Boston's Best Art Supply Stores

With the abundance of art lessons and inspiration in Boston, art supplies are a hot commodity. There are plenty of chain stores and stores with art odds and ends throughout the city. However, what artists really want are the great stores that carry everything from canvases to stamps. When it comes time to do sculpting, painting, drawing, scrapbooking or even face painting, everyone wants the most variety and a helpful staff to dig through it with them.

Gather Here
370 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
(781) 775-9504
www.gatherhereonline.com

While what makes Gather Here so special is the group aspect it offers to crafts, as well as the many classes offered on site, it is first and foremost a store. Craft enthusiasts can purchase fabric, yarn and fibers. What is more, the store doubles as a stitch lounge. It has tables and machines for patrons to work on projects, collaborate and just socialize. Do some sewing, learn to crochet, chat with other crafters or just purchase a few things for a project at home. It is all possible at Gather Here.

Grey's Fabric & Notions
450 Harrison Ave., Suite 63
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 338-4739
www.greysfabric.com

Run by SoWa artists and stocked with everything sewers need to create garments and more, Grey's Fabric & Notions is a one-stop shop for designers. The staff includes professionals that can help browsers with everything from needles to fitting. Customers who do not have time to pop into the shop can buy products online and still locally with just a few clicks. Beginners need not worry. Grey's has machines, patterns and everything necessary to get started sewing.

Related: Boston's Best Home Décor Stores

School Of The Museum Of Fine Arts Store
230 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-6100
www.smfa.edu

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Store may be a college supply and gear store, but this is the MFA School. There are plenty of art supplies for purchase in the store. The best part is that the school has experienced artists on staff who are knowledgeable about the items in the store. Patrons can count on being able to get advice. The store also hosts workshops on the products it offers.

Johnson Paint Company
355 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-4244
www.johnsonpaint.com

Johnson Paint Company has an impressive array of paint, but hidden on the second floor is an art supply inventory. It carries paint supplies, drafting supplies, paper and more. It may not have as much of a range for types of art supplies as some of the other great Boston art supply stores, but JPC makes up for it by having quality supplies in the genres it carries. Patrons can also get the supplies they need to paint their homes and studios while they are at it.

Related: Boston's Best Stationery Stores

Bead + Fiber
460 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 426-2323
www.beadandfiber.net

For those artists who prefer yarn or beads as a medium, Bead + Fiber is perfect. It is conveniently located in the SoWa neighborhood for those artists who have studios in the area or are lucky enough to live there. The biggest draw for this shop may not be the jewelry making supplies, accessories and yarn, though. It has a great array of art workshops that will teach amateurs how to use the materials or teach established artists new tricks.