Art supply store in central IA (Des Moines, Iowa City: closing, live in, prices)

[Lily0fthevalley]

HI All -

I'm hunting for a really good art supply store in central IA. I'd really rather not have to drive into Des Moines. Is there one in the Grinnell, Pella or Ottumwa region?

I don't mean a hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels - but some place with really nice inks and paints and acid-free paper and matte board and nice tools.

If there's a super nice one in Des Moines or Ames or IC, do tell me about them - I guess I'll drive for really good quality supplies!

Thanks for your advice!

[capitalcityguy]

The Art Store, 801 73rd St in Des Moines (technically Windsor Heights). It is right off of I-235, so easily assessible. Only heard through second-hand comments, that this is great store. (I'm not the artsy type.)

[steel03]

The Art Store actually closed recently. I loved that place.

[Stavemaster]

Originally Posted by Lily0fthevalley

HI All -

I'm hunting for a really good art supply store in central IA. I'd really rather not have to drive into Des Moines. Is there one in the Grinnell, Pella or Ottumwa region?

I don't mean a hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels - but some place with really nice inks and paints and acid-free paper and matte board and nice tools.

If there's a super nice one in Des Moines or Ames or IC, do tell me about them - I guess I'll drive for really good quality supplies!

Thanks for your advice!

There's a Dick Blick on Clinton St. in Iowa City. There used to be one in West DM or Clive as well, but I don't think it's there any more.

Give Hobby Lobby some thought, too. There's one in Ames that has a really good selection of paper, inks, etc. Unless you're looking for something very specialized, they very likely may have what you need.

[Lily0fthevalley]

I really am looking for an ART supply store - Hobby Lobby has lots of nice plastic flowers. I've been in the store in Ames.

I'm sorry the store mentioned in Des Moines closed, it was probably what I'm looking for.

Yes, I can find what I need via on-line vendors, but have had poor results with delivery - often delicate supplies arrive bent or torn.

Surely there's a good art store somewhere in the entire state of Iowa?

[capitalcityguy]

You might want to trying checking out this website for ideas:

artsceneiowa

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by steel03

The Art Store actually closed recently. I loved that place.

fyi...A friend told me handwritten sign on the door indcates they are re-opening June 6 (today).

[AMAINS]

I am saddened to read about the ART Store in DM closing! I loved that place, when did it close? Is it temporary or forever? They had everything that I always needed. I cannot think of any other serious art stores. Dick Blick doesn't really count because they usually only dabble in student grade supplies. Try Cheap Joes online or Jerry's Artarama online. They have quality supplies at reduced prices. I love them. I live in a very rural part of IA and get to DM about once every two or three years, so I have used these online stores several times with great success.
April from Sharpsburg

[DMRyan]

Sounds like it's closed for good now. Might've been a result of internet competition and choosing a spot for their relocated store that never took off.