Raw Materials Art Supplies: Pittsburgh's Creative Heartbeat

Raw Materials Art Supplies is the kind of independent art store that every city deserves but few possess—a thoughtfully curated, artist-owned shop that serves as both a professional supply source and a community gathering place for Pittsburgh's vibrant creative scene. Located in the heart of the Garfield neighborhood on Penn Avenue, the store has been a cornerstone of Pittsburgh's art community since 2009.

What makes Raw Materials special is the genuine care behind every aspect of the operation. The inventory is curated by practicing artists who stock only products they believe in. The staff provides knowledgeable, unhurried advice rooted in personal studio experience. The workshop program introduces customers to new techniques and media. And the store's gallery space showcases work by local artists, reinforcing its role as a community hub rather than merely a retail operation.

A Curated Inventory Built by Artists, for Artists

Unlike chain retailers that stock whatever their corporate buyers negotiate in bulk, Raw Materials maintains a carefully curated inventory selected by artists who understand which products genuinely serve creative practice. Every item on the shelves has been vetted for quality, reliability, and value—from professional-grade oil paints and watercolors by manufacturers like Gamblin, Winsor & Newton, and Daniel Smith to handmade papers sourced from specialty mills around the world.

The store carries a thoughtful selection of drawing materials—graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, and ink—alongside painting supplies for oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. Printmaking supplies, bookbinding materials, and calligraphy tools round out an inventory that serves the full spectrum of traditional art practices. The emphasis throughout is on professional quality rather than sheer volume—Raw Materials stocks fewer products than big-box retailers, but every product has earned its place through genuine usefulness and quality.

The handmade paper selection deserves special mention. Raw Materials carries an impressive range of specialty papers from domestic and international mills—Japanese washi, Indian cotton rag, European printmaking papers, and decorative papers that serve both fine art and book arts applications. This paper selection reflects the knowledge and passion of the store's artist-owners, who understand that paper choice is as important to many art forms as pigment selection is to painters.

Community-Centered Retail

Raw Materials regularly hosts workshops, demonstrations, and community events that bring artists together and introduce newcomers to creative practice. These programs range from beginner painting classes to advanced technique workshops led by established local artists. The store also partners with Pittsburgh's arts organizations, schools, and community centers to support art education throughout the region.

The workshop programming is designed to be accessible and non-intimidating, welcoming participants who have never held a paintbrush alongside experienced artists looking to explore new techniques. Classes cover watercolor painting, printmaking, bookbinding, calligraphy, mixed media collage, and seasonal specialty workshops that keep the programming fresh and engaging. Prices are kept reasonable, and materials are typically included—removing financial barriers that might prevent newcomers from trying creative activities.

The Gallery Space

Raw Materials dedicates a portion of its retail space to a rotating gallery that showcases work by Pittsburgh-area artists. These exhibitions provide emerging and established local artists with professional exhibition opportunities, while giving customers the experience of shopping for art supplies surrounded by inspiring finished artwork. The gallery program reinforces Raw Materials' identity as a cultural institution rather than merely a retail business—a place where art is celebrated, supported, and made accessible to the broader community.

The Garfield Neighborhood Context

Raw Materials' location in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood is significant. Garfield has experienced a remarkable creative renaissance over the past two decades, with artist studios, galleries, maker spaces, and creative businesses transforming what was once a struggling post-industrial neighborhood into one of Pittsburgh's most vibrant cultural districts. Raw Materials both benefits from and contributes to this transformation, serving as an anchor business that draws creative individuals into the neighborhood and provides essential resources for the artistic community that has taken root there.

The store's commitment to its neighborhood extends beyond commerce. Raw Materials participates in Unblurred, Garfield's monthly gallery crawl and art walk, and supports community development initiatives that maintain the neighborhood's character as a welcoming, affordable home for creative practice. This deep integration with the local community distinguishes Raw Materials from retailers that simply occupy space—the store is woven into the social and cultural fabric of its neighborhood.

Expert Staff and Personal Service

The staff at Raw Materials consists of practicing artists who bring personal experience with the products they sell. When a customer asks about the differences between cadmium and cadmium hue pigments, the best watercolor paper for wet-on-wet techniques, or which drawing pencils work best on toned paper, the staff can offer recommendations based on their own studio experience rather than reading from manufacturer descriptions. This personalized, knowledgeable service is the defining advantage of independent art stores over big-box alternatives where staff turnover is high and product knowledge is often minimal.

The Bottom Line

Raw Materials Art Supplies exemplifies the irreplaceable value of independent, artist-owned art supply stores. For Pittsburgh artists and visitors, it is an essential destination—a place where quality materials, expert knowledge, community connection, and genuine love for artistic practice come together in a welcoming, inspiring environment that no chain retailer can replicate.