Arch Art Supplies

J

Jaya Kingvia Google

2 months ago

As a store that’s residing on Yelamu land you should do better to treat any Indigenous person with respect when they walk through your door. The person working here who’s a white woman with curly grey hair and glasses was very disrespectful to me today. I am an Indigenous person going to CCA and hope to warn other Indigenous students of this person. I informed them that I didn’t appreciate their tone and how they were talking to me, but the person continued to interact with me disrespectfully. I know people can have bad days but this particular worker needs to reflect on speaking to people in a kinder way and taking feedback in the moment. I know people have bad days so if this employee wants to make amends for the disrespect and apologize I am open to that. Here is the interaction as I can best remember below: I asked this employee if they had something in stock and they replied “no if it’s not there then we don’t have it” and I responded “oh okay are you going to order more?” They replied “I don’t know probably, I don’t know when it will come in, probably not any time soon! We can put your name on a list and email you if it comes in.” I responded “okay I’ll just get this small kit.” There was another employee watching the whole interaction. As the original employee rang me up I informed them I was paying with a PO number from the school and showed the employee the number on my phone screen email. They responded “I’m not reading that.” I responded “oh I showed you it because it has the number on there.” and they responded “I’m not gonna read it. You need to read it off to me!” And I responded “okay, I don’t like your tone and the way you’ve been speaking to me.” They responded “I’m old and I can’t read that small! Don’t ask me to read something that small.”and I replied “ok I understand that, I can read it for you, I just don’t like how you’re speaking to me.” They continued to interact in the same disrespectful manner and harsh tone until I left.

Y

Yusef Hertzelvia Google

4 months ago

Arch Art Supplies is the sort of place you return to out of stubborn habit, not out of hope. I have been a customer for years, but it has led only to disappointment. The prices could make a Sotheby’s auctioneer blush. The staff’s insight seems to begin and end with small talk about the weather, and not once have I been offered a student discount. Not a single nod in the direction of struggling students. Some might say there is a certain charm in being ignored, and perhaps that fits with New York’s tradition of making you suffer for your art. Still, for this battered regular, any glimmer of nostalgia has finally been eclipsed by the lack of value or warmth. As Oscar Wilde might have put it, one can survive anything except the price tag and ennui at Arch.

C

Clarissa Garveyvia Google

9 months ago

I've been to Arch a couple of times, most recently to buy a gift for someone else. I had to ask for help and got really excellent help. I was first asked my budget, and then they respectfully stayed within my budget and explained the different options to me clearly, which was very helpful for somebody who doesn't understand supplies very well. This is an excellent community art supply store.

I

Isa Ivia Google

over 1 year ago

Highly recommended art supply shop for students and professionals. We purchased some materials, which were very hard to find in most other shops, for a school model house project. The staffs are super nice and helpful. A real time saver! With just one stop, we found everything we needed!

M

Miles Callanvia Google

over 2 years ago

An absolutely amazing "glow up" from the old location in a warehouse attached to a towing company. The new location in the ground floor of a newly built five over one is flooded with natural light, great vintage style displays and an incredibly deep selection of everything essential for most art school majors. They also have a robust collection of odd and rare art supplies and tools to get you inspired to experiment. Now that Flax escaped to Oakland, THIS is the best art store in SF by far.