Art Supply Stores in Atlanta: Where to Shop for Creative Materials

Atlanta has a thriving arts scene, from the galleries in Castleberry Hill to murals along the BeltLine, and that energy shows up in its art supply stores. Whether you are a professional artist, a design student, or a parent planning a craft day, you can find just about every type of art material somewhere in the metro area.

This guide walks through where to find art supply stores in Atlanta, what different neighborhoods offer, what to look for when you shop, and how to make the most of local resources.

Types of Art Supply Stores You’ll Find in Atlanta

Before choosing a specific store, it helps to know the main types of art supply options around Atlanta:

• Independent art supply shops – Often closest to what working artists want: fine art materials, specialty papers, and knowledgeable staff.
• Big-box craft chains – Large selection, especially for hobby and school projects, framing, and general crafts.
• College and campus art stores – Focus on supplies used in studio classes: drawing, painting, printmaking, architecture, and design.
• Specialty stores – Focus on a narrow slice: framing, drafting, photography, sewing, or digital art tools.
• General retailers with art aisles – Convenient for basic sketchbooks, pens, markers, and kids’ supplies.

Atlanta has examples of each, and most people end up using a combination depending on the project.

Key Atlanta Neighborhoods for Art Supplies

Different parts of the city lean toward different creative communities. If you are planning a shopping route, these areas are good starting points.

Downtown & Midtown

This area is central for students, professionals, and visitors:

• Close to Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD Atlanta), so you’ll find access to student-focused art supplies nearby or through campus stores.
• Midtown has many working artists and designers, so shops around this area often stock professional-grade paints, drawing tools, and surfaces.
• Framing and presentation materials are relatively easy to find here, especially near commercial districts and gallery clusters.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

This part of town is convenient if you’re in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, or Dunwoody:

• Larger craft and art chains commonly cluster around major shopping corridors like Peachtree Road, Roswell Road, and Perimeter Center.
• You can usually find general art supplies, school project materials, DIY framing, and craft kits in this area.
• Great for families, hobbyists, and people who want one-stop shopping with parking and longer store hours.

Westside & Upper Westside

The Westside has grown into a design and maker hub:

• Near areas like West Midtown, Howell Mill Road, and the Upper Westside, there are often boutiques and design-forward shops that stock higher-end papers, pens, and creative tools.
• If you are part of a coworking or maker space, you might also find on-site or recommended suppliers for specific mediums like screen printing, woodworking, or laser-cutting.

Eastside: Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Decatur

The east side is especially appealing if you’re into illustration, comics, or mixed media:

• Around Little Five Points, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward, you’ll find easy access to markers, sketchbooks, zines, and specialty papers through local retailers and bookstores that carry art-focused lines.
• Decatur and nearby neighborhoods often have independent shops and stationery stores that stock quality pens, inks, and notebooks used by designers, writers, and artists.

South Atlanta & Near the Airport

If you live or work near Hapeville, College Park, East Point, or South Fulton:

• Art supplies are more likely to be found at general retailers and big craft chains along major corridors rather than small specialty art shops.
• These stores are usually well-stocked for school art classes, home DIY projects, and basic painting and drawing.
• For very specialized items, many people in South Atlanta either drive toward Midtown/Westside or order online for pickup or delivery.

What You Can Typically Find in Atlanta Art Supply Stores

Most art supply stores in Atlanta, whether independent or chain, follow some common patterns in what they stock. If you are trying to decide where to go, consider what you need from the lists below.

Traditional Fine Art Supplies

Most full-service art stores in Atlanta carry:

• Drawing supplies: graphite pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, sketchbooks.
• Painting supplies: acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache; canvases, canvas boards, and panels.
• Brushes and tools: synthetic and natural-hair brushes, palette knives, palettes, easels.
• Paper and surfaces: watercolor blocks, mixed-media pads, Bristol board, illustration board.

If you study or work near Midtown, Downtown, or Decatur, nearby art retailers often tailor their inventory toward professional-grade brands and studio needs.

Craft, DIY, and Kids’ Art Materials

For general crafting and school projects, large craft and art chains around Atlanta commonly stock:

• Construction paper, foam boards, poster boards.
• Kids’ paint, markers, crayons, modeling clay, and glues.
• DIY home décor craft kits, wood pieces, stencils, and vinyl (useful for Cricut or similar machines).
• Beads, yarn, fabric, and sewing accessories.

These stores tend to be positioned near major shopping centers such as those around Cumberland, Perimeter, Camp Creek, Buckhead, and North Druid Hills.

Graphic Design, Drafting, and Architecture Supplies

Because Atlanta has a strong architecture and engineering presence:

• Stores around Georgia Tech, Midtown, and Downtown often carry technical pens, drafting tools, cutting mats, T-squares, and specialty papers such as trace and vellum.
• You may also find foam core, model-building materials, and presentation boards, useful for architecture and interior design students.
• Some office- and design-focused retailers around the Westside and Perimeter corridors stock professional markers, layout pads, and portfolio cases.

Framing and Presentation

If you’re preparing work for a show, client presentation, or school review, art supply and craft stores around Atlanta commonly offer:

• Ready-made frames in common sizes.
• Mat boards, mounting boards, and hardware.
• Custom framing services at select locations.

Many artists in Atlanta combine buying materials from art stores with custom framing services offered by framing specialists, especially when preparing work for galleries in Midtown, Buckhead, or Castleberry Hill.

Where Students in Atlanta Commonly Get Art Supplies

Several major schools with art and design programs operate in or near Atlanta. If you’re associated with one of them, you may have additional options.

Georgia State University (GSU) – Downtown Atlanta

Students in fine arts, design, and film often:

• Use campus recommendations to find supplies that match GSU class lists.
• Shop at nearby Downtown/Midtown art suppliers for items like charcoal, acrylics, oils, and large drawing pads.
• Look for student discounts or seasonal sales geared toward semester-start supply lists.

Georgia Tech – Midtown

Architecture, industrial design, and engineering students often need:

• Drafting tools, cutting tools, architectural scales, and model-making materials.
• Large-format paper and boards for studio presentations.
• These items are commonly sourced at Midtown or Westside design and art retailers, and at office-supply stores that carry technical drawing equipment.

SCAD Atlanta – Midtown

Students at SCAD Atlanta typically need:

• Illustration, animation, fashion, and fine art supplies, sometimes in specialized sizes or brands.
• Professional-quality sketchbooks, pens, inks, and markers.
• Supplies are usually obtained via local Midtown art shops, SCAD-specific supply lists, and retailers that cater to design professionals.

Using Big-Box Craft Stores vs. Independent Art Shops in Atlanta

Both large chains and smaller art stores are useful in Atlanta; the right choice depends on what you’re doing.

When Big-Box Craft Stores Work Well

These stores are scattered across metro Atlanta and are especially useful if you:

• Need basic supplies quickly, like poster board, glue, sketchbooks, or kids’ craft materials.
• Want large quantities for classrooms, camps, or group projects.
• Prefer extended hours and easy parking, often found in shopping plazas like those near Perimeter, Cumberland, Camp Creek, and Buckhead.

They tend to be strong in:

• General crafting and seasonal decor
• Beginner-level art supplies
• Home framing and DIY projects

When Independent or Specialty Stores Make More Sense

Atlanta’s independent and specialty shops are usually the better option if you:

• Work with professional-grade materials and care about pigment quality, paper weight, or archival properties.
• Need unusual sizes, surfaces, or tools that big-box stores rarely stock.
• Want help from staff who are artists themselves, and can talk through specific techniques and brands.

These stores are more commonly found in creative neighborhoods such as Midtown, Westside, Little Five Points, Old Fourth Ward, and Decatur.

Practical Tips for Shopping at Atlanta Art Supply Stores

A little planning goes a long way, especially if you’re crossing town in traffic.

1. Check Stock for Specialty Items

If you need something specific—like large canvases, specialty inks, block printing tools, or high-end watercolor paper—it’s wise to call ahead. Many Atlanta stores can confirm if they:

• Have the item in stock,
• Can hold it for pickup, or
• Are able to special order it.

2. Factor in Atlanta Traffic and Parking

When planning your trip:

• Rush hour can significantly lengthen travel times, especially around I-75/85, GA-400, and I-285.
• Stores in dense neighborhoods like Midtown and Downtown may have limited street parking or pay-to-park decks, while suburban locations often have large surface lots.

If you’re carrying large canvases or multiple boards, stores with dedicated parking lots can be much easier to navigate.

3. Bring Class Lists or Project Specs

If you’re shopping for a specific class or job in Atlanta:

• Bring or print your supply list from your instructor or studio.
• Staff at art-focused stores can often suggest equivalents if the exact brand isn’t available.
• For architecture or design courses, double-check paper sizes, pen types, and scale requirements—these details matter.

4. Ask About Student, Teacher, or Bulk Discounts

Many art and craft retailers in and around Atlanta occasionally offer:

• Student discounts with a valid school ID.
• Educator discounts for K–12 teachers and art instructors.
• Bulk discounts if you’re stocking a classroom, camp, or community program.

These policies vary by store, so it’s usually best to ask at checkout or by phone.

5. Combine In-Store Browsing with Online Ordering

If you live outside the Perimeter or have a tight schedule:

• Many major retailers serving Atlanta offer online ordering with in-store or curbside pickup.
• You can browse hard-to-find items online, then pick them up at a store in Buckhead, Perimeter, Cumberland, Camp Creek, or other major retail hubs.

This approach lets you see items in person when convenient, without risking a trip only to find something is out of stock.

Simple Comparison: Where to Go in Atlanta Based on Your Needs

Use this quick guide to decide what type of Atlanta store might be the best fit:

Helpful Local Context for Artists in Atlanta

When you plan where to buy supplies, it can help to think beyond just the stores themselves.

• Galleries and shows: Areas like Castleberry Hill, Midtown, and Buckhead host regular exhibitions where you can see how other local artists present their work, which may influence the framing and presentation materials you choose.
• Public transit access: If you rely on MARTA, look for art stores and craft retailers along key rail and bus corridors, such as stations in Midtown, Arts Center, Five Points, Decatur, and Lindbergh.
• Workshops and classes: Many community arts organizations and studios around Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Decatur, and West Midtown either sell basic supplies on-site or provide supply lists tailored to stores nearby.
• Shipping and deliveries: If your preferred store is across town, consider options that ship within the Atlanta metro area or allow delivery to your home, studio, or school to avoid long trips.

Taking Your Next Step in Atlanta

Finding the right art supply store in Atlanta mainly comes down to your medium, your neighborhood, and how specialized your needs are:

• For professional or school-level fine art, look toward Midtown, Downtown, Westside, and Decatur.
• For everyday crafts, kids’ projects, and basic supplies, explore big-box craft chains and general retailers in any major shopping area.
• For specialty tools, unique papers, and higher-end materials, focus on independent art, design, and stationery shops in creative neighborhoods.

Once you know what you’re working on and which part of Atlanta you’re in, you can usually find a store that fits your project without going far.