These Toronto shops let you unleash your inner Picasso
Every artist needs a canvas on which to practice their genius, and luckily, Toronto has plenty from which to choose. A good art supply store should have products for every type of project, and we’ve sussed out places that cover all the bases.
Homebase
11 Camden St, Toronto, ON M5V 1V2If Banksy operated out of Toronto instead of London, there’s no doubt this would be his art supply store. Located in a heritage building near Richmond and Spadina, it caters to street and graffiti artists, stocking the shelves with spray cans galore in every colour imaginable, as well as graffiti stickers and T-shirts. This is where the artists find the tools of their trade: Montana and Kobra paints for those incredible urban murals.
Midoco Art & Office Supplies
555 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y6Although the area around Dundas and Spadina may be traditionally where artists congregate, smart art stores like Midoco have branched out into different areas of the city. If you venture out to a branch in The Beache or The Annex, you’ll find an art supplies store that’s full of everything you could possibly need, as well as artsy lifestyle products and holiday decor for that artistic flourish your friends will envy.
Articulations Inc
2802 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y5Like many Toronto neighbourhoods, The Junction has experienced a period of growth and transformation as newcomers moved in with ideas and innovation. The community vibe is felt here where art is uniting residents in a combination store and studio. Visit Articulations to buy your supplies and stay for the workshops and classes in printmaking, drawing and painting. The owners describe themselves as “creative navigators” ready to guide your journey into the artistic field of your choice.
DeSerres Danforth
1556 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4J 1N4Oh, DeSerres, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. There are four locations in Toronto. You can find just about anything you can think of here. DeSerres has custom framing available as a service. You don’t pay through the nose. And there’s an equal offering to both casual enthusiasts and serious artists, with supplies brought in from all over the world. If you’ve ever eyed Spanish pastels, this is where to go.
Gwartzman's Art Supplies
448 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2G8Step inside and you’ll feel like you’re a Bohemian artist or back in the Beatnik era of New York’s Greenwich Village because of the rustic interior and no-frills atmosphere. One of your best deals is a large canvas, which you probably can’t find for a better price anywhere else. And though it can’t be done, we dare you to try and stump the staff with art-related questions.
Aboveground Art Supplies
74 McCaul St, Toronto, ON M5T 3K2This art shop has been supplying artists and art students in Toronto since 1983. As its popularity grew, so did the size of the shop, expanding until it maxed out at 3,000 square feet and three floors. Since the day it opened, it has prided itself on sourcing hard-to-find art products so artists never have to go without (in that sense, at least). Now, there are three locations around the city, giving Toronto ready access to art supplies.
Curry's Art Store Ltd
2345 Stanfield Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Y 3Y3With multiple locations across the city, this art store is perhaps the best known by far. It also gives a hand up to students, offering them 10 per cent off if they show their student card. But what’s really neat is they don’t overcharge for their products, which include some of the best quality pieces you can buy. Whether you’re a casual shopper looking for an acid-free notebook or a serious artist needing new oil paints, Curry’s has it all.
