Gwartzman’s Canvas & Art Supplies

Have been shopping at Gwartzman’s for 45 years since my OCA days…
Best Canvas, Boards prices and Microcrystalline Wax
Always Love to get a smile out of Mr. G…He knows it All.
Everyone gets a Discount whether you are a Artist or Not.

Unbelievably rude treatment at Gwartzman’s by someone working there who (by way of explanation for his behaviour) told me he was ‘an artist’. Their selection may be fantastic but if you need advice you’re out of luck. Update: thanks for your response Jacklyn, however rudeness masquerading as expertise is definitely not what I am looking for. I find everything I need plus friendly treatment at Above Ground.

Good store with good canvases, I stopped one day and one the staff (too bad I don’t know his name) it was very nice and helpful, I’m not an artist but I was buying for a friend… I returned on the next day and some of the staff was looking up and down on me just because I’m not the average artist… or dressed like one I guess… the store manager was rude at check out… I almost walked out thinking that they didn’t want to sell to me… also, I purchased a few large canvases and it would been nice if they gave me a hand in loading in the car, especially because it was raining… very disappointed on service :(

Been a customer here for 15 years. The staff are friendly, especially James who has been there for a while and always sees to my needs. Its cheap so what more do you need. Mr G is a wonderful, grumpy, opinionated man who can smell bullshit a mile away. I have lived in many neighbourhoods over the years but will always go the extra distance to Gwartzmans!

This is my favorite art supplies store in the city. Even though the store is not the biggest and the selection might not be the greatest, but I will never buy art supplies anywhere else. I want to say thank you to sales people who work there, they are very knowledgeable and friendly. Great customer service. And their prices are probably the lowest!

I have been shopping here for almost 20 years, no kidding, time flies :) I always come back for very impressive selection, constructive advice and reasonable prices. Now I bring my kids here too.

I have nothing but good things to say about this art supplies shop. The elderly gentleman helped me find painting supplies for my sister’s birthday and I didn’t know WHAT to get; I’m no painter. He even switched up the items a lot to give me the best bang for my buck. When I told him that my sister painted dogs he was very touched and that touched me (not sexually, come on now!). I purchased some heavy duty items and it came to just under $ 50 which is half of what I expected to pay. I’m glad the store is in Chinatown cuz the prices are low but surprisingly the quality is still high unlike that place across the street where I got 3 for $ 10 leggings. All of their leggings have camel toe installed at the front. Don’t lemme catch anyone buying the white camel toe leggings after this warning! 5 Stars!

still a good place to head if you want a deal, BUT:
mostly bad, rude service
many of the paints are stocked BEHIND the counter, WTF??? thanks for making it hard for me to shop your store.

This has become my go-​to place after shopping around for art supplies. I do plenty of resin castings, and this was the only place that had the entire selections of resins, moulds and other accessories that I need for my projects in one place. Like others have said, the prices are excellent.
The staff I’ve encountered we’re also extremely helpful with finding what I needed. Tall people won’t have problems though.

BEST PRICES IN THE CITY!
Found this place just by happenstance and went in with my hubby to get him some canvas and paint. Can’t say it enough, PRICES ARE AMAZING! I don’t almost want to Unilocal for fear that they get so busy and the prices go up! LOL
That being said everyone working there was very friendly and helpful, and I’m not sure what others are saying about the owner — he was absolutely delightful and smiling and chatting with me! LOVE THIS PLACE! Can’t wait to go back!

When I went there10 years ago the old guy at the counter was a bit of an arse to students that asked what he thought were stupid question; yet, most recently the lady I have dealt with has seemed rather pleasant.
Great selection and great prices, but I wish they had a website that actually allowed online shopping. I emailed them an offer to develop a customized shopping cart for a small fee or a cut of online sales about 4 years ago; yet, to this day I haven’t heard anything from them, and they still don’t have a decent site.
Anyways, my gripes aside, these guys are awesome; especially if you are a poor student.

Gwartzman’s smells like paper, which is the smell of contemplation and fulfillment.
It has a huge pen selection, lots of paint… basically it is a store full of very affordable art supplies.
The true delight here is the welcoming, truly helpful and friendly staff. I buy their sketchpads (cheap!) their fancy pens, the ink brush pens, the inks, the novelties, the glitter glues.
I *almost* buy the line that they’re taking 10% off just for me.
But you know when I am there, I truly believe in the goodness of life.

I’ve walked along this stretch of Spadina many times and never noticed this place until recently. The store is a little shabby looking from the outside and the interior is very… eclectic. They have packed a ton of stuff in here and I have to agree with the previous reviewers on some of the deals you can find. Check this place out first, then go to your normal place if you can’t find it here.

Customer service is great. Prices are by far the best! I will always go here first, and if I can’t find what I’m looking for, then I’ll go to Curry’s/Michael’s/Midoco/etc.

prices are usually lower here than the other art supply stores left in town, but i’d say that while James is a peach and knows his stuff, only about half the staff are genuinely helpful (and frankly, i could do without the trademark Mr G gruffness).
usually some sort of super good deals on odd sizes, weird supplies and obscure brands.

They have everything you need AND at great prices.
Obligatory Title Pun: May the GWARTZ be with you.
Menu Readability: n/​a
Need to Mention: Look here first for what you need. I’ve found some unbelieveable deals.
What this place teaches me about myself: I’m still addicted to art supplies.

Gosh, Gwartzman’s is a Toronto institution. Whenever I’m walking down Spadina approaching Gwartzman’s to get a roll of manila I’m holding my breath in anxiety for fear that they might not be there anymore. The relief is palpable when I see the familiar wooden easels through their dusty window. It’s been exactly the same ever since I was in school and they still have the best prices for your basic art supply needs. What’s more impressive is that Mr. Gwartzman is still serving behind the counter and is always helpful in a sort of curmudgeony sort of way. I bet that guy’s got some good stories… too bad I’m too chicken to get him to tell me one. Get your stuff here!

With no shortage of art stores and supply shops in the downtown core, it may be difficult to know where to start to meet your artistic needs. Shiny stores with pretty displays line the streets, attracting many students, but the price is never as good as it is at Gwartzman’s.
Firstly, all students with an ID card get a favourable discount on everything in the store. For a student on a budget, in need of art supplies of all kinds, Gwartzman’s is the best choice, by far in the Spadina/​College area.
Secondly, whether you are a visual artist, a student of architecture or design, or a simple art supply lover, Gwartzman’s shop is jam-​packed with just about anything you may need from paper, paint, brushes and canvas stretching. The store basically is like a class room art closet; gritty, no frill, and crammed full of just about anything.
Lastly, the staff at Gwartzman’s are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about all facets of art and supplies needed. I’ve shopped at Gwarztman’s for years and can say with all honesty that it is one of my favourite art stores in the city.

A great place to get art supplies on a budget. The atmosphere is a lot more rugged than your average Loomis but you can get all the same items. A very helpful staff make it easier to locate things in the small cramped quarters that is Gwartzman’s.

i’m a fan of this store. they don’t have a massive selection, but they are very nice and helpful. prices are better than the chain art stores (loomis, curry’s, aboveground). if it’s a normal art supply, they will probably have it– but don’t expect any frills.