Kensington Art Supply & Instruction

I am a local artist and have a free digital art and creativity magazine where I feature other Calgary-based artists, local businesses and upcoming workshops. I was very excited to try a class at Kensington Art Supply (as I featured them for free multiple times in my magazine) and purchased two full day classes for my mom and I as a Christmas gift (~$300). Supplies are not included, so I spent another roughly $100 with them so we were prepared for the class.

Fast forward to the weekend of January 12-14th where Calgary has been under an extreme weather warning due to temperatures as low as -50 degrees celsius with windchill. The day before the class, I had my car plugged in overnight, but it wouldn't start. I was able to get it boosted, and charged up the battery. Planning ahead and considering the class was the next morning which was supposed to be even colder, I knew it was likely that my car would not start and wanted to let KAS know. To attend this class I needed to pick my mom up at 8 am, and drive across the city to the class. AMA had extremely long wait times and I would not be able to get it boosted and running in time. I called Kensington Art Supply to let them know and see if we could move the tickets we purchased to another day.

When I phoned them I was met with a "too bad so sad" attitude and that their policy states no refunds. They were completely unwilling to even transfer the class to another date stating, if you can't make it, that's fine, but you will lose your money because we still have to pay the instructor. The manager even went as far as saying, "Well I had to find a way to come in to work today". I was absolutely appalled at this behaviour and treatment of a customer.

I come from an entrepreneurial background and have owned multiple businesses in the past. I always put my customers first, were willing to hear their side of the story and did everything I could to be flexible and come to an agreeable resolution.

Due to such poor customer service and the unwillingness to find any type of reasonable resolution, I will not support this business any longer.

I do want to state that one of their employees who helped me find supplies for the class when I first booked it was kind and helpful, but my overall experience and impression of KAS has been entirely soured. They are nice when they are trying to get you to spend money with them, but once they have it, you no longer hold value and the business-customer relationship is over.

Awsome as always. Love it there. Such knowledgeable staff. The only problem I have is that I always buy more then I need. I did move to a different location for art classes but I still prefer purchasing my supplies from them.

Awsome as always. Love it there. Such knowledgeable staff. The only problem I have is that I always buy more then I need.

The variety of supplies and the knowledge of the staff are all treasures waiting to be discovered. Such a great place.

So much amazing stuff! Could spend hours looking at everything. Staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend a visit to anyone needing art supply’s or starting a new art related hobby.

I’m not an artist at all but I needed a Christmas gift for a friend. The people working behind the desk stayed late, only a few days before Christmas, and let me get exactly what I needed. Thanks guys!

Colton was very enthusiastic and helpful, he helped me find the paints I needed for plane models.

Paid $100 for a beginners watercolour workshop and didn’t get any instructions at all really. This was Not a beginner class at all! There was no introduction to paints, brushes, paper, techniques or anything like that. Came away with a really ugly painting!

Always great selection and very helpful staff. Couldn't find a brand of pencil that I was looking for and the staff made an excellent recommendation for an alternative.

Love this store, the SIZE, the SELECTION, everything about it. Great selection of brushes and canvas sizes. Staff are usually very kind and helpful too.

Love love love this store. I think it has the best selection out of all the art stores in our city. I have never gone in there and not found what I was looking for, not counting the rare out of stock issues. I feel it’s very well organized and laid out. Things are easy to find. The variety is fantastic! The staff is friendly and helpful. I literally have nothing bad to say about this place at all!

The best Art Supply Store in Canada! Good quality choices, knowledgeable staff, good supply of items. I do art as a hobby, to an ‘expert’ shop keeper my questions sometimes are met with, well, impatience. Not so at this store!

I was so happy to discover an art store that I am comfortable in!

Incredibly well stocked art store, and well trained, experienced, educated staff. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable. Arguably the best art supply store in Calgary!

Yesterday was the first time that I ever visited Kensington Art Supply, and the store very quickly became my happy place. As soon as I entered I was greeted by staff. Shortly thereafter, Mitch came to assist me and he was AMAZING as I went down my list and made him traipse back and forth across the entire store. Mitch was so patient and incredibly knowledgeable and I am so grateful for his help! The store itself is beautifully and logically set out, and has such an amazing variety of products. One of the products I was most excited to see (but did not purchase at this time) was the Stoneground Paint Co watercolours that are made in Canada in Regina, SK. I love that they carry these beautiful Canadian made products. 5 stars simply aren't enough. I am a new and huge fan of Kensington Art, and I am now eager to use up all my current supplies so that I can go back for more!

Wonderful place, good inventory, great prices. We had a headach of a time dealing with people at Micheals so we went out searching and found this gem of a store.

I love the staff at this place. They a very friendly and helpful. So pricing on certain items can be purchased cheaper elsewhere but for the knowledgeable staff you might pay an extra dollar or two. I think it’s worth it personally.

As for parking there is lots!

I go out of my way to visit this store as opposed to one closer to my home. Great staff - super helpful and pleasant and always have everything I need!

The Best art supply store in the city! There is always something new every time I go there & the staff can help you with anything and everything you are looking for.

Store is good with lots of inventory. It is a one Star cause I felt like I didn’t belong. I brought my 6 yr old son in, who has a disability. He has a gift in the arts. He loves drawing with both hands, started getting into minding clay and paints. He was so in awe to see what the store had. He kept showing my the different tools and material that he sees favorite Youtubers use. When we were inside a female employee kept following us down each aisles watching what we we doing. Made me feel uncomfortable. Don’t go if your Native. You will be judge.

Some great sale prices! Took a long time to get through the till! Staff should have been more aware of how a group of customers took over the staff member that was at the till!

This art store is one of my favourite in Calgary. I am always blown away by how much art supplies they have in all mediums and how resourceful their staff is.

Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. I Was able to get what I need and get out with in 10 minutes.

Covid related update: They have updated the tills with the plastic shields and provide customers with hand sanitizer at the front door for use as well as staff were wearing masks. Thank you guys for the effort to keep your customers safe.

Amazing product selection. The staff are very well informed about the products they carry and alternate products. They will carry a wide price range of products as well as many items which are unique compared to an ‘arts & crafts’ store. They offer classes in numerous different media and there is LOTS of free parking onsite.

They had so much selection of pens, markers, pastels, handmade paper and so in and so on. I will definitely be back to this store. It is huge so give yourself a lot of time to get threw it.

If you're not looking to spend a good chunk of your wallet, I would recommend not stepping into this store. The staff are so friendly that they will find you so many new products they have that will interest you as they listen in on your conversations. They delight in seeing their customers' excitement with their stock and will do everything in their power to ensure whatever you are looking for your current artistic muse is satisfied. They will show you items of varying quality and will ensure they try to find you items that are more expensive but will also try to offer more affordable options or alternatives. It's clear all staff love what they do and I cannot think of any other place in the city, I'd go for my artistic adventures. The added bonus is that they offer student and teacher discounts if you show your ID, so go crazy!

These are amazing people, they know exactly what they're talking about every time and are super helpful. Hands down my favourite art store

As an artist it's hard to find stores with in Calgary that you can go to and by well-priced supplies either it's paint canvas brushes Etc Kensington has a good selection knowledgeable staff can Greek teaching facilities and lots of classes offered prices are good some can be a little high so I can be a little low but that's to be expected anywhere I will continue to be shopping there

I like this store. Lots of art stuff that my wife knows all about (sadly I don't).
They no longer carried the item we were looking for but were able to give suggestions on other pieces to satisfy what we needed.
Friendly and helpful staff who were knowledgeable about the products they carry.
Will be back for sure.

They have Etchr sketchbooks and brush pens (kuretake, zig, pentels) that I have not found in Vancouver. Very good collections of art materials. The best art supplies store in Calgary that I have visited.

Great selection of art supplies and paper! Decently priced as well! A good alternative to Delta art supplies in Edmonton!

Amazing staff! So helpful on the phone and in person when I went into the store! Made sure I left with exactly what I was looking for. 10/10 will be back next time I'm feeling creative. Highly recommend going here for your art needs before somewhere like Michaels!:)

Friendly staff, decent selection, good prices. I didn't find what I was looking for, but fountain pen supplies are a bit of a niche market so I wasn't surprised.

Had exactly what I was looking for - 0.4 mm gel pens. The staff was super helpful and let me try the pens out to find the right one. I was using them to sign photographs which are a gift for my buddy's wedding and they even found some photo paper to test them on, really above and beyond for a $4 purchase (I got two.) Thanks so much to the staff, they worked perfectly!

One of my favorite art supply shops in the city. Great selection, friendly knowledgeable staff, and a well organized store. I have yet to take any classes here.

This lovely store carries lots of art products that you can't get at any popular craft store chain, or if these popular places carry your ideal product, Kensington Art Supply & Instruction has it at a better price.

Excellent variety & in stock supply of artists gear. Experienced & helpful staff for beginner to expert artisans. The store can get busy during peak hours and during discount sale events, which translates to line ups at cashiers. Show me an artist that doesn't get excited to buy their supplies at a discount. Highly recommended.

A wonderful resource for artists of all types.
The store is clean bright and staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people. Selection is amazing and prices are good. Had a chat with the owner and enjoy ed my visit immensely.check out the annual garage sale for fun.

I went in to the store to find some nice thin drawing markers for my niece’s birthday and mentioned so. While I picked the beautiful colours, Cheryl folded the cutest origami dog for her! Little did she know my niece loves doggies. Then she put the dog into a tiny clear to-go box and drew a super cute background to add park-like setting for the doggy! Totally blown away! I am so happy I went in there. It reminds me I can make art out of anything and need to remember to do so.

Best place I've been to for art supplies. Prices are generally way better than M******s, quality brands, fantastic selection, and good layout. Keep in mind that this isn't a craft store, and if you're looking for precut foam letters or cute little stamps for your scrapbooking project, this probably isn't the store you want. Bit you should visit anyway because its full of things you never realized you needed.:)

This is the best art store in the city. Staff is always helpful. I never have to hunt for what i want. Just ask the staff and they find it for you.