Art Creations in Chattanooga: Full-Service Art Supply Store with Custom Framing
Art Creations is an independent art supply retailer located on Main Street that stocks both student and professional-grade materials alongside an in-house custom framing operation, serving everyone from classroom teachers to working artists in the Chattanooga area.
What Art Creations actually is
The store occupies roughly 2,000 square feet and splits its inventory between art supplies on one side and a dedicated framing studio on the other. Unlike chain retailers that dedicate minimal floor space to art materials, Art Creations prioritizes depth within categories: the paint section carries acrylics, oils, watercolors, and gouache from brands including Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, and Grumbacher, plus student-tier lines from Blick and Speedball. The drawing section stocks graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, and specialty papers. The framing operation handles matting, mounting, glass selection, and hardware in-house rather than outsourcing, which affects both turnaround time and customization options.
Supplies and pricing
Paint ranges from $4 to $45 per tube depending on brand and pigment (student acrylics start around $4; professional oils from Gamblin run $20 to $45). Sketchbooks and paper pads span $8 to $60. Brushes cost $3 to $28 for individual pieces, with brush sets at $15 to $80. Canvas stretcher bars and pre-stretched canvas run $6 to $90 depending on size. Specialty items like alcohol markers, printmaking inks, and sculpture tools are available but less extensively stocked than at larger retailers.
Custom framing starts at $50 for a basic frame with single mat and glass for small work, scaling to $300 to $500 for large pieces with multiple mats, specialty glass (UV-protective or museum-grade), and decorative frame styles. Typical turnaround for standard custom framing is 7 to 10 business days; rush orders incur a 25 percent premium and take 3 to 4 days. Verify current pricing before visiting, as frame samples and mat options change seasonally.
How it compares to other Chattanooga options
Blick Art Materials operates a location in nearby areas with wider national inventory and online ordering; Blick skews toward professional artists and design students, carries more expensive specialty brands, and offers same-day local delivery on large orders. Dick Blick also stocks some supplies but functions primarily as a school supply chain rather than a destination for serious art materials. Big-box retailers like Michaels and Joann stock student-grade supplies at lower prices but offer minimal selection in professional brands and no in-house framing expertise. Art Creations fills the middle ground: it carries working-artist supplies without the premium pricing of specialty studios, and its framing operation eliminates the need to coordinate with a separate vendor.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Art Creations works well for K-12 teachers buying classroom supplies in moderate bulk, hobbyists transitioning to better materials, local artists who frame regularly, and anyone needing custom framing same-week. It does not stock industrial supplies like screen-printing equipment or large-format printing media. Buyers seeking rock-bottom student prices on single items should compare to Michaels first. Artists requiring rare pigments or experimental materials may need to order online from specialty suppliers.
What the first visit involves
Walk-in browsing is welcome. Staff can discuss material choices (acrylic versus oil, student versus professional grade) and explain frame options by showing samples. If you bring artwork to be framed, the staff will discuss mat colors, glass types, and frame styles, show you mockups, and quote the job. Most customers spend 30 to 45 minutes for a framing consultation and material selection. If you know exactly what you need, a quick supply run takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Art Creations operates Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Street parking is available on Main Street; a small lot adjacent to the building provides additional spots. The store is located within walking distance of downtown Chattanooga's arts district. Confirm current hours before visiting, as retail hours occasionally shift seasonally.
Art Creations justifies its position in Chattanooga's retail landscape because it combines materials expertise with in-house framing capability, eliminating the logistical friction of sourcing supplies and finishing work from separate vendors. For local artists and educators, that integration saves time and money.
