This Nevada Art Supply Store Has Kept Crafters Coming Back Since 1957
Some shops sell supplies, and this one has kept makers stocked since 1957.
Three generations of the same family have run the counter. How many businesses can say that?
The store began under a different name before moving to a busy boulevard. Its family motto promises to keep art alive.
The shelves go far beyond paint and paper. Think carving tools, clay, airbrushes, and sign painting gear.
Need gold leaf or handmade paper? The staff seems to love a hard-to-find request.
Custom framing and vinyl signs round out the services. I love that a shop can stay this devoted to makers for decades.
Nevada has plenty of big chain stores. Few can match this kind of staying power.
So which Nevada store earned this reputation, and what waits inside?
A Family Name Behind the Counter Since 1957
Desert Art Supplies opened in 1957, and the story starts with one man. Jack Walkenshaw founded the business, and it is still family-owned today.
His son Del Walkenshaw later ran it, and his grandson James Walkenshaw has carried it forward.
That is three generations of one family keeping an art store going in Nevada. Few shops can say the same.
Most stores change owners many times over that many decades.
The business also has a motto that explains a lot. It says it is dedicated to Keeping Art Alive.
That is a big promise for a shop, and it fits a store that has served students, professionals, and weekend hobby artists for so long.
Think about how much art has been made with supplies from one counter. School projects, signs, paintings, and crafts all start somewhere.
For this family, that somewhere has been the same business since the late 1950s.
It is a neat reminder that a small shop can last when it knows its customers. Family ownership means the people behind the counter care about the name on the door.
That kind of continuity is rare, and it shows.
From North Main Street to Charleston Boulevard
Here’s a fun twist. The shop did not start under its current name.
It opened as Desert Décor on North Main Street.
Later, the business moved to East Charleston Boulevard.
That is when the store became Desert Art Supplies, and the 1957 date is the one the shop celebrates. It has stayed rooted in that area ever since.
Las Vegas has changed a great deal since then. The city has grown, neighborhoods have shifted, and many old businesses have disappeared.
Yet this art store keeps its doors open in the same part of town.
That staying power earns it a special title. It is known as the oldest continuously operating independent art supply store in Las Vegas.
Independent is the key word, because no big chain owns it.
If you like a little local history with your shopping, this is a great stop. You can buy a fresh set of brushes from a business that has outlasted decades of change.
Not many stores in Nevada can offer that kind of story.
Brushes, Paints, and Paper by the Armful
Start with the basics, because the basics here are deep. Desert Art Supplies carries artist brushes and a range of paints, including acrylics, oils, and watercolors.
Paper supplies fill out the core of the store.
Need something more specific? The shop also stocks pencils, pastels, pens, and markers.
Poster boards and mat boards are on the list too. Ready-made frames and specialty papers round things out.
The store serves students, professionals, and hobby artists. That means a teenager with a class assignment and a working painter can both find what they need.
Nobody has to feel out of place.
A well-stocked basics aisle saves a lot of running around. You can grab paint, brushes, and a surface to paint on in one trip.
That is handy when inspiration hits on a Tuesday afternoon.
I like that the store keeps the everyday tools front and center. Fancy gear is fun, but most projects begin with a good brush and a fresh sheet of paper.
This shop has you covered on both.
Carving, Clay, and Sign Painting Gear
Some art stores stick to paint and paper. This one goes further.
Its shelves include carving tools for wood and stone, plus clay supplies for sculptors.
Sign painting supplies are on the list as well. That is a craft many shops skip.
Lettering brushes and sign gear are a nice nod to the working artists in Las Vegas.
Airbrushes and their accessories also have a place here. The store even offers airbrush and compressor repair, along with airbrush cleaning.
So the help does not stop once you walk out with a purchase.
This range matters for makers who work in three dimensions. A sculptor and a painter have very different needs.
A store that serves both gives creative people more reasons to stay local.
It also invites experiments. Maybe you came in for clay and leave curious about carving.
Having tools for many crafts under one roof makes trying something new feel easy.
For anyone who loves to build, shape, or letter by hand, this section of the store is a real treat.
Hard-to-Find Items Are the Specialty
Ever searched three stores for one odd item? This shop wants to end that hunt.
It is known for helping customers locate hard-to-find supplies.
The store also offers special ordering. If something is not on the shelf, the staff can work to get it for you.
That service is a big help for projects with unusual needs.
Customers on Google have pointed to analog drafting supplies, book binding materials, and handmade papers. Others have mentioned jewelry supplies and gold leaf.
Those are not items every store keeps on hand.
This focus on rare finds sets an independent shop apart. Big chains tend to stock what sells fast.
A family store can care more about what artists actually ask for.
Here’s a tip. If you have a long or unusual shopping list, bring it along.
Handing it to someone who knows the stock can save you plenty of time.
Hard-to-find does not have to mean impossible to find. At Desert Art Supplies, it just means you asked the right store.
Custom Framing That Finishes the Job
Finished a painting? Now it needs a frame.
Desert Art Supplies offers custom picture framing, so the next step is right there.
The store also provides conservation framing. That method is aimed at protecting artwork over the long term.
It is a smart choice for pieces you want to keep safe.
Computerized mat cutting is another service. Clean mat edges can make a print or drawing look polished.
Ready-made frames are available too, for quick and simple needs.
Framing is one of the things people on Google mention most about the store. Guests describe the work as exceptional.
That fits a shop that has been serving artists for so many years.
It is handy to buy supplies and get framing in one place. You can pick up your paper, make your art, and bring it back to be displayed.
That is a full creative loop under one roof.
If you have a drawing from a child or a print from a trip, consider giving it the frame it deserves.
Signs, Prints, and Sublimation Services
Art supplies are only part of the story. The store also makes things for you.
Custom vinyl signage is one of its services.
Digital printing and sublimation are on the menu too. Sublimation is a way to transfer designs onto certain materials.
It opens the door to personalized items beyond paper and canvas.
These services help small business owners as much as artists. A sign for a shop window or booth needs skilled hands.
A store that already knows lettering and sign painting is a natural fit.
It also helps crafters who sell their work. You can buy supplies, make a product, and get printing or signage in the same trip.
That keeps projects moving.
The store describes itself as Southern Nevada’s most complete art store. These services help explain the claim.
Selling materials is one thing, and producing finished work is another.
If your idea needs more than a brush, ask what the shop can do. You might leave with a plan and not just a bag of supplies.
Staff Who Know Their Stuff
Ask almost anyone about this store and the staff come up first. Google lists helpful staff as the top popular topic, with 79 mentions.
That is far ahead of any product.
The store holds a 4.7-star rating from 335 reviews. Many comments describe friendly, knowledgeable workers.
One customer shared that a staff member noticed the wrong type of ink and swapped it out.
That kind of attention is what you hope for from an independent shop. Good advice can save money and frustration.
It can also teach you something new about your materials.
The store has a mix of opinions too, as any busy shop does. Some customers have noted that the front door is kept locked.
Staff can let you in, so it is worth knowing before you go.
Prices at an independent store can run higher than at big chains. For many shoppers, the expert help and quality brands make up for it.
Go in with questions. Knowledgeable people behind the counter are one of the best tools in any art store.
Finding the Shop in the Arts District
The store sits at 2003 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104. It is part of the 18b Las Vegas Arts District.
That makes it a good fit for a day of creative wandering.
Hours are simple to remember. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
The shop is closed on Sunday, so plan around that.
Since the doors close at 4 PM, an afternoon trip needs some planning. Mornings are a safe bet.
Arriving early gives you time to browse before the day gets away from you.
Remember the locked door too. Staff keep it secured, so just wait for a moment and they will welcome you in.
It is a small step for a big selection.
Other art stops are nearby in the district, so you can build a full outing. Pick up supplies first, then look around the neighborhood for inspiration.
For artists in Nevada, a store that has served the area since 1957 is worth the visit. Bring a list, bring curiosity, and leave with something to make.