Gwartzman's Art Supplies
A tour of Toronto art supply stores (if there was such a thing) wouldn't be complete without a stop at Gwartzman's. Located on Spadina on the edges of Chinatown, it's about as fun a place to shop for art supplies in the city as there is.
The long, narrow store, which has been around forever, oozes character with its worn, hardwood floors and its cluttered walls. At the back of the store is the raison d'etre for coming here - huge slabs and rolls of primed and un-primed canvas. They've got primed and ready sizes here that simply won't be found elsewhere in the city. In fact, some stores in Toronto actually buy their canvas directly from Gwartzman's.
What else is here? There is the usual assortment of paints, pastels, and sketch books, all at discount prices, but the selection doesn't rival what can be found at places like Aboveground and Wolfitt's. But for UofT students it's a short walk and better alternative than College Street's Toose.
Plus, it's more fun and you just might bump in to the original Gwartzman himself!
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Fantastic. It's MUCH bigger than I thought it would be.
I first set foot in Gwartzman's probably 23 years ago and it's great to see in today's era of pre-packaged corporate priced products. Probably one of the few places I'd go out of my way to visit even if it were just for the atmosphere.
Giant brown-paper sketchbook for $2? Whaaat?!
alot less cheaper then the art store an yonge and eglinton........
the best,
most affordable, great selection of canvas, awesome quirky stuff..... and the always charming :) Mr. G
I've sworn by them for years
I have been going to Gwartzman's for years but I will not be going back. Mr. Gwartzman made a mistake on a number of canvases I had custom ordered - the canvases came back as wood panels which I had no use for. When I asked for my order to be made as I had originally requested he said he would put through the order again. I called back two weeks later to check on the status and I was informed that MR.G decided he wasn't going to have them made for me! He didn't bother to tell me this. If he had (even though it would be an unprofessional thing to do - make a mistake and refuse to correct it) I would have had time to go elsewhere. I ordered them well in advance, and now my work is not going to be ready for an upcoming exhibition. I will NEVER go there again. What horrible business practice and lack of customer service.
a followup to the last post - I spoke to Mr. Gwartzman after he refused to make the canvases he committed to making over a month ago.
After a heated conversation, he reluctantly agreed to make them, and I have them in my hands 3 days before my exhibition opens. Not sure this is a happy ending, but thought it was only fair to follow up.
HOURS OF OPERATION??
Best art store in Toronto, if looking for basic sketchbooks, drafting supplies, pencils/markers/pens of all kinds and even rolls of mylar! The products are affordably priced; if looking for solely any of the products above, Gwartzman is a must!
But the praise ends here. The selection is lacklustre; products that are slated to be in stock are not in stock until very late. And lastly, although rare, the quality of the products are questionable. So if shopping here casually, you are likely taking chances getting products you need at good quality.
Went there on Sat Fe 27/2010. It was amazing. Mrs. G helped out and the 3 yards by 3 yards unprimed SOOO CHEAP. The student type GESSO to prime it, almost TWICE the amount offered by Aboveground for -get this- $5-6 CHEAPER than the price quoted at Aboveground!!!! Will not go anywhere else at all, EVER ... except if the selection (AND PRICE) works out better
Prices are good. Quality is often very low. Customer service is often poor. Know what you want when you go there. Don't respond to suggestive selling.