Delta Art & Drafting Supply

I have been a fan of Delta for years. It is locally owned, and the prices are comparable or better than those other chain art supply stores. They have the greatest selection in town and you can find anything your pro or hobbyist artist’s heart desires.
That being said, if you are on a budget, know what you are looking for before going in… if you leave it open ended, the ambitious staff will load you up with everything you would need for said project, even if you only want one item. They are truly just enthusiastic and helpful employees, but if you are like me, you’ll spend ½ an hour chatting and learning about products without wanting to buy them (I just can’t shut down those helpful kids!)
If you’ve been waiting for the other guys’ canvas to go on sale before buying, just visit Delta. Their canvas is better quality, and their everyday pricing is competitive with the other guys’ sale pricing.
Delta unfortunately loses one star for their sale pricing. You will note their price tags have 2 prices (retail, and delta’s price). Be aware that when they are having an XX% off sale, it is not off the Delta price, it is of the higher Retail price, which is very misleading. Having shopped here for years, I am under the impression this is a new (2015 and beyond) tactic, as I never questioned the sale prices prior to this.

I saw all the great reviews on Unilocal and though I’d give Delta Art a try. This was my first art store I stopped at (I’m just moved here from the States). The prices seemed really good, at first, and everything seemed alright, until I had an employee «help» me. I told her that I was new to watercolor and just needed some basic supplies to get started. Without letting me speak any further, she started shoving things in my hands (very irritating) and telling me that I needed pro artist quality items… to GET STARTED! I had never even tried water colors and she wanted me to spend $ 300. I didn’t even know if I’d like the medium and there was no way I was spending that much to find out. I decided that I’d go and check out another art store and as I was leaving, I was STILL being pressured into buying $ 300 worth of supplies (a couple brushes, 8 pro artist paints, a palette, and the pro quality paper… total would have been around $ 300-​ish). I went to a different art store and spoke to a retired art teacher. I managed to get everything I needed (some student grade, some stuff artists grade) for around $ 25! I will NEVER go back to Delta. When I looked at prices at some of the other stores, I noticed that they were about the same. It was as if Delta arts raised their prices so they could run «sales» making it seem as though you are getting a deal when actually you’re not.

Great selection of specialty supplies. The only issue I had was the lack of prices displayed for most items.

This is the best art supply store in the city! Prices are cheaper than at Colours and The Paint Spot, and they always have sales going on. Once or twice a year they have a 50% off sale. Store can be a little crowded at times, but they always are fully stocked with art supplies and the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s super worth it.

This store can be a bit hard to find or get to, but is definitely worth the trip! I’ve been here a few times; the first time I was here, I bought a gift card for a friend who once told me that this is her most favourite art supplies store, after Colours and Paint Spot. That first visit (two years ago) had to be quick, so it was so tough trying to stop myself from looking for supplies for myself. Everything was neatly organized.
It’s a great place to get your Christmas shopping done! I had more than adequate help from staff with looking for specific art supplies for an 8 year old last Christmas. Water-​colour pencils was a hit with the kids! Adding a water-​colour friendly sketch book was a nice score. I was glad to find very decent student-​quality items at very fair prices. I like that on various visits, different selection of items are on sale. That friend who first told me about Delta was right — this store has got the best prices on art supplies in the city!
I also noted that this store has polymer clay supplies — if you’re into bead-​making or baking little figurines. (With access to so many how-​to arts and crafts books from the Edmonton Public Library, this art store is a gem for those who want to dive into various art projects and find the right tools & supplies!)

We aren’t really artsy people but we needed some stuff for a DIY project. This place was tucked away in an industrial area but we’re glad we found it. From what I can tell, there’s a huge selection with boxes of inventory piled high on the shelves. The prices are also great at Delta Art & Drafting Supply compared to the big box stores like Michaels and DeSerres. One of the item we purchased was about $ 11. The same thing costs $ 28 at Michaels. I guess that’s not really a surprise that Michaels’ price is outrageous.
The staff here are really helpful as well. We were quickly approached by one of the employees to see if we required any assistance. When we did, they were knowledgeable and helped us find exactly what we we came in for because it wasn’t on the shelf.

My FAVORITE art store ever! I’m from Vancouver, but I come to Edmonton often to visit family and always make a point of hitting this place up because their selection is way better than anyplace we have back home!
They have a huge selection of basic art supplies, but i like that they always a few neat little extras that can make projects a little bit more exciting. I didn’t have an excuse to buy one, but once when i was there i saw wooden canvases that were directly cut from a tree trunk, so you had this perfect round wooden canvas with bark on either side of it. Last time i was there i didn’t see them, so if that was a one time only thing i’m kicking myself for not getting any!
My favorite things about this store are their drafting and technical supplies. On my last visit, i left with two huge tins of rubber cement! Nowhere in Vancouver carries my favorite brand (yes, i’m a weirdo who has a favorite brand of rubber cement, what of it?) so i’ve gotta stock up! I also got a rad, super high quality leopard print stencil for air brushing. They had a bunch of other neat ones like spiderwebs, dragon scales and skulls, so if my airbrush experiments work out i’ll definitely be back to nab more of them.
The store is really nicely laid out and organized, and the staff have always been able to help me find what i’m looking for if i don’t know where it is. Pretty impressive considering they have TONS of items all over their big store! The staff have always been very friendly and in good moods too, even when i’ve been here during the hectic Christmas season!
Dearest Delta, pretty please open up a store in Vancouver?

Not only the best art supply store in town, one of the best customer service experiences for a business of any type in Edmonton. Mostly I deal with Joanne and the owner John, who have never failed to go the extra mile. They have an enormous selection of supplies, lots of sales, and on the off chance they don’t have what you want, would order it in for you. On top of everything else, they’re dog-​friendly!

Nice art supply store. I was shopping for pencils and they have Derwent Faber-​Castel, Straedtler, etc … the gooders. But also the usual stuff for art supplies: canvas’, paper, oil paints, easels etc …
Oh and they give you 10% if you taking a course and you buy your supplies of them! Sweet.