Art Ellis Supply

It was a sad, sad day when Art Ellis closed its doors for good. I’d been going to that store since the 1960s, long before University Art occupied the next block of J Street. Art Ellis was the kind of Mom & Pop store that was an icon to Sacramentans of a certain age. They sometimes had supplies UArt didn’t, but most shoppers probably ended up at UArt to have to deal with their rude staff to get the supplies they needed. It’s too bad that AE never kept their shelves fully stocked with a great selection of materials, because the shop had the potential to be a really great fine art supply store, like the ones back East or in Europe. Perhaps they could have even expanded and put UArt out of business! I am going to miss my favorite little art shop. I’m sure I’m not alone. I was hopeful that the gallery that briefly opened in the old Art Ellis building would make a go of it, but Sacramento’s art galleries are struggling to survive; meanwhile, Sac City Council forces on us Koons $ 8 million gummy bear sculpture to be plopped in front of King Kevin’s royal crown of a basketball palace. The Sacramento I knew and loved is dying.

Always come in here when I need some supplies, the owners are super nice, remind me of my grandma and grandpa, super down to earth just good people… but after I guess 45 years they are closing down shop to retire, sad face. But on to greener pastures and I wish them all the best, get your discount on supplies while they last!

I always seem to be looking for the one thing that’s «on order, arriving later in the week.» When I check back per schedule, still not there. Had this been once or twice it’d be no big deal but it seems like every time I’m on a deadline and shopping for goods I have to go down the street to University to get my full set of supplies.
Limited depth of selection, which is kind of good (just how many types of 5×7 notebook /​does/​one need?) but at the same time there’s something beautiful in contemplating the possibilities of the weird ends of product lines. Pretty much one of anything unless they’re sold out in which case there’s no backup in the «other» line.
Nice papers and pleasant staff.

This is a great little shop.
They have the most beautiful specialty papers in town. I’ve gotten numerous compliments on the paper I’ve bought to assemble my wedding invites.
Their paper expert has been incredibly helpful with tips and tricks. She’s also very forthcoming about the ability to order certain papers… or which ones the supplier is likely to be unreliable about. Their prices are very reasonable – they sell at cost!
They’ll be seeing a lot more of me over the next several months.

I lived in Sacramento for 20 years and I loved Art Ellis for paper. I never found any store with its selection in Berkely or San Francisco. I live in LA now and I load up every time I hit Sacto.
My only warning is that the woman who is one of the owners (embarrased that cannot remember her name) gets so excited and knows her stock so well that as soon as she sees that you love paper she starts opening drawers and pulling out the most fabulous papers. But I never felt pressure to buy… I always walked out with more than I intended, but I never regretted a single purchase.
Also, it is a small family owned business.

Wow. I had no idea this wonderland of crafts and art was right under my nose. I have now found my go-​to spot for holiday gift ideas, and I encourage you all to pay them a visit if you haven’t already.
Just some of what you’ll find here: a seemingly endless variety of art supplies (of course), books on everything from artists to photographers, journals, stamps, cards, stationary, school supplies, tools, wall art, etc. This is just what I saw during a five minute visit.
Plus, the staff is super helpful and professional. Double bonus!

A small art store with your basic art supplies. This place has a great source of paper and the man that works here is extremely helpful and friendly. Sadly, my roommate wasn’t able to find what she was looking for and ended up venturing to University Art instead. Apparently she says the art supplies here are a bit over-​priced? Honestly, I don’t know too much about the prices when it comes to art supplies, but I will admit that the selection isn’t the greatest.

I can’t say enough about this shop. James, Harry and Sharon bend over backwards to help everyone who walks through their door. I have changed mediums many times in my lifetime and every time I asked about supplies they knew what I needed and had it available along with recommendation and suggestions. Why would I ever look elsewhere. two thumbs up

This little mom and pop art supply store will help you find everything you need! If they don’t have it they’re going to figure out a way to get it to you. I always looked forward to trips to Art Ellis when I was a kid as my father was as much a regular as could be. Thumbs up to Art Ellis, a Sacramento staple.

I love Art Ellis! While it does carry all of the fluid acrylics I regularly use, as well as Prismacolor Pencils, etc., I enjoy this shop for the things I don’t expect to find when I go for a normal «paint run.» The service is always incredible, the staff is friendly and warm and it’s fun to just look around.
Today I went in just because I was in the neighborhood with extra time and ended up finding and buying an easel. It was exactly what I needed, even though I didn’t know it until I saw it set up.

very attentive staff. small shop. especially good for specialty papers and book making.

Very helpful staff, and a great store that has a quaint small town feel, but has a great selection of stuff for your artistic project.
Highly recommend the store and it’s staff

I have been an avid customer of Art Ellis since I moved back to California in 2005 and needed a new place to get my supplies.
When I wanted to switch from acrylic paints to oils, I went to A.E. The glorious gentleman there took the time to tell me everything that I needed, even warning me when I started picking out expensive stuff (I had a hefty gift certificate at the time so I didn’t mind spending some of it on higher-​quality materials). I was able to basically get a free tutorial along with my purchase.
I’ll be going in there sometime soon to get some more information about a new artistic frontier (for me). Even when asking other artists questions, they directed me to A.E. for answers. Clearly this well-​established shop has fans in Sacramento artisans.
Thank you Art Ellis for your existence and continued support of Sacramento artists!

Cool little art store. Very unique.

I was wandering the aisles and was wondering about the different kinds of paint and the owner showed me examples of her work in each paint and offered techniques. We had a 10 minute conversation about painting on fabric, and she pulled out examples of painted fabric pre-​washed, not washed, heat-​set… I’ve never learned so much from shopping!

In a world awash in cheap merchandise, it is becoming harder and harder to find a.) specialty shops that b.) sell fine quality *anything* and c.) have owners/​operators with a deep knowledge of the goods they sell. In this particular case, Art Ellis does all three in the realm of fine artists’ materials. I will admit, I find it a joy to shop there even though I do not consider myself an artist. It is an oasis. I had shopped elsewhere for a particular type of paint brush for use with cosmetics but could not find a quality I was happy with. I also escaped those other shops without a word from the staff. Art Ellis’ owners greeted me cordially, offered help where I needed it yet let me browse as needed. I am voting with my dollars to support this local establishment.
[And… if you Unilocalers know of other establishments like this– local purveyors of fine quality goods– message me! I am on somewhat of a quest. What I need next is the equivalent of Art Ellis but in women’s clothing.]

This little hole in the wall art store is awesome! The brothers that usually man the front are extremely helpful, funny and nice! Even though their prices can be a fraction higher than Univ. Art or Utrecht, it’s a local store that you want to support and the prices may be higher only because they usually carry very high quality supplies. I come here because they have Caviar brand watercolor brushes that I can’t find at the other art stores. These are really great brushes! They always give you a student discount too. They also have a GREAT selection of papers. I just love how this art store doesn’t try and sell you bags, toys, notebooks like Univ. Art which seems to have changed into a craft store like Michaels.

Art Ellis has a fabulous selection of decorative paper. Walk into the store, go to the back room, and look at the huge binder on the glass counter. There you will find sample swatches of over 600 kinds of paper– marbled, embossed, Florentine, natural & handmade, Japanese, lotka, and more. Bargain shoppers will love the baskets they have filled with ¼ sheets and random scraps.
The hubby and wife team that run this shop are super knowledgeable and friendly.

I walked into this store a few days ago for the first time. If I tell you «it smells like an art class» will you understand? They have their store setup as a functional artist would — not like a marketing maven would. There is rhyme to their reason.
Aimlessly I walk about and look at their pen and ink selection. Very nice. Wonder to their charcoal then paper selection then over to their acrylics. I’m then drawn back to their pen selection. Whilst I’m a wonderin’ — the storekeeper gives me space then sees me eyeballing the pens that they use of Manga and says that if I’m interested they have another pen that I might like better. Pens? oooh I’m such a pen ‘ho. Please show me. I’m handed the Pentel Brush Marker. Muy bueno! I’m in love. It’s like having a portable brush without the muss!
Being a gear babe, I snatch up the last one. She says that they can’t keep them in stock. I do my best evil villain (got the last one) laugh and I’m out the door.
I will be back to see their next recommendation is for me.

Art Ellis is the shit! I began coming here when taking art classes at American River College. They sold me some cell vinyls — the preferred paint of animators of yore.
It’s a great flexible acryclic type paint that dries fast and pretty true to the color in the bottle. I’m not sure if they still sell it (it’s been a while) because the teacher who prescribed the supplies has since retired.
The store has everything! And they KNOW how to use everything!
Knowledgable staff, great selection, and a creative, can-​do atmosphere.