Peterborough Art Academy

I love this art store and the art camp that it has every summer. My daughter has participated for two years now, and she thoroughly enjoys them. She loves the camaraderie with other students, and she likes Michaela and her helpers, James and Eleanor. They have a variety of projects for the children that really stretch their imagination, and their time outdoors by the river when they eat their lunch is a real treat.

The art store offers the most comprehensive variety of supplies I've ever seen for such a limited space, but it is not overwhelming like many arts and crafts supply stores. It's an artist's paradise!

Last Saturday I called at 4:50 PM and asked when the store was open until. The woman I spoke with said she was just closing up but asked how far away I was. I told her I could be there in 15 minutes, and she said kindly that she would stay and wait. When I got there she was helpful. I wouldn't have been able to make it any other time, and she really made the rest of my weekend. I have been in a few times and always had a positive experience. Also I liked the quality of the white oil paint I picked up there!

I have to say that yes some of the people in Peterborough are a bit snobby but that does not excuse you from letting your daughter touch things in a store and then all of you go into the Rug shop and act like bulls in a china shop. I'll have to agree with the shop owner on this one.
I taught my children at a young age NOT to touch items in any store unless it was allowed... and they are all artistic... What does your daughter having an artistic bent have to do with touching items in a store?
I'm baffled.

This place is a jewel!

Chocked full of art supplies. The owner, a talented artist herself, is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

Anyone that I have brought in there to visit, has come away with some unexpected treasure.

A very helpful, handy and reasonable little art shop with a beautiful view of the river rushing underneath!

I had a really confusing experience today! I’ve been coming to this store sometimes solo and sometimes with my now 5 year old for a couple years now. We have always had pleasant interactions & it was clear to me that the owner takes great care for her merchandise so I keep close to my little one and try to make sure we leave things as we have found them. We have dropped hundreds here (my kid loves using his allowance here!) and often pay cash because I care about supporting local businesses. We have always exchanged smiles and she has given my son
little gifts like paintbrushes etc when we come in.

Today I walked in and she snapped that he should not touch anything and followed us around the small store. I finally decided to leave when she shoved her hand over the loose colored pencils despite my hand already being present to ensure my kid only got one pencil from the display rack and reiterated he should not touch anything. I am truly confused about the issue with a 5 year old buying a pencil? I was already feeling the tension and putting things away before even considering buying them today because of the weird vibe but that really made it clear we were suddenly not welcome. I’m really hoping this is a misunderstanding but I am pretty embarrassed if she had issue with anything previously as she has never mentioned and I would gladly have paid for anything if he caused issues I had not known about! I know that small people take a lot of patience and that this shop is clearly HER baby but I was really disappointed to have this experience because I have always tried to remind my kid to be respectful of the space and return things how we found them doing so myself as necessary. I came to see the reviews out of confusion and it compelled me to add my experience. I can’t leave 1 star because I have had such great experiences up until today! Picture of part of my 5 year old’s last purchase earlier this month from his “fun fund” 😢

Owner is rude and inappropriate. I will never go back in there. Also, based on owner’s response you should know and pay attention to your surroundings and customers as I did not have any children nor do I have children. You are rude and I hope you can learn from your mistakes.

The inventory is decent and the location is good however this past weekend was our second experience going in with our two older children (8 & 11) where we were made to feel unwelcome. It was assumed they aren’t old enough to use materials and shouldn’t even look at certain items. In my opinion that should be our decision as they weren’t being disruptive in anyway. The customer service is very off putting and I wouldn't recommend this store to anyone.

Went in with my kids after a terrific meal at the Waterhouse Restaurant next door. My daughter is a mature 11 year old that picked up a paint brush and the snobby retailer sharply stated "don't touch those they are real artists brushes". Just so happens that my daughter has an artistic flair, and we probably would have purchased some art supplies. I also tried to engage the woman in the rug shop next door, and she rolled her eyes dismissive of me. Sorry we weren't good enough for either of your stores.

Lady who works here was rude and condescending. We were looking at the merchandise for about 10 minutes. She asked us to leave because she assumed we weren't going to buy anything. Little did she know we had intended to buy a few things. Her loss. I live nearby, so I will share my experience with the locals.