Amanda Hamilton Interior Design

Kensington Art Supply started in a small shop in the mid-'70s and kept expanding. From the original 600-square-foot store in the heart of the trendy Kensington area, it has become the largest art supply store in Calgary. It now boasts 7,000 square feet of space and is located near the Deerfoot Meadows Mall.

The business caters to everyone, from the beginner right up to the professional. “People can come in and ask any question and not feel spoken down to,” says owner Annette Wichman. “We truly just want to help artists get the products that they need for their creativity.”

No longer do you have to go store-to-store looking for different tools and paints –it’s all in one location. That wide selection, along with a focus on customer service, is at the heart of Kensington Art Supply’s success. “The biggest satisfaction for me comes from helping people,” says Annette. “In that respect, I have the best job in the world because it doesn’t feel like a job. Every day is something different; there are different questions, different people come in. I get to help them out, help them find what they’re looking for, help them get creative.”