Opus Art Supplies – Granville Island

This is one of the better art stores. However the supplies are almost always over priced unless on sale. The staff certainly fits a certain «artsy» look. That doesn’t always mean they know much about the materials. I like that there is a washroom, but it could use some up-​grading. The halls are too close together so if you bring a stroller you will feel like a ball in a pin-​ball machine bumping into things. Some staff are very casual and relaxed where as others are pretentious wannabe types. Eek. ;)

I was visiting Granville Island one day and came here to check out some art supplies for a personal hobby. As a born and raised Vancouverite, I almost can’t believe this was my first time visiting an Opus store! I found the staff to be very friendly, as I was approached by several staff members asking if I needed help, and another was happy to help me find a section I was looking for. Even though I’m not an art student or professional artist, I could spend a long time here looking at all the paints and supplies here. I’m not that knowledgable about prices compared to other art stores in the Lower Mainland, but I was happy to find what I needed, and I was able to get a little discount by signing up to be an Opus Plus Member. I also like that they have an online store so you can get an idea of what they carry.

Opus has *mostly* top notch supplies here for both professional and hobbyists.
I’ve came here when they didn’t have anything on sale and on their annual inventory sale. I urge you, if you’re on a tight budget, to list everything you need and shop at their inventory sale. Everything is roughly 20% to 60% off, depending on what it is.
Opus has poor brushes compared to elsewhere. Most of them are synthetic and you won’t find any squirrel or kolinsky brushes for water-​colour. Nor will you find quality oil brushes that aren’t their brand. Seriously, my Fortissimos, please stop loosing hair when I paint. They do, on the other hand, have a very nice paper selection. There are tons of open stock sketch paper of nearly every kind and great cheap sketchbooks. They do not carry the lesser popular European brands. Arches, Fabriano and Canson are the major brands. Opus has a very large number of fine art items, you must go and see for yourself!

I have been going to this art supply store for more than 10 years and I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed it.
The fact that I’m still buying things here after all these years pretty much says a lot. This place is overwhelming. It is filled with every art supplies from paint brushes to picture frames, portfolio bags to art books. The staff are knowledgeable. They have workshops that you can take and be inspired.

These guys are located right across from Emily Carr Art and Design school… I passed by it so many times in the past but didn’t know about it until I started taking design courses myself. Staff is really knowledgeable and helpful. They have a very wide selection and student discounts as well but they may be more expensive than DeSerres depending on what the item is.

Amazing service, amazing selection! The employees are very helpful and polite, even during the back to school sale frenzy. The aisles are a little narrow, so often times, especially if you’re carrying around a large backpack or bag, they’ll ask to keep it behind the counter.

I came here for the first time to browse. They have an excellent selection of art supplies. Perhaps they have friendly staff, but only to certain skin tones???
When my boyfriend and I entered the store, the staff on duty requested my boyfriend to remove his backpack and leave it at the desk, since it was procedure. However, we noticed while walking throughout the store that about 7 other people had backpacks which weren’t requested to be taken off. We saw also large bags and a suitcase. My boyfriend happened to be the only Filipino in the store…
This was clearly an act of discrimination which both of us noticed. It was unfortunate and ultimately hurtful to see racism, especially in this day and age. The products and service overall may not be much to criticize, but if someone actively judges and shows prejudice just because of a certain skin tone or culture, it is inappropriate and should be brought up.

Excellent, friendly service and good prices for quality products. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. The painting tools and accessories selection was very good. Lots of options. The store is pretty big. Would definitely go there again.

I’ve shopped at Opus for almost two decades and have always enjoyed their selection of art supplies. I recently decided to get to framing all of the art and prints I had accumulated and have been meaning to frame for almost two decades. As luck would have it the day I went in was the first day of a major sale on pre-​made frames and pre-​cut mats. Bonus!
Over the course of several weeks I came in with my portfolio of items and chipped away at selecting the frames and mats from the pre-​made frames adn pre-​cut mats. I also had a number of items that would require custom matting. The staff were more than helpful in assisting me on the many trips in I had to make to get the job done. They were very knowledgeable about the various matting products they sold and explained the difference to me so I could make the best choice. When I needed a second or third opinion on choosing a mat colour they were able to provide an objective and tasteful opinion.
The best part was that they helped me do ALL of the matting math! I am not at all good with numbers or math so this was the most valuable service they provided. They pretty much did all the math for me and went through it do double check it with me, explaining it all.
The supervisors in the framing department are amazing and the staff are great. I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you so much for all of your help!

After shattering a frame, I decided to go to Opus to get some help with a mat and some new glass. These guys are awesome! I’ve been there twice now for framing help and although it’s DIY, they give you instructions on how to do everything.
Very helpful staff with great suggestions. Thanks Opus!

I’ve been their loyal costumer for the last 3 years, always excellent service. I love their free courses at the Hastings location.

The staff here are friendly and they know their stuff. If something you want is out of stock, they’ll be happy to order and notify you when it arrives. And I’m not just saying that because I shopped here so often while I was studying at Emily Carr. Sure, I spent thousands here but it was money well spent. The building is charming and the aisles are well stocked and organized. Oh so many memories every time I walk down a different aisle!

I come here for frames only. You can choose whatever frame style you want and have it custom cut for whatever you want to frame. They will have it ready for you in a few days or a week. I’ve done this a few times for the odd sized pictures that I mounted and matted myself.

I really like it here. Sometimes I just wander around looking at all the products and imagining/​wondering what I could do with them if I had talent. I don’t even feel uncomfortable doing this — I guess the artists who work here can understand such reverie.
I always find the staff to be genuine in their attempts to help me. (I do actually buy and use their products, too). They’ve been wonderful, even in somewhat difficult circumstances.
It’s not always easy to find the right person to talk to — you have to catch them when it’s not too busy — but their advice has been a huge help to me many times over.

Without a doubt, the best place in Vancouver to get art supplies. Period.
I’ve been a huge fan of Opus framing for over twenty years, purchasing supplies from them, first, by mail order and, now that I live in Vancouver, directly from the store.
Supplies are available for a wide variety of media: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, airbrush, and digital media. Studio furniture includes easels, drafting tables, lightboxes, various containers, and lighting solutions.
The staff is very knowledgeable. Have a question? Don’t be afraid to ask. Not only will they give you the inside scoop on what would work best for your lastest project, if you’re buying for a loved one, they will help you put together a package of must haves.
With the best prices, by far, on quality products, they also offer monthly sales. I always shop the sales here, getting supplies at up to 50% off of their already reasonable prices on canvases, paints, brushes, frames, papers, studio furniture — you name it.
If it’s framing you’re after, Opus staff will cut mats to order or, if you’re able, you can cut them yourself. Their large selection of frames cover the gamut of sizes and are sold as either pre-​made frames available in a variety of sizes (with or without mats) or custom sizes.
It’s well worth signing up for their email newsletter. Not only does it inform you of current sales and workshops (yes. they offer workshops!), they often have useful tips and tutorials on cool techniques you might like to try.
Students get a discount so, if you’re one, be sure to let them know!

Got pictures? Need frames, the helpful people in the back of the store will walk you through the process of selecting and framing the picture, photo or whatever you have yourself, go for a few minutes spend the afternoon, leave with exactly what you wanted (but didn’t know you wanted) at a price that is better than anywhere in town. They also have everything any artist short of an arc welder will need and staff that understand what you are talking about, this ain’t no scrapbooking store (I just found out what that is, people actually form clubs to do that form of art work??)

If I could draw, I would totally shop here more often. Opus is a beautiful store — friendly, well-​organized, stocked with quality goods, and not even all that expensive. Lord knows it would be easy for them to be none of these things, given that they’re practically the school supply store for Emily Carr next door and a lot of other artists practicing on Granville Island.
As it is, I can tell you that as writer, I think they have a lovely section of pens, and the presentation folders and portfolios can also come in handy in my line of work as well. They also offer a very good framing service — we’ve had several photographs and pieces of artwork by friends framed here over the years and have always been pleased with the results and the price tag.
Opus loves art.

I fully believe that as you travel through life there are certain milestones that one must pass. kinda like a right of passage. One such milestone was when I was a starving art student one of my favorite things to work with was Prisma colour and at 4 – 5 dollars a pop I could only buy them a few at a time, and I thot the day I owned and entire set of Prisma colours from Opus… meant I had MADE IT! finally made it… and since then I have acquired my very own set to call my own. I know it’s the small things really, and since then Prisma has gone under. blah blah blah. So if your looking to stretch your artistic muscle and need the supplies to do it. I would head straight to this place to get the goods. The best part is that most of the people that work there are working artists themselves and are more than happy to help you achieve your artistic goals. small or large!