Cactus Art

Kathy I hear you filed for Bankruptcy, hope you enjoy all the money you took from people that purchased gift certificates. As they say Karma is a B

Cactus offers great prices for art staples. It’s the perfect place for beginners to buy products without breaking the bank. If you need more specialized items, or just more variety, head down the road to Kensington Art Supply (across from the old Costco). But if it’s reasonable brushes and canvases — and many other items — give Cactus a try. I’ve recommended this store to many.
Also, I read another review about classes, and while I have taken only one — with Rick Berg — it was awesome!

In addition to selling art supplies, Cactus Art hosts the Calgary School of Art at their location I decided that I needed some motivation to do art so I signed up for an acrylic painting course with one of their art instructors Sheila Schaetzle. The first few sessions were okay but throughout the 4^th session I felt that Sheila was being particularly critical of everything I was doing saying that I needed to get my supplies more organized, etc. I understand teachers are sometimes critical so I didn’t think much of it. Then she came over and said «can I get in there?» I nodded not sure what she meant by it and she started painting directly on my painting. I told her that I would prefer that she not paint on my work… I said that I would prefer if she just demonstrate on another sheet of paper or just tell me. She said in an overwhelmed voice that that is what she was trying to do but that I was just not listening. She sounded upset, saying she just doesn’t know me that well. I felt she was coming down heavy especially given this was only my 4^th class. I felt very uncomfortable and didn’t want to continue with the classes.
I called Kathy the manager and told her the situation and she said she would speak to Sheila and hopefully get a partial refund for the course. I waited for Kathy to call me back but the weeks passed and finally after a month I called and spoke to Kathy and she said she completely forgot about it and would speak to Sheila that evening. This was about a week ago and once again I have not heard from her. I think this is very unprofessional and unfair behaviour. I would like a partial refund for the course. It cost in total 337 $ and I attended only 4 classes.

Cactus Art really needs to revamp their store website. Not only is it very drab showing no or very little sale items for their products or even enough new products, but their web graphics needs help. I was not even able to locate their supply store hours and holiday hours if any. They can certainly take the lead of other supply stores in the city, who have excellent websites such as Swinton’s Art Supply. As for the inside of their store, it has become a jumbled mess. I always have trouble finding things, I get frustrated and end up walking out. There’s also never enough people around who can help, with the exception of the girl at the cash register, who sometimes seems more interested in talking with customers at the till than coming over to see you. Their prices used to be lower than everywhere else but this is not the case anymore, only their cheap bundles of brushes is what is cheaper than everywhere else and not much else. Kathy, I hope your listening.