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Don’t have a house yet but am thinking about things to take when we make the move. Any artists out there that can tell me if canvas & paints (acrilics & oils) are readily available?
Info. greatly appreciated.
Ruth
I don’t know where you are moving to in Costa Rica but there seem to be many artists stores where you should be able to find what you need.
There’s a special art store in the Paco Centro Comercial in Escazu, there are many stores in San Jose including ‘Universal’ which has a huge art department.
Having said that, you may have ‘special’ arto product requirements that I may be unfamiliar with and this is obviously very important to you so you may want to check this out before you choose a place to live.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comi’ve been thinking about the same thing…..i quilt and thought about how to receive or buy fabric in CR…..i don’t know if SCOTT would know about quilt shops, but i am hoping there are others who may help me….
I don’t know if any shops that specialize in “quilting” per se but when my mother was here she found everything she needed in San Jose – no problem.
In fact, we had a tough job dragging her out of the stores because she wanted to “take a few wee things back to Scotland” with her and she thought the prices were incredibly cheap.
On Avenida Central in SJO, on the same side of the street as Lehmans is a great fabric and haberdashery type store.
The thing to remember is that the Ticos LOVE to adjust and make their own stuff so these kinds of products should be very easily available and cheap.
A fashion conscious Tica will never wear jeans that she bought from the store, she’ll buy them and then ‘adjust’ them so that they are just right.
My ex-wife (NY fashion designer) may not like this but a good looking Tica in a nice pair of jean and a simple white t-shirt looks just fantastic to me…
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comThanks Scott,
We are moving to Arenal area but realize that shopping trips to San Jose will be an ocassional requirement. I don’t need anything special, as long as I can get canvas and paints, the paintable scenery is everywhere so I’m good to go! Might ship what I allready have and plan to add what I need to there. Thanks!
Ruth
i know i can find fabric online….but why is the cost of shipping into CR so expensive? …do they want u to spend $ in country instead of sending $ out…that makes sense …but …
The simple answer – because it is. Shipping packages anywhere from the US is expensive. A few years ago, a small package to Japan cost us nearly $100.
As for fabric, probably the best route, if you buy it online, is to have it sent to a friend or relative to bring the next time they visit you in CR. Mail and delivery services in CR are not terribly reliable. It’s best to get a Miami address through , have things shipped there, and then for ARCR warded to a pick up point. See the ARCR website for further infoHi,
you might contact the “Quilt Guild of Costa Rica”, they meet the first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 P.M. , Catholic Church, San Pedro, Montes de Oca, Tel. 225-9534.
I’m still living in Florida, but also will be moving within 2 years to C.R.. I saw the information about the Guild in the TICO TIMES,Clubs and Organizations. They might be able to give you more information.
Are there more Quilter’s in the DF?
DeborahHere’s a list of Art Supply stores that I’ve compiled:
ART / ARTIST SUPPLIES
ART DEPOT
Escazu (San Rafael) ON Calle Vieja – Coming soon to the new ultra modern space – Centro Comercial Obelisco
Escazu (San Rafael) ON Calle Vieja – Paco Plaza – 2nd floor (289-7249 / Ana – ana@artdepotcr.com ). They many thing for arts & crafts. They offer information on art classes also. Tends to be more expensive.CENTRO DE ARTE CREATIVE ART SCHOOL & SUPPLIES +
ESCAZU – Trejos Montealegre – Across the street from Hotel Maria Alexandra (228-7541 / centrocreative@yahoo.com ) – The Center sell and distributes art materials and as well as materials for decoration, restoration and finishes. They also have framing, drawing, antiquing and painting classes for children and adults, We will have summer classes in January for children with classes such as candle and soap making, glass painting, etc.EPA – Hardware store has some artist supply things in the Paint Department – They have a VERY LARGE selection of artist tools in Eisle 5 – “Americana Paint” artist paints in small bottles (795 colon) & stencils, glaze, crackle paints (gray, gold, black/gold, pink, beige – from 5,495-5,975), Paper Perfect (to make custom paper), spray paints (including heat sensative ones) & brushes.
Escazu – NEW!! (On the North side of Autopista Prospero Fernandez– the exit JUST past the main Escazu exit. 588-1122) – ENGLISH SPEAKERS: Carlos (“Blanco” [he is light skinned &has red hair] & Carlos 2 in the paint department area). Say “Hola” from Vallarta Vicki”).
Curridabat (on the east side of the city – right beside the Indoor Club & before the Ford & BMW 224-4110)
HOURS: 7am-9pm – EVERY DAY YEAR ROUND (even Xmas!!)GRUPO GUILA – A REAL artist supply store with canvases, things for sculpture, books & LOTS MORE!!
Cartago – 150 al sur del Banco de Crédito Agrícola San José (551-1010)
Desamparados – Del Rest El Nopal 100 este diagonal al Centro Médico Familiar (218-1010)
Escazu (San Rafael) ON Calle Vieja – carretera a Santa Ana – Centro Comercial Guachipelin. Across the street from Paco Plaza – 2 doors east of Fischel (228-9957). HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 9am-1pm.
Heredia – Hispanica – De la entrada de la U.N.A. – 50 mts. al oeste (238-2338)
Moravia – Corporate Office – 200 mtrs. Sur/south del Colegio Saint Francis – frente al cementerio (236-1010 / guilaccr@racsa.co.cr)
San Jose – Sabana – 150 al este del Gimnasio Nacional (221-1010)
San Pedro – Del antiguo Banco Anglo, 150 norte (224-1010)
Quainta Ave. – 150 norte del Automercado (255-0101)
HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8:30am-noonJIMENEZ Y TANZI (www.JITan.co.cr / 216-1000) – They’re an Office Supply store that carries some artist supplies. I’ve talked to 2 artists that go here (including one that works at EPA).
Alajuela (443-1303 / 440-6286 / jftiendaal@jitan.co.cr / Primera Planta – Dentro de la Tienda Llobet)
Desamparados (218-1926 ó (506) 218-0457 / jftiendade@jitan.co.cr / De la Cruz Roja -150 mts al sur)
Escazu (San Rafael) ON Calle Vieja – at the intersection going to Country Club in Centro Comerical Country Plaza (also home to Beauty Club & in front of Villas Del Rio condos) (288-2538 / 288-2536 / jftiendaes@jitan.co.cr ) – I hear that they have some of the BEST PRICES!!
Grecia (494-4141 / jftiendagr@jitan.co.cr / Costado Oeste del Parque)
Guadalupe (216-1000 / jftiendaip@jitan.co.cr – 2.2 km al este de cruce a Coronado, Carretera a Rancho Redondo)
Pavas (296-4790 / 296-4809 / jftiendapa@jitan.co.cr / Condominio Industrial de Pavas – Local 22 – De la Sylvania 800 mts oeste)
San Jose–Calle Blancos (233-3232 / Centro Comercial Cinco Esquinas – Durman Esquivel 800 metros oeste / jftiendacb@jitan.co.cr )
San Jose-Barrio California (223-5085 / jftiendalc@jitan.co.cr / Contiguo al Cine Magaly)
San Jose (233-8033 / jftiendasj@jitan.co.cr / De Radiográfica Costarricense 25 mts norte
San Jose-San Pedro (253-2027 / 253-4754 / Centro Comercial La Lomita – De Muñoz & Nane 100 mts este / jftiendasp@jitan.co.crUNIVERSAL Office Supply Store – SouthEast corner of La Sabana across from McDonalds. Surprisingly a GOOD SELECTION!!
San Jose – Sabana 296-1010 (across from McDonalds)
San Jose – Avenida Central 222-2222
Zapote – 234-8070
Perez Zeledon – 772-6770
Liberia – 665-1212HEREDIA – There’s an art supply store across from the University
PLAZA DE ARTESANIAS – La Triunfadora
SANTA ANA – Apdo. 437-6150 (282-7038) – They have quite a few FENG SHUI treatments for REALLY cheap upstairs, along with candles, candelobras, ceramic pots, oils for candles & massages & artist paints REAL cheap! OWNERS: Emilce & Nelly Sibaja (a couple people speak some English). HOURS: Daily 8:30am-6pm –Escazu (San Rafael) – I hear there’s a new art supply store about 500 mts on the road from the Escazu exit rotonda going towards the Blue Valley School but they’re hard to find open.
SAN JOSE – San Pedro – There’s an Office Supply Store in front of Muñoz y Nanne (M&N) Hardware store – 450 meters Oeste/East/up the hill from the Mas X Menos that has many crafts things.
Wow!
Muchisimas gracias VallartaVicki. We know who to ask about ‘art in Costa Rica.’
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comDenise, I just spent a lovely week at Villa Rita in La Garita. Rita has cottages to rent there, but she also has quilting classes. She goes to shows in the U.S. and CR with a group of woman. I am quite sure she would be able to give you good information. She is an Amercan who has lived in CR for 28 years. She is very nice, friendly and helpful. Her ph# is 487-75-66. You can tell her Peg Raphial told you, I hope this helps.
Many folks that move to CR do so in stages or visit home quite often. Every trip down they bring something with them. When you live there you don’t need to haul a lot of cloths so you fill your luggage with goods you find easier in the US.
One reason for the high cost of some goods in CR is the import duties. Travelers are allowed a significant exemption so almost anything you bring from home is “duty free”. See the note above about having visiting friends bring things. Each year I have visited friends in CR we have hauled quite a load, books one year, gas forge parts on another and humming bird feeders on another.
The cost of travel is a bit much to make a dedicated shopping trip worthwhile but if mixed with other purposes such as visiting family then you can buy the brands you like and bring them back to CR safely and legally duty free in your luggage.
As noted above I do not think you will have trouble purchasing art supplies in CR. There are many artists in CR and the tourist trade demands paintings to decorate hotel lobbies and rooms as well as many other places. But I do remember back when I was an artist having preferences in brands of paint and brushes.
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