longer as competitive with other art supplies stores. I remembered they had the best deals in downtown during my student days at OCAD but now things have got more expensive compared to a couple other downtown stores. Still a legend in Toronto and the staff knowledge, the location and the customer service can't be beat.

Such a great art supply store in the city! It's a small store, but they have SO many items. Everything from architecture supplies, paints, and sculpting, you name it. It's right by the UofT campus, which is fantastic for students who are close by and need to find some art supplies. I'm not sure if they still do this, but they also do 10% off student discounts. Everything is already quite affordable (compared to other art supply stores), so making a stop here is definitely worth it! The staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. If you tell them about a project you're working on, they will quickly make suggestions for what kind of supplies you may need! Love this place so much

If you are looking for affordable art supplies, this is the right place to go. Just bought a Canson 12x18' watercolour paper and wow, the price is not even remotely comparable to Amazon. And customer service is amazing too!

Worst place ever, A few days ago I ordered online Some canvases, and they left the order in other place not at my house!!!! , I called them to see the situation and they asked for my phone number tocall me when they have an answer, they never called me and now they don't answer me

i've been buying canvas and paints here since art school years back in the late seventies. have never been disappointed with the quality and bargain low prices. it is the highlight of my day when shopping at Guartzman's. enjoy the sales people, know a couple by name. great little conversations, always feel like I'm not just another customer. Not easy to find shops like this these days. kudos to Jacklyn for holding her dad's torch.

With no shortage of art stores and supply shops in the downtown core, it may be difficult to know where to start to meet your artistic needs. Shiny stores with pretty displays line the streets, attracting many students, but the price is never as good as it is at Gwartzman's. Firstly, all students with an ID card get a favourable discount on everything in the store. For a student on a budget, in need of art supplies of all kinds, Gwartzman's is the best choice, by far in the Spadina/College area. Secondly, whether you are a visual artist, a student of architecture or design, or a simple art supply lover, Gwartzman's shop is jam-packed with just about anything you may need from paper, paint, brushes and canvas stretching. The store basically is like a class room art closet; gritty, no frill, and crammed full of just about anything. Lastly, the staff at Gwartzman's are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about all facets of art and supplies needed. I've shopped at Gwarztman's for years and can say with all honesty that it is one of my favourite art stores in the city.

I have nothing but good things to say about this art supplies shop. The elderly gentleman helped me find painting supplies for my sister's birthday and I didn't know WHAT to get; I'm no painter. He even switched up the items a lot to give me the best bang for my buck. When I told him that my sister painted dogs he was very touched and that touched me (not sexually, come on now!). I purchased some heavy duty items and it came to just under $50 which is half of what I expected to pay. I'm glad the store is in Chinatown cuz the prices are low but surprisingly the quality is still high unlike that place across the street where I got 3 for $10 leggings. All of their leggings have camel toe installed at the front. Don't lemme catch anyone buying the white camel toe leggings after this warning! 5 Stars!

Gwartzman's smells like paper, which is the smell of contemplation and fulfillment. It has a huge pen selection, lots of paint...basically it is a store full of very affordable art supplies. The true delight here is the welcoming, truly helpful and friendly staff. I buy their sketchpads (cheap!) their fancy pens, the ink brush pens, the inks, the novelties, the glitter glues. I *almost* buy the line that they're taking 10% off just for me. But you know when I am there, I truly believe in the goodness of life.

I've walked along this stretch of Spadina many times and never noticed this place until recently. The store is a little shabby looking from the outside and the interior is very...eclectic. They have packed a ton of stuff in here and I have to agree with the previous reviewers on some of the deals you can find. Check this place out first, then go to your normal place if you can't find it here.

They have everything you need AND at great prices. Obligatory Title Pun: May the GWARTZ be with you. Menu Readability: n/a Need to Mention: Look here first for what you need. I've found some unbelieveable deals. What this place teaches me about myself: I'm still addicted to art supplies.

The dude that helped me was weird and I was into it. They know their shit and I would recommend to anyone. The only thing that threw me off was when he gave me a running total after a couple hundred dollars worth of stretcher bars which made me second guess buying more but luckily we went across the street after to mothers dumplings (another 5 star spot) and I managed to call in a canvas order 2 mins to close.

BEST PRICES IN THE CITY! Found this place just by happenstance and went in with my hubby to get him some canvas and paint. Can't say it enough, PRICES ARE AMAZING! I don't almost want to yelp for fear that they get so busy and the prices go up! LOL That being said everyone working there was very friendly and helpful, and I'm not sure what others are saying about the owner - he was absolutely delightful and smiling and chatting with me! LOVE THIS PLACE! Can't wait to go back!

I love this place so much, it's a trip that I look forward to making every time I go. The staff here are excellent and always so helpful. They take the time to answer my questions, and ensure that I'm getting the best bang for my buck. They show genuine interest in my projects and have actually had a huge hand in encouraging me to develop my artistic practice. I always leave this place in a better mood than when I came in. Thanks for being so awesome, Gwartzman's!

This has become my go-to place after shopping around for art supplies. I do plenty of resin castings, and this was the only place that had the entire selections of resins, moulds and other accessories that I need for my projects in one place. Like others have said, the prices are excellent. The staff I've encountered we're also extremely helpful with finding what I needed. Tall people won't have problems though.

I went to Gwartzman's since I was a child and then moved away out of the city. I laugh that a lot of complaints are that the staff are rude. I kind of like the vibe, it reminds me of New York or Paris, no fuss, no muss. I recently came back to Toronto and I find a lot of the competing art stores sorely lacking for professional supplies. So I returned. The staff were very friendly, and frankly.. they have the best selection. I'll be returning since I do need a few more rare, hard to get items.

Sales crew is mostly family members that do not seem happy to be there - feel sorry for them. They all looked bored to hell including the cashier with gigantic glasses. On the other hand, The sales service provided by the more mature guy is exceptionally good.

Without a doubt the best place for painting supplies. Knowledgeable staff and of course Mr G and his daughter make the place. I go for great prices and practical answers.

Good store with good canvases, but awful service. I stopped one day and one the staff members (too bad I don't know his name) it was very nice and helpful, I'm not an artist but I was buying for a friend... I returned on the next day to actually make the purchase and some of the staff was looking up and down on me just because I'm not the average artist.... or dressed like one I guess... the store manager was rude at check out... I almost walked out thinking that they didn't want to sell to me... I spent over $200 by purchasing a few large canvases and it would been nice if they gave me a hand in loading in the car or even holding the door so I could walk thru it, especially because it was raining... very disappointed on service :(

I have been shopping here for almost 20 years, no kidding, time flies :) I always come back for very impressive selection, constructive advice and reasonable prices. Now I bring my kids here too.

Been a customer here for 15 years. The staff are friendly, especially James who has been there for a while and always sees to my needs. Its cheap so what more do you need. Mr G is a wonderful, grumpy, opinionated man who can smell bullshit a mile away. I have lived in many neighbourhoods over the years but will always go the extra distance to Gwartzmans!

Have been shopping at Gwartzman's for 45 years since my OCA days............ Best Canvas,Boards prices and Microcrystalline Wax Always Love to get a smile out of Mr.G.....He knows it All. Everyone gets a Discount whether you are a Artist or Not.

A real piece of Toronto History- Great selection of Art Products and amazing for artists, architects and designers. The Canvases and Panels are the Best selection in Canada. If you want to see a real art store it is a must and a great part of town. The prices are Incredible! and the staff is really helpful and knowledgeable. The prices are way better than any other art store in Toronto and you always see someone famous there . Matt Dillon was there when I was shopping!

Customer service is great. Prices are by far the best! I will always go here first, and if I can't find what I'm looking for, then I'll go to Curry's/Michael's/Midoco/etc.

Do not be fooled by it's gritty exterior... and interior. Gwartzmans has been my go art supply store for about 2 years now. As an architecture and design student I am always on a budget, and gwartzmans has become my go to store. Their prices are unbeatable, they carry quality products and three staff is incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and welcoming. A hidden jewel of Toronto.

Great place, all staff members are so cool!! Things I got here are great and there are always special deals here. Love this place so much

prices are usually lower here than the other art supply stores left in town, but i'd say that while James is a peach and knows his stuff, only about half the staff are genuinely helpful (and frankly, i could do without the trademark Mr G gruffness). usually some sort of super good deals on odd sizes, weird supplies and obscure brands.

i'm a fan of this store. they don't have a massive selection, but they are very nice and helpful. prices are better than the chain art stores (loomis, curry's, aboveground). if it's a normal art supply, they will probably have it-- but don't expect any frills.

Great store, great service. I've been painting in Toronto for 20 years since came to the city as young girl and always shop only here. Tried most art stores in the city but none as good. Not even close.

still a good place to head if you want a deal, BUT: mostly bad, rude service many of the paints are stocked BEHIND the counter, WTF??? thanks for making it hard for me to shop your store.

A great place to get art supplies on a budget. The atmosphere is a lot more rugged than your average Loomis but you can get all the same items. A very helpful staff make it easier to locate things in the small cramped quarters that is Gwartzman's.

This is my favorite art supplies store in the city. Even though the store is not the biggest and the selection might not be the greatest, but I will never buy art supplies anywhere else. I want to say thank you to sales people who work there, they are very knowledgeable and friendly. Great customer service. And their prices are probably the lowest!

Came here as a student in the 70's and man was I surprised to find that Gwartzman's is still there while visiting the city and taking a stroll down Spadina. The place is still the same - same lovely smell when you walk in the door and just as it was 40 years ago - the best prices anywhere. I bought a portfolio for my daughter for half the price I'd have paid at my local spot in Ottawa . Staff was helpful, knowledgeable and friendly - Mr. G. still standing behind the counter, endearingly gruff as I remember him. Sweet ! So good to see that some things stay the same.

Gwartzman's is a pretty decent art supply to go to. While I used them only once for a specific local need (foamcore boards in this case) I suspect they have a constant positive customer service acumen. In fact, this particular order had some third-party delivery errors but it was Gwartzman's that took the responsibility for it to adjust for someone else's wrong. A good call in my mind; I walked away as a satisfied customer and will be back to them.

I've been going to Gwartzman's for over twenty years. I'll be saddened when it no longer exists. If you don't like this shop, if you have a problem with Mr. Gwartzman, as some do, newsflash- the problem is You.