Columbia Art & Drafting

10/05/09

best I've seen in town...

by splob

I'm only in Portland a few times a year and I always visit this store. Of course it depends on what kind of art you but they do have an overall good selection.

For me it's the paper/pads; it 's hard to find Aqua bee and other heavy weight paper/100 lb pads where I'm from, as I write this, super deluxe pads are 2 for 1! compare online prices -you cannot beat this deal.

• Pros: selection
• Cons: not open on Sunday

04/26/08

Wonderful experience

by samalam

I'm just starting out in art, and went here to buy some painting and charcoal supplies. I found the selection to be so amazing that I could have easily spent hours in the store (actually, I think I did!), yet still organized enough for someone who needs to get in and out in a hurry. The staff members were all very friendly and helpful, and even took the time to answer some questions I had about paper for acrylic painting *while I was already checking out*! I learned so many new things just from that short conversation, and I can definitely say that I will be returning here as my experiences in art grow. I'm so glad to have found it.

• Pros: friendly, knowledgeable staff, available street parking, huge selection

03/30/08

what its good for

by catalyzed

Columbia has the best price of brushes and the largest selection of the art stores in portland. it also has more craft like material, an amazing selection of specialty papers and craft kits. There is a student discount too, ask for it before hand and you''ll avoid the mad eye. Great staff who is helpful but will leave you alone to browse until you find what you need/want.

• Pros: selection of brushes

02/04/08

Saving time is saving money

by tugboatAnnie

Columbia Art has come a long way. They have been in the SE area for at least 30 years, but it

was when they took over the Lyman Slack building that they really offered just about

everything for the professional or budding artist. If you compare what they offer to Art

Media, Michael's or Utrecht, it averages out. I have never had a problem with staff, and

I don't feel like I am ever pulling them away from something 'more important'. Rita is

especially helpful, and I have sent many new painters to her so that they buy the proper

start-up supplies. I think it's evident that some of the writers have reviewed staff and

store based only on their personal agendas. Give some credit to a local family who has

done a good job of building their business.

• Pros: Great selection-always new products as they become available!
• Cons: Parking can sometimes be tough.

12/08/07

Ok store

by artfulintent

Columbia Art & Drafting Supply definitely has its pluses and minuses. Overall, its a good art store and I think all the comments will be honored and hopefully something good will come out of it.

12/05/07

Lost my business

by needartsupplies

I always thought this place was the most expensive art store in town but I went there because its had decent stock and its easy access parking. There is only about 2 sales people there, that are really helpful. The owners are the least helpful of them all. There was a an item that was not put in my bag when i went home and checked the receipt, sure enough I paid for it. So, I went back to tell them my $3.51 marker was not in the bag and they said to check my car (which I did before running back to the store - 3 times). I checked my car extremely, thoroughly and it was not there. When I explained this, they just said sorry we always put things left on the counter in a box for the customers to return and get it. What I think is that it was never put in the box. So, reinforces the attitude that all customers are out to screw small businesses and that the customer is never right. With this experience, I was totally turned off and will go out of my way to visit Art Media or Utrecht. Its just too bad.

• Pros: Decent stock, decent street parking, buy one get one free table
• Cons: Expensive, hours are short, not open on sunday, very few helpful sales people

11/25/07

Columbia Art

by deebaker

I shopped at Columbia Art long before the present owners arrived. My experience then was barely "OK." The new owners' hard work and business acumen has created a wonderful and amazing 1 stop shopping experience , especially for artists living on the east side of the river. Before they took over, we were limited to art supplies by catalog or the misery of traveling long distances in Portland's traffic only to find the item needed was not available.

Some items may seem a bit higher but they are very fair in discounting for students, and considering traffic and gas prices, some higher priced items are still affordable. And as important to me, is the congeniality and knowledge of their store clerks. The owners are especially eager to please of course. In addition, "Rita" is clearly an important asset in knowledge and helpfulness. I appreciate that she never leaves me wondering whether or not I have made the best choice! She has helped me "work out" solutions in detail. Also, their framer Justin, who is rather new, already has displayed knowledge and patience in helping me find a solution for framing needs.

It is also well to note that the owners of Columbia Art care about our community and are generous participants, particularly when and where the Arts need support.

I appreciate the opportunity to comment. Thank you!

• Pros: Quality, Quantity, knowledgeable and friendly help
• Cons: none

11/13/07

Great Selection & Student Discounts!

by jadys

I've been in this store a few times to buy supplies for, of all things, sewing classes. This store has an excellent selection of drafting supplies from compasses to rulers of all kinds. It's a bit out of my way, since I live in Beaverton, but I like it SO much better than Art Media on Cedar Hills Blvd that I'm willing to make the drive. I've had excellent service every time I've been in, and had NO trouble communicating with any of the staff. The prices did shock me at first, but when I shopped around, they were pretty competitive, especially compared to some sewing professionals' websites (on which you must pay shipping, so any price difference is negated by s&h and wait time for product). Another bonus is the student discount (either 10 or 20%, I can't remember). And that is easy to get also. All you have to do is show a current class syllabus. No runaround about it. I'd definitely recommend them if you have something soecific in mind.

• Pros: great quality and selection
• Cons: parking and distance from my home

11/01/07

High quality Service and knowledgeable staff!

by tarasullivan

Gosh, my experience with the woman, Rita by name(not Medusa), in the paper department to be quite different from another review in this list. I found her to be exceptional in service, and really knowledgeable about not only paper, but just about every thing I have ever wanted to buy there. I am a regular customer there, and have found Tao and Bang-Tram, the owners, (who by the way are NOT Chinese, but Vietnamese) to be delightful people and totally conversant in English. The store is a full service art supply store. Yes, it is more expensive than some other places in Portland, but I don't have time to shop. I am a professional, and I need service and product. I don't want to spend my time running around town to save $1.00 or so on various items. I love shopping here. If you are a watercolor artist, be sure to talk to Tanya. She knows so much about watercolor. I learn something every single time I go here to shop.

07/14/07

If you shop here, you support the fall of mankind!

by mabenn

Well, sort of. Sure it's pricy, but Columbia Art & Drafting Supply is a good alternative to those horrendously yuppie supply stores in the Pearl District and the christian cult craft stores like Michael's. I would love to take advantage of its easy location and great supplies, but I will always boycott this store on principle alone. If you have been there you will know what I mean by the phrase "when service feels like invasive surgery." If you haven't, I encourage you take an adventure in the poster board section of the room and try to get the evil witch of paper goods to help you. The woman who sits post in the back of the room most weekdays is a testament to the fall of good (heck, even adequate) customer service in modern civilization. This woman, let's call her "Medusa", looks and acts like she was just released from the personality disorder department at Oregon State Hospital. You're lucky if she even acknowledges your presence, and luckier if she shifts her lead bum off the chair to help you find what you're looking for. Rude, abrasive, and very lazy, this woman has incited more frustration, rage, and a feeling of powerlessness to countless customers. I'd rather have all my body hair waxed off then have to deal with her. What's more, she has made her way into local legend as being the albatross of art stores citywide. I have had countless unsolicited complaint sessions with colleagues and friends about this snake-woman. What's worse, when you complain to the owner, he simply says "Yeah, I know." Evidently very aware of her ascerbic, cantakerous ways, yet surprisingly unwilling to do anything about it and maintain his store's reputation. I'm not being dramatic here. She is awful! And reason enough for a city-wide boycott of the store until she is removed to the back where, by the way, there seems to be a bit of Chinese sweatshop going on, or re-committed to the Bedlum from which she came.

• Pros: Cool stuff
• Cons: Service from the River Styxx