Sculpture Supply
Sculpture Supply may not be as much of a household name as Gwartzman’s or Curry’s, but it’s as long-standing, expert and reliable of an art supply store as either.
Open in this location since 1993, they’re affiliated with adjoining MST Bronze, which has been in business as a foundry providing material for large-scale pieces for over 35 years.
However, whereas MST is a custom business, Sculpture Supply is open to absolutely everyone. “Sculpture” covers all 3D works, and this store assists those from complete beginners to master artists with projects of all varieties.
Sculpture Supply imports freeform carving stones sold by the pound like Italian White alabaster, Spanish alabaster and soapstone.
Pricing depends on the source, but for these types of stone, can be as low as $1.25 a pound.
Much of the alabaster is stored in a shipping container out back that you have to get specially opened for you by a staff member. You’re free to pick any stone you want and the staff will handle it for you so you don’t hurt yourself, seeing as some stones weigh 50, 60 or even more than 100 pounds.
Of course, they also sell basic six-tool carving sets ($117.60) and eight-tool miniature stone tool sets ($187.60) that come with a hammer and multiple kinds of chisels, as well as individual carving tools of all varieties.
The inventory extends seemingly endlessly: Sculpture Supply has all manner of molding rubbers, latex silicone, different resins, rubbers, urethanes, the list goes on. Thankfully, a wall with many casting and molding materials such as this is are set up in here with examples of all kinds of finished products.
There are also clays, plasters, concrete, foam sculpting kits, and everything in between.
Not only are they equipped to help novices to experts, they’ve also got absolutely everything needed to take a sculpture project from point A to point B, from molds all the way up to finishing touches like paints along with glazing and coating materials.
Final products customers have made using supplies from here are proudly on display, some from local professionals such as the creators of creepy gnomes Revenant FX. Five pounds of this medium-consistency modelling clay goes for $36.69.
There are tons of special effects kits here to create the look of wounds, blood ($34.99) or even zombies ($53.99), whether you’re a pro artist or just want to really commit to a costume.
Seeing as sculpture is all 3D works, supplies here also cater to medical, sports, commercial and other communities.
At the front desk there’s a wealth of example objects made from different materials that, like the wall of examples, you’re free to touch and examine.
Hector Vasquez