A new independent art supply store has opened in downtown Walnut Creek, bringing paints, papers, pens, brushes, sketchbooks and other artist-focused materials to a central spot just off Bonanza Street.
Diablo Valley Art Supply is now open at 1501 N. California Blvd. in Walnut Creek, according to the store’s website, which lists its current hours as Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is also running a 20% off soft-opening discount through May 1, 2026.
It’s right by the old Relax the Back store location.
What the Store Carries
The new shop appears to be aimed at serious hobbyists, students and working artists rather than just casual craft shoppers.
According to Diablo Valley Art Supply, brands currently stocked include Golden, Gamblin, Daniel Smith, Holbein, Michael Harding, ShinHan, Rembrandt, Winsor & Newton, Princeton, da Vinci, Arches, Hahnemuhle, Leuchtturm, Blackwing, Caran d’Ache and other fine art brands.
That list suggests a focus on painting, drawing, watercolor, oil and acrylic supplies, papers, notebooks, brushes and artist-grade materials.
A Downtown Walnut Creek Location
The store is located at 1501 N. California Blvd., near Bonanza Street, in the downtown core. Walnut Creek Downtown also now lists Diablo Valley Art Supply in its downtown shopping directory, placing it among the city’s growing mix of local shops, national retailers, restaurants and services.
The opening comes at a time when physical art supply stores are not always easy to find in the East Bay. FLAX art & design closed its Oakland store in March 2026 and consolidated operations into San Francisco, though the longtime art retailer noted that a custom display pen cubby from its Oakland store found a new home at the new Diablo Valley Art Supply. So there’s a bit of continuity there!
It also lands in a city with a visible arts scene. Bedford Gallery offers docent-led public art walking tours of Walnut Creek’s downtown public art collection every third Saturday from April through November, and the city’s Center for Community Arts offers drawing, painting and printmaking classes for adults and youth at its Shadelands location.
We’ll make sure to stop in and check it out! Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can share some photos when we do.
