I had a really great experience here this afternoon when I needed some gouache paint. Ruth was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable and I thought the prices were very reasonable. Ill be returning here for sure!

Ive been a customer here for as long as Ive lived and decided to stay in Flagstaff. Ruth Ann is such a helpful and friendly soul and always seems to have everything I need. If I ever need anything she will be quick to reorder and let me know when something is back in stock. I buy out all her Faber Castell pens for my art pieces and she always has them in stock when I need them. Definitely recommend this place, especially since its the only local art shop in town

Ruth Anne is the sweetest most informative art store owner I’ve ever met! I’m new to painting and she nearly gave me a whole beginner’s lesson as she told me what necessities I might need and even brought out her color charts to help me with my blending. I will be back to show her what I’ve been working on! She is the BEST. Thank your Ruth Anne!

I stopped in to grab something in my way through Flagstaff, and the woman was very helpful. She even gave us some local recommendations as we are from out of town. Covid conscious establishment. 5 stars!

Super helpful. Informed. And straight-forward. She doesnt let you browse, but theres a pandemic going on. It made sense to me that theres a sign at the front asking customers to wait for assistance. She looked over multiple products and helped me choose the best one for the project. MUCH better than going to a big box store.

Ruth was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and helpful! Will definitely be back! - Poeroc

Extremely kind lady working there and huge amount of options for whatever you could possible need. I highly reccomend

I recently found out about this art store from a friend and have gone quite a few times since. They have a much wider and better selection of everything than Michaels does packed in a small store! I saw reviews saying the owner was rude but Ive had nothing but pleasent experiences with her. Shes super knowledgeable about the products she sells and shes really friendly, she even remembers my name everytime I go in, I think she just wants to talk to the customers and help them find exactly what they want since she carries multiple different brands of the same thing its nice to get someone with experienced opinion to help find the differences

I can usually find what I need here and the folks have always been amiable, friendly and helpful. Even if they might be out of something, employees and management have very nice

Great art supply store. Always helpful and has what Im looking for.

Ruth Ann is such a lovely woman to talk to. Shes always willing to help and greets with a smile. Ive gone in a few times to pick her brain on ways to approach projects in mind. Even if I end up leaving empty handed, its always been worth a trip to visit the store.

I was impressed with the extensive selection of high quality supplies this store has in stock. We were visiting from St. Louis and this store compares favorably to the art supply stores there, and obviously St. Louis is much larger than Flagstaff. The proprietor was friendly and welcoming. She didn’t hover while I browsed yet was available for questions.

Ruth Ann presents a wide variety of art supplies and services with friendly knowledge and a great smile.The classes I’ve attended in her tiny studio with Gretchen Lopez are excellent learning experiences. I return every summer.

Helpful kind staff and a great place to go for anything higher quality for art supplies

They had the exact pencils I needed to finish my latest drawing. Great art supplies and amazing customer service!!

Terrible service. She was following me throughout the store like I was going to steal something.

I love taking classes here! They always have what u need for all things art!!!

Great Framing of my custom print from Egypt. They took the time to find just the right colors that matched the art and my overall decor.Super Service!

Ive read all reviews. I truly dont understand WHY theres such a difference, but Ive only experienced the negative side. The woman who runs the store is beyond rude. She will not allow you to browse and look by yourself. I dont think it has anything to do with geography, customer service means the same in Flagstaff, Phx, or So Cal.....Ive lived in Flagstaff most if my life, but will NEVER shop in this store again, my experience was that offensive. Very uncomfortable. I suppose she stays open for those people she knows, and who receive the alternate treatment.

This store usually has the things you need, but once you walk in be prepared for the owner. Ive talked to others who have had good dealings with her and others that have not. From what i can tell is that if you look under 40 you will be met with some less than awesome customer service. If you need something that they do not have in stock, your best option would be to order it yourself. The owner does not place orders singuarly for customers also. If you absolutely need to buy locally then this is your best option, if you just need your things drive to the hobby lobby or make a trip to Phoenix. This place is really not worth your time or cash.

Great prices. Tons of stuff in stock. Very friendly and helpful! Forget Michaels, but here!

While she does have a wide selection, she’s incredibly rude. If you don’t know something, she talks down to you like an idiot. If you’re just browsing, she will constantly ask what you’re looking for specifically and follows you relentlessly. She will cut you off mid sentence. Absolutely unbelievable.

It was great to be in a real art store. Quality products that an artist needs.

I went to the shop to spend money, I was looking for several art supplies to get me through the summer. The woman who was in the store was very unhelpful, one of the items I needed was only available in a size larger than I needed, I asked her if she thought it could be cut to size and her exact words were How would I know? I asked her about another item and she waved her hand in a direction and said Over there somewhere, and went to help a customer who had just walked in. At that point I left the store; on my trip north I stopped in the art store in Durango, CO where the salesman spent over 30 minutes helping me choose what I needed, I spent well over $100, I guess Visible Difference would consider that amount not worth a little time and effort in customer service. Unlike the previous reviewer I am over 40 so I guess she at least does not discriminate according to age.

The first time Ive ever had an unpleasant experience in an art supply store. Bizarrely it seems like the owner doesnt want to let you look around the store - she just asked what I needed and brought it to me and I barely had time to notice it wasnt really what I was after before it was rung up (my fault, but I was sort of thrown off trying to figure out why I couldnt just go look at it myself). I mentioned I usually get a different version in Phoenix and she made some sarcastic remark about that (not being from here, I suppose this was some weird Arizona politics or something? I super dont care whatever it was about.). I bought the wrong thing anyway and I regret not canceling the sale on the spot. The whole thing was sort of baffling & very irritating, and I have no idea how this place stays in business if thats normal.

Exceptionally rude and unhelpful service form the woman who was working that day. Kept cutting me off mid-sentence and seemed annoyed that I didnt know the exact product I was looking for.

The owner is psycho, beware! No customer service at all, she followed me around the store like I was going to steal something.

Great store! The owner is extremely knowledgeable and helpful!

Great service and very helpful!

The woman there was incredibly rude to my daughter. The clerk misplaced her own merchandise & then accused my child of stealing it. Asked her to empty her pockets to discovery she, if course, didn’t have it. 😖

I have to disagree with the other post, I have been in this store quite a few times and came away very pleased. Yes any store in Flagstaff isnt going to have everything. This is not Phoenix or some place in Southern Cal.I purchased a rather expensive pencil once and a few months later had problems with it, I didnt have a receipt, I left with a new pencil!The help there seems to change quite a bit, seems like they use students from NAU, I am sure this is a benefit for both. I enjoy going in there, someone always has answers to my questions and are glad to help. Maybe people are just too picky at what they expect from a small business that is trying to help supply our community with a service and goods. I did notice they make or copy very large plans for construction people etc. If you have a need, stop in I think you will be glad you did, no I dont have any personal interest in the store. I don’t know the owners I just saw the opportunity to express my satisfaction with a local business that we need in this community.

I read the warnings about the owner before going in having forgotten waterproof ink for my Mont Blanc for field sketching. Indeed all is true: she is coarse and obnoxious and does not really know enough about all the product. Still, its all Flag has. I pushed back (I knew what I needed and persevered through the rudeness) and she lightened up but if you are a newbie artist dont bother. Shop online.

As a customer of 23 years, the negative reviews are astounding. Visible Difference carries materials not otherwise available in Flagstaff and the service is unfailingly helpful and pleasant.

Great love this store

The owner is so incredible rude and disrespectful. I will definitely be buying my drafting supplies elsewhere.

Owner is a racist.