Blick Art Materials

Overall staff customer service ranges from barely helpful to combative, argumentative, and elitist. Want to feel like you don’t matter and you’re an uninformed, bothersome lowlife – this store is for you!
Prices range from moderately reasonable to over priced. I proudly shop local – and in some cases pay a premium on the same items I can find cheaper online (with free shipping) – because community matters to me, but if you insist on providing a poor customer experience then your business will not be getting my business, my friends business, my colleges business, and has NO business being in this community.
Want to try and provide some guidance to this business to course correct, good luck! I recently tried to provide the manager feedback on an unreasonable, rude, employee and he couldn’t push the business card of the «general manager» quick enough into my hand and end the conversation without remotely being interested in the feedback, altercation, or attempting to demonstrate leadership himself. Disappointed? You bet!
Don’t even attempt to take pictures in this place for research purposes (how I would’ve LOVED to buy a class set of 30 books of the one I was looking at). Want to send a pic as a text message to ask your spouse if the item is what they were looking for or agree you should buy as a gift. Nope. No. It’s against the «rules» and «store policy». Hm… a policy that’s not documented and seems straight up archaic in the 21^st Century with Amazon, other online retailers, and ubiquity of cell phones and social networking.
I frequently pass by this location and see the store barely filled with customers… I wonder why?
I’m a local artist, alum of SAIC, an educator, and father. I wished I would’ve had different experiences here, wished it was a place that was interested in customers and the community… But alas, that seems far from reality. It’s a damn shame too.
Shopper beware. Your results may very.

I was shopping at this store for several years while I lived in Evanston, and was very pleased with it. Well, something happened today that made me change my mind and never shop there again…
A big cathedral in the area was having an art fair to benefit the parish and local community. As a vending artist (I vend at many Chicago area art events) and a planning committee member I was asked to distribute flyers inviting artists and public to participate. We distributed the flyers at all the Chicago area art stores (Michaels, Joann, Hobby-​Lobby, etc), and they all happily accepted the fliers as a participation in the community life. Well, not Blick. The manager told me in a rather rude manner that they don’t have any community events board and that they are not taking any fliers or participating in any other way in the community life! I was dismayed at this attitude, and decided not shop at a store which does not care about the local artists and community.

Bought some stretchers yesterday. The people working there were polite and helpful. Overall, it’s a nice store with lots of stock. Not inexpensive, however. The only negative, which came as a real surprise, was that Blick does not support Northwestern University’s WildCard, which is a discount card that hundreds of Evanston merchants honor.

If you need art supplies this is the go to place. Its a real art store. Ive always stopped by for block printing supplies and items for gifts, like cards and wrapping paper. The one down fall, theres one gentleman who works there that seems miserable. He’s unfriendly when he rings you up at the register.

Beautiful papers. Great inventory. So many supplies, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
I spotted some gorgeous japanese sticky notes, that I had seen on the web. I was so excited to find them here, right at home! Then I saw the price — $ 10 dollars for a block with 20 sticky notes. Ummmm, no. I put them back where they were. Ok, sure that price was because they came all the way from Japan, right? Moving on. I then noticed they had a date stamp from Smash that I’ve been looking for. Great! They have plenty! I grabbed one and almost passed out due to sticker shock — $ 20 dollars! This same stamp that Target sells for $ 5 dollars! Of course they have the entire shipment they ordered! I put the stamp back and headed to Target to stalk the stamp until they get it there. If the stamp had been a couple of dollars more, ok, but four times as expensive? I wonder how much are they overpricing every item they carry.

I have to open this review by stating that I’m writing a negative review after giving this store 6 visits to redeem itself and change my opinion.
I get the fact that this is more or less the only show in town for art supplies. That gives Blick the opportunity to shine, not to drag the whole art store model down with its inability or unwillingness to deliver on what Pearl (the company that Blick swallowed up) had going for it. Pearl set the standard for large company, large inventory stores that employed knowledgable and often friendly associates. Of course Pearl wasn’t without its faults and that’s probably a part of the reason why we don’t have them around today.
I have tried to get help several times while in this store and on many occasions have been bummed out by what I encountered.
Today, I had the distinct pleasure of having the manager walk by me several times without so much as a hello. When I gave up on trying to figure out exactly where what I needed was located, I spotted him again, idly doing busy work. I had to walk up to him, smile and ask him to help me. I was met with disdain and nearly made to feel like a complete dummy because apparently what I needed does not exist.
My ego is not so fragile so I shrugged it off with «well it couldn’t hurt to ask». Not only did this not make the encounter less awkward, but said manager turned on his heels walked away from me without even trying to think of a solution. Apparently he had already made the store’s sales goals in the 1^st 3 hours they were open so they didn’t need any of my money.
And can you please tell me what is with the no trying out the paint markers? Is your bottom line so important that you can’t afford to allow people to test out a tip or a paint consistency? Rattle cans I get. –No need to get us all zooted while we’re trying to buy things to make art with. But paint markers?
Customer service/​customer experience, awful. Inventory, halfway decent to good. Prices, high. Incentive to spend money there and not buy the exact same things online, ZERO.
I’m glad all of you 4 star gift givers had a great experience. You might be singing a different tune if you had ever shopped at an ACTUAL art store with knowledgable, friendly staff. The Art Store, DOA when Blick dropped in E-​Town.

Ok, I had to return… I still had the gift card and I am pleased to say, that someone must have hired more staff; or I just happened to go on a day when there was staff galore to be of service.
THANK YOU!
Without any assistance from me — looking like I was lost or bewildered; a newly hired employee came up to me to offer direction and stayed with me until I was satisfied with my selections. She admitted that she was happy that she didn’t have to go on a seek and find mission in the back room, («it’s a little scary»). Still, she was a dear. So Blick you earned one more star.
Now, if you could just do something about your prices — really nearly $ 9 for a box of 12 watercolor pencils is a bit much — even with the teacher discount. Regular customers shouldn’t have to pay so much — they’re creating art for heaven’s sake.

Frustrated with this store! I understand places have hours for a reason, but I legit went to open the door at 6:00 after rushing crazy style, and they wouldn’t let me in. There’s no way the registers were closed by then. I’m 8 months pregnant, walk slow, and knew exactly what I needed. When I worked in a store we always gave a few minutes extra. Now I will take my business elsewhere from now on!

What a mixed bag.
THE BAD: Despite the fact that I was one step away from my toddler, he knocked over a $ 42 pint of oil. Fortunately, it was only one pint of oil; thankfully, he was not in a mad rage and did not go tearing down the aisle and knock over pint upon pint of said oil – so neatly stacked in rows on the BOTTOM SHELF – because that would have left us destitute.
I was mortified. I almost burst into tears. My child did. A twenty-​something salesperson working the floor came over. I explained what happened and he snapped «excellent. Really excellent.» My husband offered to help clean up and offered to pay for the oil. I left the store.
THE GOOD: The salespeople at the front and at the register were friendly. The poor young guy behind the register didn’t know what to do and said, «You’re keeping the store afloat. You’re the most honest customer we’ve ever had.» He sweetly threw in a paint brush and little tube of paint. He didn’t know what to do.
*****
IDK. We owned up to our responsibility, and that was the right thing to do. We broke it. All the same, it was an accident, and it would have been nice if a manager had come to speak with us and maybe charged us their purchase price rather than the retail price or maybe just chalked it up to an accident and said, «That sucks, but that’s why we have insurance.»
And I’m sorry the guy had to clean up the glass and oil, but it could have been worse. It could have been puke.

Art materials and supplies can get quite expensive — Blick Art is one of the few art supply stores in the area in which you can get canvases, brushes, paints (oils, acrylics, etc.), as well as random trinkets like cute paper clips, markers, and sketch pads. There are also art furniture as well like architecture desks and easels. I always tend to doodle in the pen aisle and test out their markers. Blick is pretty good in having their canvases ½ off the suggested price, and also, they offer a student discount if you have your ID on you.
+student ID discounts
+canvas sales

I went in to stock up on some basic drawing supplies. Thing is… I don’t know anything about drawing or drawing supplies. When the nice, young man greeted me upon entering, I went straight to him and asked for help. He showed me what I needed and explained what all the pencils did (H, B, HB, etc.). It’s a big store, and they have a good selection of Blick brand stuff to more high end stuff, which is comforting. I got a few big sketch pads, charcoal pencils, graphite pencils, erasers, and one small set of pencils for under $ 40. I was at Michaels recently and saw the same supplies at much higher prices. I’m impressed that they have good deals and offer a free rewards card for more discounts (not what I think of in Evanston). I’ll definitely be back when I need to restock.

I love the variety of items and I find the staff helpful. I am soon to attend another painting a drawing clas at the art center here in Evanston, IL and glad they give any member a discount. My only objective is. They should have an ad paper. Postcards are one thing, but to advertise more have an ad paper may lead to more customers.

Great service and plenty of options. There is no parking though so it kinda sucks if you’re in a hurry. But it sure beats the traffic going to the Blick s at Kingsbury!

Stopped in to this store in Evanston in order to re-​fuel a painting hobby of mine, and loved it! The store is packed with art supplies, and the staff is young, but very friendly and helpful. And, EVERYTHING was 50% when I was there. I hope this type of sale happens often because I love to dabble and want to visit regularly for inspiration. Really a good resource to have right here in Evanston for creative types like me!

This store has a lot of good items and the staff is very helpful. I come in at times to purchase canvas or pencils. They carry a large variety of art supplies and it’s in a great location.

Such super sweet, helpful staff!
When they didn’t have what we wanted, they offered kindly to order it pronto– so appreciated!
I bought some bookbinding tools, because yes– I am that cool.
Not only do I read books but I make them too.
They make impressive keepsake gifts– and there are multiple options here for binding including multiple thread colors, wax, glue galore, leather, paper, even ready made kits for beginners.

This is a fairly large art supply store with a good selection on many areas. The thing I really like about it, though, are the friendly helpful employees. They took the time to explain the differences and uses of several items, and made sure I got what I needed. Thanks!

Screw all the other art supply stores, Blick is where it’s at. They have everything from novelty books (like ‘Wreck this Journal’/fill in/​full of personality) and personal calenders to chocolate calculators and wrapping paper, to canvas’ of all sizes, a wide array of Sculpey colored (and bulk) clay, and tools of all kinds for every sort of project you’re working on.
Last time I stopped in I saw they even have TATTOO INK! Of course they don’t just sell it to anyone, but I thought it was super awesome that they sell it there. They have sales galore and if you sign up with them for a card you’ll be in on all of the deals! 20% off coupons as well. If you’re a student you can sign up for their student discount program as long as you bring in your ID. I didn’t have an ID at the time but brought in a syllabus and they gave it to me, I was thrilled. All over Evanston being a student gets you major discounts it seems.
Their location is fabulous and even if you’re waiting for a movie, you can stop in and browse. The staff is super friendly and truly, all the little novelties I can’t begin to list. Even coloring books for grown ups and impulse buy zipper tags and things tickle ones fancy. There’s a thousand and one things you need there, as well as a thousand and two you don’t but really want. And they’re always changing up their selection! The BEST part.

«Look at me, I’m Blick, I monopolize the modern art supply market in the Midwest with moderate-​to-​high prices and also offer dumb Lomography fisheye cameras and Warhol tote bags to further my artsy appeal BUT I WON’T CARRY ANY PHOTO PAPER.»
Stupid store.

An Art Attack.
Ok, yes… lots of art supplies, obviously. Easels and paints and paper and brushes and all that stuff for creative people with a little dispensable income. And VERY helpful people to assist you in finding anything you might need to achieve any type of artistic goal you may have dreamed up. They are good. They know where shit is. Fork over the list and let ‘em work their magic.
But, for me… this is a place to come for the following:
*envelopes
*make-​your-​own paper for cards
(both above in beautiful colors)
*packs of cute (and sometimes local) letterpress cards
*Quoteable magnets and cards (I love them, do not judge me)
*Great selection of off-​beat cards, much better than the drugstore, most def.
*kitschy cute trinkets like goldfish keychains with blue light up eyes or USB sticks shaped like glasses, or earbuds shaped like skull ‘n crossbones.
*books, photo albums, frames, how-​to vintage flowery prints (!?) swoon.
Hints:
1. free parking on Sundays in the public garage across the street. For any reason. All day long. For like, whatever you want to do in Evanston.
2. join their loyal buyer program.
3. discounts for teachers/​students, so bring valid ID.