The 6 Best Places to Buy Art Supplies in Dubai
Looking to indulge your imagination and start honing your art skills? Then you’re going to need to buy art supplies in Dubai in order to get started.
Whether you are looking to start painting, work on carving up some wood or even do some papercraft, knowing where to find the best places to get your art supplies in Dubai can go a long way. To help you with this, we’ve gathered a list of our favourite shops in the area.
How Much Does it Cost to Buy Art Supplies in Dubai
The price of art supplies will vary based on factors like brand, item type, and shipping fees if applicable. To give you an idea of how much you might spend, you can check out this table below:
Choosing the Best Places to Buy Art Supplies in Dubai
When it comes to choosing the best places to buy art supplies in Dubai, we’ve taken a look at the following factors to make it more convenient for you.
1. Creative Minds
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Creative Minds is a great one-stop shop for all your arts and crafts needs. We particularly like the variety of items available, ranging from paint, stationary, scrapbooking, and even woodworking supplies and equipment.
In our opinion, this makes Creative Minds a good starting point for buying art supplies in Dubai. Their store is massive, with well-stocked sections dedicated to a multitude of different hobbies and crafts.
In a way though, we think the sheer size of the store does work against it at times. We have found ourselves requiring assistance and unable to locate any staff.
We also think shopping here is a significant time investment, especially if you’re browsing around with a plan or a list of sorts. Due to the size of the store and the inventory on display, we think it is quite easy to spend over an hour just looking at the different items.
We also found some of the items, like yarn and costume-making supplies, to be a bit more expensive compared to other stores. It is definitely one thing to keep in mind before heading to this store.
Still, Creative Minds does cater to a wide array of crafts and hobbies, so we think it is a good one-stop shop if you prefer everything to be in one place. It can be quite convenient and good value for money, since you no longer have to browse different stores.
Pros
- Huge variety of items and art equipment
- Store is well-organised, making it easy to find the necessary items
Cons
- Huge store might make it hard to find help at times
- Some supplies like yarn are more expensive compared to other stores
Customer Reviews
“If you have a arts and crafts project, this is THE place for you to shop”
“If you have a arts and crafts project, this is THE place for you to shop. They also have various types of party supplies, it’s massive seriously. They even have kitchen appliances, for cooking and baking.
The prices are different, based on the brands but I would say it’s pricey.” – f.s
“Definitely worth a visit for inspiration or when looking for something specific”
“A mind boggling treasure trove of arts and crafts supplies in one store with a second store a short walk away providing educational equipment. Definitely worth a visit for inspiration or when looking for something specific.” – Stephen Walker
2. Dubai Library Distributors
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
If you’re looking to get art supplies at a rather reasonable price, then you might want to check out one of Dubai Library Distribution’s branches. The stores offer a lot of high-quality art supplies from different international brands like Mont Mart, Fila, Brunzel, Clair Fontan, and many others.
Their stores are well-organised and full of painting supplies, canvases, and brushes neatly tucked in their own corner. In our opinion, the fact that they carry a selection of specialised Pebo and Mont Mart brushes, which typically sell out fast, can be a huge boon to artists looking for these materials.
Their items are generally affordable but we do want to note that the stationery here can still be a bit more expensive than other stores. We don’t think it’s too high to be deemed as non-competitive, but shoppers may want to keep this in mind.
They have multiple locations, which helps a lot with accessibility for their customers. However, some locations, such as the one in Al Warqa, do have limited parking spaces, so it might be best to visit those earlier in the day.
In our opinion, Dubai Library Distribution is a good spot to shop for fledgling artists because of the store’s reasonable prices. While not all of the branches are created equal in terms of space, the sheer number of stores they have also makes them quite accessible as an added bonus as well.
Pros
- Competitive prices for paint supplies
- Well-organised stores with clear directions
Cons
- Some stationery supplies are on the expensive side
- Parking space is difficult in some locations
Customer Reviews
“Huge selection of stationery, arts and crafts, school bags, books for kids in Arabic”
“Huge selection of stationery, arts and crafts, school bags, books for kids in Arabic, and much more. Staff is very professional, polite and helpful.” – Lydia L.
“Good place and reasonable price”
“I find all stationery requirements here really good place and reasonable price.” – Ramya K.
3. Craftbox
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★☆☆ (4.5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Founded back in 2013, Craftbox offers a wide variety of arts and crafts supplies from different suppliers all over the world. They are typically known to provide supplies to teachers, schools, nurseries, and even parents to help get kids interested in making art.
In our opinion, this original mission does extend to the design of their stores. It appears like a massive play area where kids can explore, play, and just let their imagination run wild.
This store gives off a lot of energy, with kids playing with the different role-play equipment and toys. We think people looking to browse in peace and quiet may want to keep this in mind before visiting the store.
They also have an online art supply store that people can check out though. We think that prices at both their online shop and their physical location are quite competitive as well, so parents and teachers don’t need to worry.
However, we think it’s unfortunate that the physical store is closed on Fridays. In our opinion, this makes it a little inconvenient for those looking to buy supplies on that day in order to start painting or creating over the weekend.
Still, their kid-friendly focus makes them a good stop for both parents and teachers. So if you are either of those, you might want to give Craftbox a try when looking to buy art supplies in Dubai.
Pros
- Perfect place for letting kids play while you browse
- Good selection of supplies at reasonable prices
Cons
- Closed on Fridays
- Place can feel overwhelming for quiet shoppers
Customer Reviews
“Excellent customer service and high quality products”
“So happy to shop from your craft box store. Excellent customer service and high quality products. Will definitely shop again soon. A vast range of craft supplies.” – Latika Rathore
“A good idea to keep kids entertained”
“Friendly great staff, great venue for kiddies birthday parties and a good venue for arts and crafts for the kids. A good idea to keep kids entertained.” – Gustav Damons
4. Canvas Art Store
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
If you are looking for more ‘professional-level’ equipment for your art needs, then we think you can check out Canvas Art Store. The store carries a wide variety of art supplies as well as acting as the official distributors of Winsor & Newton Company, who is well-known for their fine art materials.
In our opinion, this means the store targets a certain level of experience in artists. However, we found that their staff is quite friendly and professional all the same, entertaining most of our questions while also sharing some tips and recommendations when it comes to the specific project we described.
We think the way the store is organised needs a little bit of work however. For instance, it might be helpful to have a “try-me sample palette” or guide when it comes to their paints so that the customers don’t have to take too long inspecting the paint tubes and squeezing them.
They offer quite a bit of benefits as well. For one, you can sign up for a store membership and get a 10% discount across most of the expensive high-end brands they carry in the store.
We think checkout is quite smooth and they can even offer to order an item for you if they don’t have it in store yet. They’ll give you a call once the item arrives and you can just pick it up.
So if you are after some of the best art supplies in town, definitely check out Canvas Art Store in Dubai.
Pros
- 10% discount across all products for members
- Willing to make a custom order for you if they don’t have an item
Cons
- More high-end brands they carry are expensive
- Store organisation needs some work
Customer Reviews
“They’ve got brands like Winsor & Newton and Daler-Rowney that are cost-competitively priced”
“I got my first artists-quality oil paints and brushes for my painting classes from this store few years ago hence this store has got a special place in my heart. They’ve got brands like Winsor & Newton and Daler-Rowney that are cost-competitively priced.
Overall they’re a bit pricey bit their products are worth the value.” – Mily Alice Byju
“Very peaceful quiet place, great for browsing and exploring art supplies”
“Very peaceful quiet place, great for browsing and exploring art supplies. The woman at the store was super helpful too without being intrusive.” – Nidhi Kumar
5. Creativa Middle East
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
When it comes to mixed media, Creativa stands out as one of the best places to look for art supplies in the Middle East. Many customers browse and recommend the shop due to its good prices on decoupage supplies like glue, colored paper, and gilding effects.
Because of this, we think Creativa has a certain style of art it caters to, and its inventory reflects that. We think this isn’t quite the one-stop shop for supplies the way others are, but anyone looking to work with decoupage paper crafts and materials like resin.
Likewise, their store is also on the smaller side though we think they are able to accommodate a good selection of the items they specialise in. Due to the smaller floor area though, we found it hard to reach for certain items near the window areas while other people were also browsing.
Staff is very helpful though and we think they’ve been able to answer most of our inquiries regarding the styles they specialise in.
Now, for those looking to get their items delivered to their doorstep, they offer a timely delivery service as well. We think the way they packaged the items deserves a mention since it was all stored in a safe manner.
So if you are after papercrafts, glue, and other mixed media materials, we definitely think you should give Creativa a try.
Pros
- Great prices on decoupage supplies
- Good packaging for online orders and delivery
Cons
- Selection is a lot smaller though it is a lot more focused
- Store is a little small, making it feel cramped during peak hours
Customer Reviews
“They have a lot of different art materials on affordable prices”
“One of the best art shops in Dubai! The staff is very friendly and helpful. They have a lot of different art materials on affordable prices. Don’t hesitate to go and buy something! Thank you Creativa Middle East!” – Radka Gicheva
“Nothing is too much trouble and they make an extra effort to source art materials that students and teachers need”
“Creativa has been a really great asset to Dubai International Art Centre. Nothing is too much trouble and they make an extra effort to source art materials that students and teachers need. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough!” – Judy Shinnick Art Studio
6. Dryad General Trading LLC
RATING | |
INVENTORY | ★★★★★ (4/5) |
PHYSICAL STORE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ ORGANISATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
⮕ CLEANLINESS | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
⮕ PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
⮕ CHECKOUT | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Dryad General Trading LLC is a premier art supply store in Dubai, catering to the educational sector as well as retail customers. With over 30 years of experience, Dryad Education has established itself as the leading supplier of education resources in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) and the wider Middle East and North Africa (M.E.N.A.) region.
The store boasts an extensive range of over 100,000 products, which undergo rigorous testing by their in-house experts, teachers, and technicians. This commitment to quality ensures that customers have access to the latest products and techniques from top educational suppliers. Whether it’s art supplies, science equipment, textiles, music instruments, or sports gear, Dryad Education offers comprehensive solutions for educational establishments and government organizations.
What sets Dryad Education apart is its focus on customer service. Their dedicated customer service department is readily available to address inquiries and provide assistance. Technical sales representatives are also on hand to offer specialized guidance to customers.
With a distribution center in Dubai, Dryad Education offers prompt delivery and excellent value for money. Customers can rely on the store’s reputation for delivering the highest quality materials at competitive prices. Whether you need materials for a school project or professional artwork, Dryad General Trading LLC is your go-to destination.
To stay updated on the latest news, offers, and competitions, customers can sign up for Dryad Education’s newsletter. By doing so, they can stay informed about new products and exclusive promotions.
Pros
- Premier art supply store in Dubai.
- Extensive range of over 100,000 products.
- Commitment to quality and rigorous testing.
- Exceptional customer service and prompt delivery.
Cons
- Closed on Sunday
Customer Reviews
“Lovely place for art supplies. They have it all” – Zaakesh Mulla
“You will find all you need for making good art” – Zaheer Muhammad
FAQs about Art Supplies in Dubai
We hope you enjoy the process of making art and hope that it turns into a valuable hobby for you. If you want to apply your creative skill in something like throwing a party, you may also want to check out our list of the best places to buy party supplies in Dubai here.