Blick Art Materials

Good for specialities but stock materials are marked up by a lot

I used to live in this neighborhood and I never knew that this gem existed! It’s an unassuming storefront right next to West Elm. You enter the front door and you head downstairs to the massive, open store!
My friend and myself were immediately welcomed by the friendly staff upon descending the stairs. They were able to point us in the direction of our art needs.
I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of supplies they possessed in their inventory. I was there for paint supplies and I had a plethora of choices, including their own store brand supplies!
They strive to have competitive prices with the leading brands and they will price match those items for you.
All in all, I would definitely recommend stopping by Blick for your art supplies!

First time to the infamous BLICK art supplier in center city Philadelphia. Bright, beautiful, and clean. Friendly greeting as soon as I descended the stairs. Great variety, prices reasonable and comparable to online vendors. Overall pleasant experience.

Well stocked store and friendly staff. They played Reggae which was a refreshing choice to pick out brushes to.

I am no artist. I just needed some paints and brushes to make my Halloween costume. This place is impressive! I found some paints that were priced right and a variety pack of brushes that were less expensive than I expected (~$ 5) I would imagine that this is also a great place for serious painters. There is a framing shop and some craft supplies as well. You can always get 10% off if you get their reward card, which they offered me upon checkout. Because Blick has so much selection, I was a little lost at first. I almost left because I couldn’t find anyone who was available to help me. Finally someone did assist me, and he was very friendly. I do plan to return to check put their tie dye supplies! Also, my costume turned out great with the Blick brand paints on poster board.

A nice selection of art supplies. Usually when I go with a coupon the supplies that I need are sold out. Its very annoying. Coupons don’t come out frequently and products are overpriced.

Truth be told, I was a loyal Utrecht girl before the merger, and wasn’t sure how I would feel about the transition.
As far as I can tell during my last 3 visits, everything is going smoothly.
Everyone is so helpful! Someone is always available to answer a question.
I’m glad the Utrecht oil paints and many other Utrecht products have been integrated into the selection.
Also, I have never had anything professionally framed before, but had to do so last week for work. It was a great experience from the selection to the quality of the framing. And the guy helping me (Justin, I think) was so helpful in recommending different mats and frames to complement the photos.

Pros: Very well organized, and staff is very helpful and accessible. Clean, brightly lit, huge store, great prices and good sales if you catch them. Discounts for students/​teachers and mailed coupons if you sign up. For Philly, it’s probably your best bet for art supplies. Centrally located.
Cons: Limited selection on certain items, such as illustration markers and watercolor paints. They seem to gravitate toward some brands like Prismacolor, which is not my favorite marker, but it’s branded on their shopping bags, so I guess they don’t stock many other brands due to marketing conflicts. Many items are out of stock. This happens all the time. On my last trip, they were out of a marker, a pencil, and a pad I needed.
Things that don’t really bother me but might bother you: Strong security presence. They have a bag check policy so beware if you are toting your priceless Fabergé egg collection. Also, I have spied security people trailing customers who are slowly browsing. Also, lots of things are locked up like markers and paints, which is a P.I.T.A. if you’re in a hurry. But again, this is smack in the middle of the city, so I’m sure there are lots of thefts.

Do art students steal a lot? Because the crowd that runs this joint has this place on lockdown. Fo’realsies. After you check your bags, you then run into employees hiding out in the aisles lookin to see if you «need anything» and honestly, probably lookin to see if your ass be filchin’. [quote me on that] I’m like a nervous rabbit in here: I keep thinking I’m robbing the store every time I hold something in my hands.
Other than the whole art-​kids-​are-​broke-​and-​so-​they-​must-​steal hypothesis I have formed (or maybe it’s a Philly thang?), this place is pretty darn wonderful. It’s HUGE! I’ve brought my supplies list from the one art class I took and the guy took it out of my hands and literally walked me through every last thing and answered all my questions thoroughly. And they even have stuff for the not-​so-​serious art side of me. In fact the whole front section of the store has really cool wrapping paper, stationary, pens, random fun gift-​type items, etc. I come here every now and then because I have a secret pen fetish that Staples can not begin to satisfy.

I have been in this store a few times.
I came in this time knowing what I wanted an found something else that I didn’t know was there.
I would like to thank Kate for helping me find the pencil extender I was looking for.
I would also like to thank the gentleman that helped me with the notepads, I didn’t get his name.

I prefer to avoid this place. I’m just tired of being treated like a criminal and asked to leave my bag behind the counter (a very expensive bag full of computer equipment). It’s one of the few places in the area that actually has that policy… as if art supplies are a primary target for thieves — perhaps for desperate art students who can’t afford to pay off their student loans?

Whoah, dude. This is like an underground department store of art supplies!
Looking for something to do with art-​making? Yes, they probably have it. Like, «three different brands of fabric dye to choose from» have it.
Although I will always mourn the loss of Utrecht on my favorite corner of my favorite city, I am glad to have Blick it town… the idea of ordering art supplies online is just weird to me. And I will definitely be inquiring about their large format printing at another date and time.

No matter how you paint it, a monopoly is a monopoly is a monopoly! Shame on you Dick Blick! Not only do you buy Utrecht, but you lay off many of the staff and close both Utrecht stores, further limiting the options for all those who are serious about their craft, and not so serious.
You also have more control of the prices, which means you can rip all we starving artists off more than you already do! Being the Walmart of the art world allows you to manipulate the market as you see fit. This not only hurts the buyer, but companies who wish to sell their products in your stores. In order to move product, said companies must acquiesce to your demands.
What does Blick care, right? This is a business venture, not a passion for arts and culture!
Don’t be fooled by all the bells, whistles, and bright lights! This is yet another example of how this country is broken, and how antitrust laws continue to be conveniently ignored by equally corrupt politicians.
That said, support Artist and Craftsman Supply! Located on Market, near 3^rd, Artist and Craftsman is employee owned, not corporate driven! And no, I don’t work there.

Love this store. It’s big and open and has lots of art supplies. They also have a nice section of gifts and knick knacks.
Bring your school ID if you have one. They have great discounts for students and teachers!

This store is beautiful.
Located right next to West Elm, Blicks takes you down a staircase into a high ceiling’d colorful organized explosion of everything you’d ever need to be an artist.
Their selection of canvases amazing — ranging from thin and thick to tiny and ginormous. There’s even a canvas roll in the back of the store so you can make your own — just like college you guyyyyys.
My personal expedition was to find foam board to mount a ginormous 3’x4’ picture onto. When I called, they were extremely friendly and helpful and the price wasn’t bad. I got a huge foam board of 40“x60″ and couldn’t fit it in the car. The employees were so nice they lent me their box cutter and a yard stick so I could cut it down to size in the store. I think it might have been a liability for them to do it themselves?
Anywho, it’s a great store and I’d much rather walk here than drive to AC Moore… and Pearl was always so far away. Plus, right now they have a google offer out there for 30% off your non-​sale purchase — you’re welcome!

Conveniently located right in Center City — but pricey and a limited selection on items my 8 year old artiste actually uses. Great in a pinch — and get the student card for a discount (which makes it worth it).
We shop here, Pearl (now closed), Uterecht, AC Moore, Michaels, JoAnnes Fabrics and lots of other places for crafting supplies, canvas, paints and brushes.
We even get the kiddo her own French Easel (but not from here!) — so she can apply to Studio Incamminati when she’s ready.

How have I passed by Blick so many times and not go in?!
I was on the prowl for lead refill for my drafting pencil and decided to stop by. There was more than I could have imagined! Not just art supplies but cute random stationery goodies as well.
I must have been here forever just browsing through everything. I will have to come again! Plus they had my refill: D

HOLY
CRAP
ART
SUPPLIES
I have no other words. It is that amazing.

I love this place! I needed supplies for this art project that I’m doing, so I searched online to see the closest store near my hotel. Thank goodness the Unilocal app has a GPS locator otherwise; I would not have been able to find this business because it was challenging to find. The store is next to Lucky Strikes bowling alley, and it is in the basement. So If, you are searching for this place just look for Lucky Strikes.
I love that the shop is well stocked and well organized. It is also very clean and spotless. I went to pick up some découpage glue and a magnet sheet, so I could finish my project. I’ve been collecting my hotel key cards and wondering what I could do to recycle them, so I turned them into something cool and made refrigerator magnets. (See my photo for the finished product!)
Prices are remarkably reasonable, and employees are friendly and helpful. I am in Philly a lot, so I will certainly be back again.

This Christmas I decided to have three 18×24 prints framed.
I called ahead before stopping in and Sharon was incredibly helpful. While talking with her about my order she informed me that they were running a 50% off custom framing special and that Blick is dog friendly.
I showed up one hour before closing time with my dog in tow. Sharon presented me with several choices based on my initial ideas. She was sensitive, thoughtful and cost-​conscious.
Within less than 4 days my frames were ready to be picked up.
The store is huge and clean. While waiting for my frames I noticed some cute Japanese erasers (bakery sets, mini sushi, etc) and a wall full of handmade papers.
I’d choose Blick over Utrecht any day!