Art Supply Stores Stocked by Local Businesses
Every day businesses throw away items that can be used by teachers, artists, crafters, home-schoolers and others. Why not set up a store where these items can be sold, inexpensively, to those who can use them? Goods can be dropped off, picked up on a regular basis or just a one-time pickup. Locals cleaning out their homes, garages and attics can contribute , also, with items like old photos, photo slides, fabric pieces, art supplies, crayons, etc. Items they would have thrown away. When there is a large amount of a particular piece, it can go in the 'bulk' section. This would be the area of the store where patrons buy a bag (S,M,L) and just fill it up with what they want. Other items may be sold on an individual basis. The store can also offer workshops showing ways to use the available materials. This is not an original idea, as there are a few stores around like this, such as SCRAPS in San Fran and Creation Station in Seattle. But they are few and far between. Why? There is no reason every city could not have an outlet like this. It would reduce garbage in the landfill, give cash-strapped artists and teachers (and here, in B.C. anyway, teachers have almost NO money for art supplies) an inexpensive source for materials and part of the profits could go to a charity. I'm partial to the SPCA, but that's just my preference. If there were available funds, I can see a bus being renovated to accommodate some of these materials and then being driven to different schools. The bus could contribute to the art program and educate the kids on reducing and reusing. I could go on and on as I have tons of ideas for workshops, items that can get collected and used and ways this idea can contribute to the community and help the planet, but I'll stop here. Hope you like my idea! The accompanying ATC (Artist Trading Card) by Maxine Finch is made from: - Used admittance ticket - Page from outdated dictionary - Piece of an old map - Picture from old book - 'Discover' and the base of the piece are on leftover matte board.