But Is It Art?

But Is It Art? Independent retailer in Reading town centre

06/01/2025

Freeze the picture 🥹

Yes. It always was.
05/01/2025

Yes. It always was.

Tomorrow marks our final day. Whether you come in store to peruse or just to say goodbye - we’d love to see you. One las...
03/01/2025

Tomorrow marks our final day. Whether you come in store to peruse or just to say goodbye - we’d love to see you.

One last dance… x

History in the making—and it comes with a bloody nice bag! Our wildly popular But Is It Art? tote bags are flying off th...
31/12/2024

History in the making—and it comes with a bloody nice bag! Our wildly popular But Is It Art? tote bags are flying off the shelves.

Don’t miss your chance to grab this tribute to our long standing shop. Available now in-store—get yours before they’re gone!

Yep. You heard us right. See you soon.👋
29/12/2024

Yep. You heard us right.
See you soon.

👋

Some of the band getting back together 💋
24/12/2024

Some of the band getting back together 💋

Little piece of advice: probably wouldn’t make this their MAIN present… 🎁
24/12/2024

Little piece of advice: probably wouldn’t make this their MAIN present… 🎁

Ish.
21/12/2024

Ish.

🚨 IMPORTANT CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨If you wander into the shop and see our staff in floods of tears or doubled over in l...
19/12/2024

🚨 IMPORTANT CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

If you wander into the shop and see our staff in floods of tears or doubled over in laughter, DO NOT BE ALARMED. It’s just the photo albums coming out, and we’re getting all nostalgic.

Turns out, 50+ years of quirky memories, questionable hairstyles, and some seriously dodgy outfit choices are enough to make anyone emotional. Feel free to join in—or awkwardly tiptoe past us to the Jellycats. We understand. 🐾

P.S. Tissue donations now being accepted. 🥹

Happy birthday Steph 🎂 Cleaning the glass displays 1981 Butts Centre 😍
19/12/2024

Happy birthday Steph 🎂
Cleaning the glass displays 1981 Butts Centre 😍

Whether it’s early planning valentines or a heartfelt Christmas - we’ve got you covered.
18/12/2024

Whether it’s early planning valentines or a heartfelt Christmas - we’ve got you covered.

Hugg McSnugg & his BFF's. Love is in the air at But Is It Art? 💕
11/12/2024

Hugg McSnugg & his BFF's.

Love is in the air at But Is It Art? 💕

They’re here and they’re perfect. 🥹
10/12/2024

They’re here and they’re perfect. 🥹

Sssunday Ssservice.
08/12/2024

Sssunday Ssservice.

S’up.
07/12/2024

S’up.

They don't write 'em like they use to...Happy Saturday team.
07/12/2024

They don't write 'em like they use to...

Happy Saturday team.

Please keep an eye out for these two. Likely destination: . Getting hammered debating existentialism and whether ‘GIF’ i...
05/12/2024

Please keep an eye out for these two.

Likely destination: . Getting hammered debating existentialism and whether ‘GIF’ is a hard or soft ‘G.’

Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie,Rub your beard all over my body...
05/12/2024

Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie,
Rub your beard all over my body...

Address

7-9 Queen Victoria Street
Reading
RG11SY

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 6:30pm
Thursday 10am - 6:30pm
Friday 10am - 6:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441189581088

Website

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Videos

Freeze the picture 🥹

Have the best of ones 💙💖

@butisit_artreading 🤝 @eastendprints

Thanks to BBC Berkshire who had our very own Steve on the wireless this morning. 📻

The candles you never knew you needed… 🕯️

Rooted in Reading since 1973, we're proud to be more than just a shop—'But Is It Art?' has become part of the town's creative heritage.

Join us at The Biscuit Factory until 6pm this evening for an incredible event hosted by @certainsound_records! We’d love to see you there! ✨ #rdg

DISCO TIME 🪩🌿🪩🌿 #discoballs #plantpots #independentgiftshop #rdguk #shoplocal #savethehighstreet

GLUGGLE JUGS IN MANY COLOURS N SIZES FOR ALL YOUR GLUGGLING NEEDS 🐟🐠💦🐠🐟 #glugglejug #independentgiftshop #rdguk #shoplocal #savethehighstreet

THE BEST PLACE IN READING FOR JELLYCAT 💯🥐 #jellycat #independentgiftshop #rdguk #shoplocal #savethehighstreet

ICONIC TEA TOWELS MAKE 4 TOTALLY PERFECTO CHRISTMAS PRESENTS 👌 and hopefully the snazzy video effect hides the terrible camera work… #snazzy #teatowels #morrisey #thecure #thestoneroses #oasis #freddiemercury #arcticmonkeys #acdc #thethickofit #thewho #harrystyles #radiohead

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Our Story

“But Is It Art? offers you the opportunity to laugh hysterically in a public place.”

Since opening in 1973 we’ve been daring to be different, bringing our customers everything from the inappropriate to the design led.

We work hard to give everyday products a fun, fresh twist with imagination and wit.

Our diverse collection of cards, gifts homeware, jewellery and art are lovingly curated and constantly updated to inspire and entertain.