If you’re looking for art supplies in Sydney, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for a paint brush, a canvas, or some other type of artwork, these stores can help you out. Here’s a list of the best places to shop in the area.
Chapman & Bailey
Chapman & Bailey is a leading provider of professional art supplies in Sydney. They provide a comprehensive range of art materials including canvases, stretcher frames, artist boards, photo dry mounting, and a number of other items. The company also offers a professional art installation service.
They are also dedicated to the sustainability of the arts industry. Through their work, they aim to generate business for the remote arts centres of Australia. In addition to that, they are committed to their social and cultural responsibilities.
Their staff is trained and experienced artists. They carry a large selection of art supplies, which include canvas, drawing pencils, and a number of other items. As well as this, they offer excellent customer service. You can visit them at their CBD location, or at their Hampton East branch.
Chapman & Bailey has been operating in Australia for over a century. It was founded in 1854 by brothers William & George Dean. Today, it is one of the largest art supply retailers in the country. With branches in every state, they have a wide range of products and services.
Eckersley’s
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Eckersley’s is the place to shop for the best craft materials at the lowest prices. They also offer classes to help you get the most out of your creative juices. Besides art supplies, they also sell picture framing services, canvas stretching and easel hire.
Fortunately, the staff at Eckersley’s are also experts in their field. There are plenty of creative art and craft ideas to pick from, and they’re sure to provide you with a new idea or two. Some of the most popular crafts include woodworking, mosaics, canvas painting and drawing, knitting, and even sculpting. And they’ll even do custom projects for you.
For art and craft enthusiasts who need an outlet for their creative endeavors, Eckersley’s has stores around Australia. In the Sydney metro area, you’ll find the store at Atchison Street, near St Leonards Post Office. You can also check out their online catalogue, which lists all the products in their inventory at the best possible price.
If you’re in the market for a finely crafted piece of artwork, you might want to stop by at one of the 20 locations. But if you’re looking for a little bit more variety, they also have stores in Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Senior Art Supplies
Senior Art Supplies in Sydney lays claim to the best art supplies for artists in Australia. With a slew of quality offerings in the paint department, you’re bound to find something that works for you. In addition to standard art supplies, the company also specializes in fine linen rolls, a feat of art in and of itself. The aforementioned item is the brainchild of founder Paul O’Sullivan, who formerly ran the venerable Sydney Art Museum. As a bonus, the company runs a brisk mail order operation. Among other services, senior ART also offers a mobile art supplies service for the road warrior. Moreover, the company’s store is located on the fringes of the Central Business District, making it the perfect place to pick up a last minute bargain. This also gives you a chance to explore one of the most liveable neighborhoods in town. Lastly, the company operates on a Saturday, allowing for a hassle-free shopping experience.
Spotlight
Spotlight is the place to find a great range of craft supplies. From beads to cross-stitch kits, it’s a one-stop shop for all your crafting needs. Plus, they also stock a range of premium brands, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck. In addition to their slick selection, you’ll be greeted with helpful staff who know their stuff. They’re also happy to help you if you need advice.
Aside from their selection of craft supplies, they’ve got you covered when it comes to home decor and furniture. You can even snag a bargain on their mid-year sale. Whether you’re in the market for a new dining table, or you’re looking for a piece of furniture to adorn your new bedroom, you’ll be able to find what you’re after at Spotlight.
The store carries many of the same items you’d expect from the big box retailers, but they also offer some unique offerings. For example, they have a selection of art and crafting machines. These include things like a gizmo that allows you to print your own masterpieces, a sewing machine with interchangeable blades and a nifty little machine that allows you to make your own paper mache models.
Acme Framing
If you’re looking for a splurge worthy custom framing experience in the greater Sydney area, you’re in luck. The folks at Acme Framing take pride in their quality of craftsmanship and are happy to oblige your framing needs. With over a quarter century in the business, they’re a seasoned vet and will help you choose from the best of the best. Their selection of frames includes a plethora of woods, alabasters, and other sundries. They also have a staff of ninjas that can deliver your goods in a flash, and a no nonsense policy of good old fashion service. And that’s not all – the aforementioned ninjas have a keen eye for the smallest and most common mistakes, and will do what they can to remedy them. Moreover, you won’t have to leave your home to enjoy your new frame if you’re on the move. Lastly, you’ll be happy to know that they’re located in the most artsy of neighborhoods. This makes them one of a kind. Fortunately, they’re just a hop, skip and a jump away from the best art galleries in town.
S&S Wholesale
S&S Wholesale is Australia’s leading art supplies distributor. They offer a wide range of fine arts products for all your artistic requirements. You can find drawing pencils, oil paints, acrylics, pastels and more. There are also a variety of traditional favourites.
S&S is a family-owned company that has been supplying artists’ materials to schools and retailers in Australia for over 50 years. They have a large inventory, with more than 22,000 items in stock. The company is based in Orange, NSW.
In addition to artists’ materials, S&S also offers a wide selection of health and beauty products. Their range of organic skincare includes soaps, body washes, facial cleansing wipes, lip balms, face masks and other personal care items. These items are available in natural flavours, and are certified organic.
The company also has a full line of natural oils and essential oils. The essential oils are sourced from around the world. Some of the most popular include lavender, bergamot, frankincense and lemon myrtle. A number of themed oils are also available, such as oil kits and seasonal packs.
Riot Art & Craft
Riot Art & Craft has been in business for a number of years. The company has more than 100 stores across Australia, including thirteen in New South Wales. However, the company has recently closed down 56 of its stores and has announced plans to sell off its e-commerce arm. One question on many minds is if the new owners are doing the right things with the company.
Thankfully, most of the staff is still on the job. Nevertheless, a plethora of skeptics, including some former employees, have questioned the new owners’ commitment to the company’s success. As a result, the company’s stock price is down by more than half a billion dollars. Some of the more vocal members of the company have been urging customers to boycott the brand. Others have taken to social media to express their ire.
One of the more notable features of the aforementioned sale is that Riot Art & Craft’s stores were not included in the deal. Apparently, this is because the company has been acquired by a related entity, which shares the same directors as SLKALT Pty Ltd. Moreover, the sale “looks to have been done above board” according to the liquidator, Michael Kurc.
Sydney Festival and Biennale of Sydney
The Biennale of Sydney is Australia’s leading international contemporary art exhibition. Its program features over 330 works of art by 89 artists, along with 400 events. These include an Artist One-on-One program and a rotating roster of public programs. Taking place from March 12 to June 13, 2019, the 23rd Biennale is titled “rivus” after the Latin word for’stream’.
The biennale acknowledges connections to nature and to culture. In particular, it recognises the rights of land and water and acknowledges Indigenous, cultural and traditional owners. This year’s edition will be held in conjunction with the Venice Biennale, which is aiming to encourage a dialogue between aqueous worlds.
The biennale will take over The Cutaway, a cavernous below-ground concrete event space that has been used for the Sydney Festival. It is also part of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
The program includes a keynote address by internationally-acclaimed artist Douglas Gordon, who is visiting Australia for the first time. He will deliver a free lecture at the City Recital Hall. During the festival, Australian artists will be well-represented.
