Photo: QueensPost
May 29, 2014 By Christian Murray
A 10,000 square foot art supply store opened at 34-09 Queens Blvd about two months and the operators aim to cater to artists from Long Island City and Sunnyside.
The store is an outpost of the 29 year-old Artist & Craftsman Supply, which has 20 locations in 13 states, including in Harlem, and Park Slope.
The store sells everything that meets the needs of painters, printmakers, sculptors, knitters, and crafts enthusiasts. Furthermore, there are many items that target parents with young children.
“We opened here because we wanted to be close to the train, have a big space and be near lots of artists,” said Anne Segal, who has worked at the store since it opened.
The store, however, is not in a prominent location and Segal said that she has been visiting artists in their studios in Long Island City and attending events at Sunnyside to get the word out.
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30 Comments
It’s so wonderful to have an art supply store where I can pop out to buy my oil paints when I run out rather than run all the way into Manhattan on a weekend.
Just visited the store today and it’s absolutely great. You have to check it out!
Visited yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Prices are generally lower than what I pay at shops in the city. Their was a good range of professional brands and a diverse selection of media. The “crafts” section was higher quality and more interesting than you’d find at Michael’s, and there are lots of fun supplies for kids.
The staff is knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I really want this place to succeed. As many have said, there is a serious dearth of stores selling goods rather than services in the area. For my needs this place is a jackpot.
Can’t wait to go! What a great addition to Queens.
I think having a proper art supply store is an awesome addition to the neighborhood!
The staff there is super friendly and helpful and they have a lot of stuff.
The only negative is that if you work with specific brands and materials they may not carry your desired make. It is worth seeing what they stock before you assume that they are going to have it.
Preschool Teacher, where’s MY thanks?!?!?
How did I not know about this till now?!! There goes my paycheck!! I can die and go to heaven. Going first thing in the morning!!! Thanks Sunnyside Post!!
Food at Dog and Duck sure does suck. Dog and Suck
Flores 65, What are you talking about, hipsterdom?? It’s an arts and crafts store…
Love this store and these people…and the beat up interior and industrial ramp up. . .and the nifty retro gifts. Sixties ballpoint pen replicas.
Manny Gomez hoping for outdoor art party in Artist & Craftsman bay after the 2 June art shows!
Plain spoken: They do sell stone to carve (alabaster, even!) and tools!
i try to have an excuse to go every few days. besides art supplies, i needed one of those clear straws that loop around and can be attached to a hidden flask.:)
Try & stop by the tiny coffee shop right across the street on 34th which caters to local workers; right out of the past with original counters and decor which predates the pacman machine in the corner!
If they ever have painting lessons, I’d take a class. Maybe they can hang my art on the new plazas’. It’ll be an abstract figure called ” Ode to Squirts”. My masterpiece dedicated to Sunnyside’s prime contributor.
Thanks for taking a chance on the neighborhood! My wife and I have been bringing supplies in from Union Sq for 2 years. Totally a welcome addition to the commercial landscape of SS.
Etsy is having a craft fair in Dumbo on 6/6 – you should go and pass out cards!!
It looks like hipsterism is on the rise once again. When will the madness end?
P.S.: Sunnyside really needs an urban open space, or green space. It would have looked nice on 41-18 43rd Street, if it weren’t for that new building.
Seriously. I’m going to take up sculpting.
I’m going to take up sculpting! Look for my work to be clogging up the entrances to the 46th St. station. Except on weekends ’cause the train never runs anyway.
TBoneNYC, sorry but we do not have custom framing but we do have a large selection of ready made frames and mats. As well as matboards, matboard cutters and frame point guns if you want to make your own frame.
Does anyone know if this new establishment does framing?
I just got home from a visit and was impressed. The store has a vast selection, fairly priced merchandise, and staff that actually approached me to see if I needed help finding anything. The shop seems solid all around – stop in and give these guys and gals your business.
What Sunnyside needs are more outdoor cafe options. Claret is ok, Dog and Duck’s food sucks. It would be nice to have more outdoor dining options, even if just seasonal.
Looks like another junk store… yawn.
The best art store & helpful staff.
Likely because they’re employee owned.
They have fun stuff for kiddos and hobbyists too.
They have a location on Metropolitan near Graham in east williamsburg, it’s a great art supply store, and great to have one in Queens. Also near all the colleges on Queens Blvd.
They might get a lot of business from the former customers of Pearl Paint in Chinatown since it recently closed.
Great addition.
This place rocks and is exactly what Sunnyside needs, take it from me I know EXACTLY what Sunnyside needs.
Good job Mod for posting this. You have my respect for 10 days!
Welcome! Best of luck to you. Gotta come see all your stuff.
Perfect match for the neighborhood — welcome A&CS!
Great to see on-going diversification in Sunnyside’s retail sector, especially more stores that sell goods as contrasted with service businesses (nail salons etc.), food places, and junk stores. The Sunnyside economy is getting brighter by the day.
WOO HOOO!!!!