By Naomi Morrow
Wanting to nourish your creative spirit, heart, and mind by creating original art in a frugal, economically friendly, and sustainable way? Are you overwhelmed and discouraged by the astronomically high prices of unaffordable art supplies?
It’s time to reimagine your creative possibilities by discovering local gems within the Denver metro area that are solely devoted to creativity, community, and stewardship of donated art and craft supplies for resale at deeply discounted prices. Let’s look at three options to help you create on a budget.
The Craft Box, located at 6191 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO, is a hidden thrifting paradise for artists and crafters alike. Here you can find various supplies for sewing, crocheting, knitting, rug hooking, beading, latch hooking, stamping, painting, felting, macrame, weaving, etc.
The Craft Box receives donated art and craft supplies from individuals, estates, and company close-outs on a weekly basis, so the inventory is always changing. The Craft Box promotes creativity by re-selling those community donations at affordable prices and donating items that don’t sell back to the community for reuse at various nonprofits and other community programs. According to their website, they “work to reduce waste by encouraging creativity through the sale of craft items and promote a crafting haven through classes and events.” For more information, visit https://craftboxcolorado.com/
Another hidden gem is ReCreative Denver, located at 765 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO. ReCreative Denver is a nonprofit organization that offers low-cost educational creative arts workshops taught by talented Denver artists, who teach classes in sewing, fabric/textile arts, painting, mixed collage and so much more!
Like The Craft Box, ReCreative Denver accepts donations of art supplies. Their website states that “ReCreative diverts materials that are destined for landfills by collecting and re-distributing them to people who can use it for education, art, and inspiration. Community members and local businesses can reduce waste and also help enrich education and the arts.” Keep in mind that donations are accepted by appointment only. For more information, visit https://www.recreativedenver.org/
Finally, Art Parts Creative Reuse Center, located at 3080 Valmont Rd, Suite #120, Boulder, CO, is another nonprofit arts organization that accepts donations and offers affordable recycled arts and craft materials. Art Parts reports that it helped support Boulder’s zero-waste goals last year by processing “over 80,000 pounds of arts and craft supplies, saving them from the landfill and getting these valuable products into the hands of over 24,000 community members.”
Art Parts gives back to the community by making creativity accessible through its everyday low prices. Plus, teachers and non-profits are eligible for discounts! For more information about Art Parts, visit https://www.artpartsboulder.org/
Whether you’re looking for a place to donate your art supplies or a place to pick up items you need for your next creative endeavor, consider these community-based organizations that support artists while giving back to the community. Let your creative spirit shine through, and discover new ways to access creative resources, affordable art supplies, and community connectedness! Hours of operation vary, so be sure to call ahead or check their websites.
About the author: Naomi is a local artist who is visually impaired and who is a passionate Licensed Social Worker, Disability Advocate, and Adaptive Expressive Arts Facilitator. She believes in the boundless possibilities and freedoms to create for all individuals.