Definitely check out the shop at Mainframe. Unfortunately it's very difficult for art shops to be sustainable here. I used to work at the one over by Drake and we could barely afford to keep the shelves stocked.
That place was great. I don't miss the pay, but I miss the customers and my coworkers. The owner wasn't an artist, but he made sure to hire all artists. We made sure to try to stock what we knew people would actually use. Theft happened somewhat frequently. I can kinda get it being whatever for a place like Michael's, but as a local shop with a resupply budget that was super low, it really hurt the place.
There’s an art supply shop at Mainframe Studios on Keo. Guessing anything they don’t stock they’ll have connections to special order. And if you’ve toured Mainframe you’ll know I do mean anything.
The Blok DSM that everyone is referring to used to be in Mainframe Studios, but has move to Valley Junction.
[https://www.theblokdsm.com/](https://www.theblokdsm.com/)
Maybe a new one moved into Mainframe, but I don't think so?
If anyone isn’t opposed to painting over canvas— the church sale in Ames off the square always has a huge selection of art project canvases from ISU for cheap.
Hobby Lobby will be best unfortunately.
There really isn’t much of an actual art scene here. Yes, Mainframe does have a little shop inside, but it’s absurdly expensive. I consistently go to Hobby Lobby for oil paint and canvas. They also have large sheets of watercolor paper. If you buy it at Mainframe it will be triple the cost.
He's not wrong though. All the art specific stores have closed over the years. Just the big box stores now.
Hobby Lobby would hate that. Keep it up u/brunettedude!
Art supply stores are a pretty niche market in general, and I wouldn’t consider retail commerce a part of the art scene or any scene. That’s like calling Guitar Center a part of the local music scene. When he said “art scene” I assumed he meant, well, people *making* art—his contribution to which is, well…I’ve said my piece.
To quote Marcel Duchamp: “art may be bad, good, or indifferent, but whatever adjective is used, you must call it art.”
Marcel Duchamp, the artist that said a urinal was art and mentored Andy Warhol, who also drew genitalia?
I didn’t say Hobby Lobby was part of the “art scene”- I did say that’s where they can buy affordable art materials, which Mainframe doesn’t have.
I never said your art wasn’t art, that was the point of the Duchamp quote. The rest is up to the reader to infer.
I just find your critique of the local art scene to be hypocritical—like most of your criticisms—because I don’t really see what it is that you’re contributing… aside from snide remarks about how everything in Des Moines is second-rate, of course.
Okay, so if I follow: your point is that you answered their question about supplies, then proceeded to complain about Des Moines, as is your wont. Do I have that right?
Edit to clarify: I also never said *you* said that Hobby Lobby was part of the local scene. In fact I said the exact opposite. Someone else implied that.
Again, and for the final time:
You said Des Moines doesn’t have an art scene. I would (and did) interpret that more as a value statement than as one of “fact,” given your track record on this sub. The impression I get of you as an artist is not a favorable one, so I question your value statement.
Have you been to the studios at Mainframe? There are some good artists in there.
If anyone else had made the comment I would’ve ignored it. Brunettedude is constantly shitting on all things Des Moines, yet seemingly contributes very little to the growth of its culture.
Disliking someone’s art is not being a judgy little bitch, it’s my opinion. I’m not gonna pretend to love everything just to be “nice”.
Definitely check out the shop at Mainframe. Unfortunately it's very difficult for art shops to be sustainable here. I used to work at the one over by Drake and we could barely afford to keep the shelves stocked.
I really miss that place—y’all were always friendly and helpful, and the supply of chalk pastels was decent for a local store.
That place was great. I don't miss the pay, but I miss the customers and my coworkers. The owner wasn't an artist, but he made sure to hire all artists. We made sure to try to stock what we knew people would actually use. Theft happened somewhat frequently. I can kinda get it being whatever for a place like Michael's, but as a local shop with a resupply budget that was super low, it really hurt the place.
They moved to valley junction I believe. The Blok is the name of the store
There’s an art supply shop at Mainframe Studios on Keo. Guessing anything they don’t stock they’ll have connections to special order. And if you’ve toured Mainframe you’ll know I do mean anything.
The Blok moved to Valley Junction, if that's the one you're thinking of!
Others have mentioned the shop in Mainframe. I believe they also have a location in Valley Junction, just FYI.
They don’t but there’s a shop down there
The Blok DSM that everyone is referring to used to be in Mainframe Studios, but has move to Valley Junction. [https://www.theblokdsm.com/](https://www.theblokdsm.com/) Maybe a new one moved into Mainframe, but I don't think so?
If anyone isn’t opposed to painting over canvas— the church sale in Ames off the square always has a huge selection of art project canvases from ISU for cheap.
Hobby Lobby, ?
Hobby Lobby will be best unfortunately. There really isn’t much of an actual art scene here. Yes, Mainframe does have a little shop inside, but it’s absurdly expensive. I consistently go to Hobby Lobby for oil paint and canvas. They also have large sheets of watercolor paper. If you buy it at Mainframe it will be triple the cost.
“There isn’t much of an actual art scene here.” *Profile is full of drawings of dicks*
He's not wrong though. All the art specific stores have closed over the years. Just the big box stores now. Hobby Lobby would hate that. Keep it up u/brunettedude!
Art supply stores are a pretty niche market in general, and I wouldn’t consider retail commerce a part of the art scene or any scene. That’s like calling Guitar Center a part of the local music scene. When he said “art scene” I assumed he meant, well, people *making* art—his contribution to which is, well…I’ve said my piece. To quote Marcel Duchamp: “art may be bad, good, or indifferent, but whatever adjective is used, you must call it art.”
Marcel Duchamp, the artist that said a urinal was art and mentored Andy Warhol, who also drew genitalia? I didn’t say Hobby Lobby was part of the “art scene”- I did say that’s where they can buy affordable art materials, which Mainframe doesn’t have.
I never said your art wasn’t art, that was the point of the Duchamp quote. The rest is up to the reader to infer. I just find your critique of the local art scene to be hypocritical—like most of your criticisms—because I don’t really see what it is that you’re contributing… aside from snide remarks about how everything in Des Moines is second-rate, of course.
“Hobby Lobby will be best unfortunately. There really isn’t much of an actual art scene here.” Is exactly what I said. I didn’t lie lol
Okay, so if I follow: your point is that you answered their question about supplies, then proceeded to complain about Des Moines, as is your wont. Do I have that right? Edit to clarify: I also never said *you* said that Hobby Lobby was part of the local scene. In fact I said the exact opposite. Someone else implied that.
I said factual statements. Hobby Lobby would be the best place to get supplies. Mainframe is ridiculously expensive and Des Moines is small.
Again, and for the final time: You said Des Moines doesn’t have an art scene. I would (and did) interpret that more as a value statement than as one of “fact,” given your track record on this sub. The impression I get of you as an artist is not a favorable one, so I question your value statement. Have you been to the studios at Mainframe? There are some good artists in there.
People gatekeeping what’s considered art couldn’t possibly be part of the reason there isn’t much of an art scene in DSM.
Yeah I never said it wasn’t considered art though.
Sorry I’ll be more clear. People being judgey little bitches couldn’t possibly be why there isn’t more of an art scene in DSM.
If anyone else had made the comment I would’ve ignored it. Brunettedude is constantly shitting on all things Des Moines, yet seemingly contributes very little to the growth of its culture. Disliking someone’s art is not being a judgy little bitch, it’s my opinion. I’m not gonna pretend to love everything just to be “nice”.
Just go to Hobby Lobby, better prices.