By Kelly Downing
Gone are the days of overflowing suitcases with art supplies purchased on overseas trips. Today, the artists of Riyadh have their choice of locally-sourced supplies with the quality to match their talents. A variety of paints, sculpting clays, drawing pencils, charcoals, inks, and canvases. These are all found in abundance in the city’s art stores. Here are four must-visit shops that offer the instruments to bring creative thoughts to life.
Color Theory: Artist Owned
The first thing you notice when entering this store is a public bulletin board, a sure indication of the community vibe within. Local artists’ paintings and handcrafts are on display and available for sale. Most notable of all, the owner, Ahmed, skillfully balances greeting his customers with answering questions about the products, including the helpful advice of where you can purchase an out-of-stock item. All of these qualities make the store a standout. But, do they actually have the products? Oh yes, they do. With a product collection curated by the artist-owner, there are hard-to-find practical pieces (such as a large selection of pigment markers) along with intriguing mediums that a creative mind may want to experiment with. Unique items include wood slices and trunks, alcohol inks, crystal resin, soap base, and chunky yarn.
Location: 2656 Shaikh Abudullah Al Anqari Street, Salah Ad Din
Hours: 4PM-10:30PM daily
Phone: 0534883311
Social Media: @colortheoryksa
Curio Art Supplies: Specialized Variety
Three-story windows invite you in, creating a modern feel in this store. Products are notably sourced from different countries – Japan, USA, UK, Netherlands, France – presumably chosen with quality in mind. Abundant shelf space allows for many varieties of the same type of product to be found. If you’re looking for a particular shade or finish, you may have your choice here. For example, in the fabric dyes category, acid, procion, silk, dy-na-flow, solar fast, tie dye, and inkjet printable sheets are all available. Unique products include powdered pigments, mason jars, and specialty spray paints (magnetic, dry erase, glow in the dark and chalkboard).
Location: 2448 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd (Thalatheen St) & Prince Turki Bin Adulzaziz Al Awwal Rd, Al Mathar Ash Shamali
Hours: 9 AM- 11PM (Friday from 4PM)
Phone: 0110240777
Website: www.curioartsupplies.com
Instagram & Facebook: @curioartsupplies
Twitter: @CurioKSA
Jarir: Box Store Assortment
Known mostly for its books and electronics selection, Jarir Bookstore has gained a reputation for a notable arts and crafts department. Here you will find the basics to get started in almost any type of art form you can imagine, as well as obscure items to make your Pinterest dreams come true. Unique items include oversize sets of drawing pens and sketch markers, supplies for paper mache, mosaics, leather-craft, metal craft, and block printing.
Locations: Many locations including Althagir Plaza Hiteen, Rubeen Plaza Hiteen, Panorama Mall, Olaya Street, Exit 5, Exit 6, Hayat Mall, Narjis, Alhamra, Khorais Road, Rabwah, Malaz
Hours: Vary by location
Phone: 920000089
Website: www.jarir.com
Social Media: @jarirbookstore
Al Shark Book Store: A Treasure Hunt
Don’t write this store off for being located in a souq. This is the original one-stop shop for art, craft and stationary supplies. With two floors, you could spend hours shopping here. Head directly to the right side of the store to scour the art supplies. Shopping here is an adventure as you walk the endless aisles and find yourself digging through boxes on the floor. Yet, the experience is worth it when treasure is found. It’s likely that you’ll find exactly what you came to find on the well-stocked shelves. It’s equally as likely that you’ll leave with an armful of items that are just perfect for something else unexpected. Unsurprisingly, quality and price vary.
Location: The SE corner of Souq Taiba facing Olaya Street. Second location in Alquds.
Hours: 8:30AM-12PM & 4PM-10:30PM (No morning shift on Friday)
Phone: 0114546823
More art supplies and stores in Riyadh:
SAMA Shop and Tihama
Online stores that ships to KSA: thelittlesouq.com / dickblick.com / eckersleys.com.au / dharmatrading.com
