This Maryland Art Supply Store Is a Treasure Trove for Creative Minds

Art supply stores are dangerous in the best way. You walk in for one thing and leave with a bag full of inspiration.

This Maryland shop is a treasure trove for creative minds. Paints, brushes, paper, canvas, and everything in between.

The selection is impressive, and the staff actually knows their products. Artists love this spot for the variety.

Hobbyists appreciate the friendly advice. Students find affordable options that still deliver quality.

The atmosphere is welcoming, the prices are reasonable, and the creative energy is contagious. You might come in with a project in mind, or just let the supplies inspire you as you browse.

That is the magic of a Maryland art supply store. A place that feeds creativity and makes you want to make something new.

A Store That Feels Like a Creative Universe

Some stores feel like they were built for a purpose beyond just selling things, and Art Things is one of them. Nestled inside Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, this shop carries a spirit that is hard to pin down but immediately felt.

It is part art supply depot, part creative sanctuary, and part community hub, all rolled into one compact, color-drenched space.

The layout draws you in gradually. Shelves are stacked with paints, brushes, canvases, papers, and tools in a way that feels organized but never sterile.

There is always something unexpected just around the corner, a set of calligraphy nibs, a handmade journal, or a greeting card with a design so clever it stops you mid-stride.

What makes the store feel genuinely special is the intention behind every product choice. Nothing here feels like filler.

The inventory reflects a deep understanding of what artists, designers, architects, and hobbyists actually need. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone just picking up a brush for the first time, the selection meets you exactly where you are.

The atmosphere is playful and warm without trying too hard. Natural light, cheerful displays, and the faint smell of paper and paint create a sensory backdrop that makes browsing feel like a small adventure.

It is the kind of shop that rewards slow exploration. Go with time to spare, because you will absolutely want it.

Over 500 Mona Lisas and a Whole Lot of Character

Here is a fun fact that genuinely stopped me in my tracks: Art Things houses a collection of over 500 altered interpretations of the Mona Lisa, displayed throughout the store. They call it the “Altered States of Mona Lisa” collection, and it is exactly as wild and wonderful as it sounds.

Each version reimagines Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic subject in a completely different style, medium, or cultural context.

Some pieces are humorous, some are abstract, and others are surprisingly moving. The collection has developed its own loyal following among regular customers, many of whom come back just to see what new additions have appeared.

It is one of those quirky, joyful details that transforms a shopping trip into something closer to a gallery visit.

The display also says something important about the store’s philosophy. Art Things is not just interested in selling supplies; it celebrates creativity in all its forms.

Having 500-plus variations on a single subject is a quiet but powerful statement about how many ways there are to see and interpret the world around us.

For kids especially, the collection sparks instant curiosity. I watched a young visitor point excitedly at each version, trying to spot differences and similarities.

That kind of organic engagement with art history is rare and genuinely valuable. It turns a casual shopping errand into a moment of discovery, and that is something worth celebrating in any community space.

Staff Who Actually Know Their Craft

Good customer service is common enough, but knowledgeable customer service from people who genuinely live and breathe art is a different thing entirely. Every staff member at Art Things is either a working artist or holds a degree in art or art education.

Collectively, the team brings more than 50 years of hands-on expertise to the shop floor, and it shows in every interaction.

I asked a fairly specific question about the difference between cold-press and hot-press watercolor paper, half-expecting a shrug. Instead, I got a detailed, enthusiastic explanation that also touched on which paper works best for different brush techniques.

That kind of depth is not something you find at a big-box craft retailer. It is the product of genuine passion combined with real experience.

The staff are also happy to help customers track down materials that are not already on the shelves. Special orders are part of the service, and the team can even put together customized art sets for specific needs or projects.

That flexibility makes the store genuinely useful for professionals and students alike.

For beginners, having access to that level of guidance can be the difference between feeling lost and feeling inspired. There is no judgment here, only encouragement and practical advice.

Whether you are searching for the right gesso for a mixed-media project or just trying to figure out which colored pencils blend smoothly, someone on the floor will point you in exactly the right direction.

Art Classes for Every Age and Skill Level

Art Things is not content to just sell supplies and send people on their way. The store runs a full program of art classes designed for all ages and experience levels, making it a real creative hub within the Annapolis community.

The range of past offerings gives a sense of just how broad and imaginative the curriculum is.

Classes have included Acrylic Painting, Block Carving, How to Draw Anime, Japanese Fish Printing, Kids Friday Night Paint Night, and Watercolors. That is a lineup that manages to feel both traditional and genuinely current.

The Anime drawing class, in particular, speaks to a younger generation’s artistic interests in a way that many institutions overlook.

Since February 2019, the store has offered weeklong afterschool programs specifically for elementary and middle school children. Each session is capped at ten students, which keeps the instruction personal and attentive.

Small class sizes mean kids actually learn rather than just going through the motions, and that makes a real difference in how much they take away from each session.

Looking ahead, the store has plans to introduce art therapy classes for seniors, which reflects a thoughtful understanding of how creativity supports wellbeing at every stage of life.

Art therapy is increasingly recognized for its mental health benefits, and having that resource available locally is genuinely meaningful.

For Annapolis residents, Art Things is becoming much more than a shop; it is a place where creative lives are actively built and nurtured.

The Creative Kids Department Is a Whole World of Its Own

Somewhere between the brushes and the calligraphy supplies, there is a corner of Art Things that belongs entirely to children, and it is one of the most thoughtfully curated sections in the store.

The Creative Kids department is stocked with educational projects, hands-on kits, and activity sets designed to spark imagination rather than just keep little hands busy.

The products here are not your average craft store filler. They are chosen with care, reflecting the same philosophy that runs through the rest of the shop: quality matters, and creativity deserves to be taken seriously, even when the artist is seven years old.

Kids who visit this section tend to gravitate toward it immediately, drawn in by the colors, the packaging, and the promise of making something.

Parents appreciate it too, because the kits are genuinely educational without feeling like homework. Many of them introduce real artistic techniques in accessible, age-appropriate ways.

A child who spends an afternoon with a Japanese fish printing kit is not just having fun; they are learning about texture, composition, and a traditional art form from another culture.

I noticed a few gift sets that would make excellent birthday presents, the kind that actually get used rather than shoved in a closet. For families in Annapolis looking for creative, screen-free activities, this section of Art Things is a quiet goldmine.

It is proof that good art education does not have to wait for a classroom or a formal lesson to begin.

Paints, Papers, and Supplies That Professionals Actually Use

The supply selection at Art Things is serious. This is not a store that stocks one brand of acrylic paint and calls it a day.

The inventory spans a full range of materials for artists, designers, and architects, including graphic supplies, multiple paint mediums, quality canvases, a wide variety of brushes, and paper in many weights and textures. The breadth of it is genuinely impressive for a single-location independent shop.

Calligraphy supplies deserve a special mention because they are often overlooked by general craft stores.

Art Things carries them properly, with a selection of nibs, inks, and practice sheets that would satisfy both beginners learning their first strokes and experienced calligraphers working on detailed commissions.

Finding that kind of niche inventory in a local store feels like a small victory.

The paint selection reflects real knowledge of how artists work. There are options for different techniques, surfaces, and budgets, without the overwhelming, context-free abundance you sometimes find in larger retailers.

Having staff who can explain the difference between student-grade and professional-grade pigments makes the selection feel navigable rather than intimidating.

Paper might be the most underrated section of any art supply store, and Art Things handles it well. Different weights, textures, and surface treatments are represented, covering needs from sketching and printmaking to mixed media and fine watercolor work.

For working artists in the Annapolis area, having reliable access to quality materials without ordering online is a genuine convenience that should not be underestimated.

Books, Journals, Pens, and the Lovely Extras

Beyond the traditional art supplies, Art Things stocks a collection of how-to books, journals, pens, and greeting cards that make the store feel like a creative lifestyle shop as much as a supply depot.

These extras are not afterthoughts; they are curated with the same intentionality as everything else on the shelves.

Browsing this section feels a bit like flipping through a well-edited magazine.

The how-to books cover a wide range of techniques and styles, making them useful for self-directed learners who prefer to work at their own pace.

A good art instruction book can be transformative, especially when it is paired with the right supplies, both of which happen to be available in the same room.

That combination is rarer than it sounds and genuinely useful.

Journals here are the kind you actually want to use. Some are blank, some are lightly lined, and others have interesting paper textures designed for specific media like ink or watercolor.

There is something about a well-made journal that makes the act of creating feel more intentional, more like a practice worth returning to every day.

The greeting cards are a delightful bonus. Many feature original artwork and designs that you simply would not find in a grocery store card aisle.

They are the kind of cards people keep rather than recycle. For anyone looking for a small, meaningful gift, or just a beautiful way to communicate something to someone they care about, this section of the store delivers quietly and consistently.

Why Art Things Belongs on Your Annapolis Itinerary

Annapolis is known for its maritime history, its sailboats, its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, and its waterfront energy. Art Things adds a different dimension to the city’s character, one that is quieter but no less important.

Situated inside Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, the store sits at the intersection of commerce and community in a way that feels genuinely meaningful.

Maryland Hall itself is worth knowing about. It is a hub for arts education and performance in the region, housing studios, classrooms, and event spaces alongside the store.

Visiting Art Things naturally places you inside a building that is alive with creative activity, and that context shapes the experience in subtle but real ways. You are not just shopping; you are participating in something larger.

For visitors to Annapolis, the store offers a refreshing alternative to the more tourist-facing shops along the waterfront. It is local, specific, and deeply connected to the community it serves.

That authenticity is something travelers increasingly seek out, and it is genuinely present here.

The store was acquired by business partners Meg Brennan and Katie Grasso in October 2025, and their vision for Art Things is clearly one of growth, inclusion, and creative engagement.

From the planned senior art therapy classes to the afterschool programs already running, the direction is thoughtful and community-centered.

Whether you are a local resident or a visitor spending a weekend in Annapolis, Art Things deserves a spot on your list.

Address: 801 Chase St 108 – ground floor, Annapolis, MD.