A local artist’s guide
If you’re based in Rondebosch or the Southern Suburbs and looking for a good art supply store, you’ll quickly realise there are a few options around Cape Town. But as many artists know, it’s not just about finding the closest shop. It’s about finding the right shop.
For students, hobbyists, teachers and professional artists alike, choosing the right place to buy your materials can shape your whole creative experience. Where you buy your art supplies affects not only the quality of your work, but also how supported and confident you feel while creating.
Here’s what to look for when choosing an art store near Rondebosch, and why many artists are happy to travel a short distance for the right support.
What makes a good art supply store?
Before thinking about distance, it helps to know what really matters:
Knowledgeable staff
You want people who actually understand mediums, techniques and materials, not just barcodes and prices.
Consistent stock
There’s nothing worse than building a process around certain products and then never finding them again.
Real advice
An honest store will tell you if something isn’t right for your project, even if it means spending less. Most of our staff are artists themselves and use the very products we sell in their own work. Some of our team members have been with The Deckle Edge for over 20 years, which means you’re tapping into decades of real, hands-on experience every time you ask for advice.
Extra services
Paper cut to size, pre-ordered school kits, custom canvases, workshop support – these things save artists time and stress.
Space to browse
Crowded shops make it hard to think creatively. Space matters.
A reliable online store with fast, affordable delivery
Not everyone can pop into a store, and that’s where a good online shop makes all the difference. We offer an easy-to-use website with quick, affordable delivery across Cape Town and nationwide, with free delivery on orders over R1000. Whether you’re short on time, don’t feel like driving, or live further away, you can still access quality art materials without hassle.
Community
The best art stores are part of the creative ecosystem, not just retail spaces. We’re actively involved with local Art Societies and our CSI focuses on supporting the youth of HopeTown. Giving back through creativity is important to us, and we’re proud to be part of initiatives that use art to uplift and empower young people.
Why many artists don’t just shop at the closest store
Rondebosch has great creative energy, especially with UCT nearby, but many artists choose a store based on service, range and expertise, not just distance.
They’re looking for:
- more variety to choose from
- better stocked shelves
- proper technical advice
- workshops and demos
- help with school and tertiary kits
- staff who remember what they’re working on
For committed makers, those things matter more than saving a few minutes.
The Deckle Edge Art Store
The Deckle Edge is based in Salt River and is less than 5 kilometres from Rondebosch, making us one of the closest large art supply stores to the area.
We’re proud to be the largest art and stationery store in Cape Town, which means more space, more variety and more stock than most smaller stores. You can browse properly, compare options and find what you need in one place.
In 2025, we were awarded the KFM Bronze Medal for Best Neighbourhood Shop in Cape Town. This recognition means a lot to us because it comes from real customers. While there isn’t yet a dedicated art and stationery category, we competed against neighbourhood shops across the city, including many in the food and retail space, making this a massive achievement for any independent local family-owned business in Cape Town.
What makes us different:
- A huge, carefully curated range of art and stationery supplies
- Better stock levels so you’re less likely to hear “sorry, we’re out”
- Staff who actually use the products we sell
- Expert help across watercolour, oil, acrylic, printmaking, drawing, sculpture and craft
- Paper cut to size while you wait
- School and tertiary kit support
- Regular workshops with local artists
- A strong focus on community and education
Our loyalty and member benefits
We genuinely value our regular customers and have a loyalty programme in place to say thank you for choosing us again and again.
Deckle Makers (our loyalty community)
Our regular customers enjoy early access to sales, small surprise perks throughout the year and earn back R1 for every R30 spent in-store.
Student discounts
We offer student discounts on selected ranges, making it easier for art students to access quality materials without breaking the bank.
Art Society member discounts
Members of recognised Art Societies qualify for a special in-store discount as part of our ongoing support for the local art community.
These aren’t gimmicks. They’re part of how we look after the people who support us.
Who The Deckle Edge is best for
We work with:
- UCT, art school, fashion design, architecture, animation students
- Teachers and schools
- Hobby artists finding their style
- Professional artists who need reliability
- Printmakers, illustrators and mixed media creatives
If you value advice, choice and consistency, you’ll feel at home here.
Getting to us from Rondebosch
We’re under 5km from Rondebosch and only a short drive away.
Easy routes:
- via Main Road
- via the M5
- quick access from Observatory and Salt River
Get directions to The Deckle Edge Here
Parking
We offer free underground parking for your first hour in the building, so you can browse properly without rushing or worrying about parking meters.
Many of our regular customers come from Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg, Bishopscourt, Constantia and Observatory – once they find us, they stick with us.
Choosing an art supply store isn’t just about convenience. It’s about finding a place where you’re supported, understood and actually have options to choose from.
If you’re near Rondebosch and want expert advice, a massive range, proper space to browse, easy parking and real member benefits, we’d love to welcome you to The Deckle Edge Art Store in Salt River.
Pop in, ask questions, bring your project – that’s what we’re here for.
Want more art and craft tips, new product drops, and workshop updates from Deckle Edge? Join our Deckle Makers Community here: Subscribe Now.