ECO-ARTS EXCHANGE: An array of new and gently used art materials — from paints and brushes to paper, fabric, tools, and more — will be for sale on a “pay as you wish” basis at West Windsor Arts on Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West Windsor Arts is hosting a unique thrift-style art supply sale on August 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring new and gently used art materials. The sale — called Eco-Art Exchange: Thrift, Create, Repeat! — encourages sustainability, nurtures creativity, and boosts community. It’s also just a lot of fun to see what you might find.
“This sale really aligns with the mission of West Windsor Arts — that art is for everyone,” said Raina Pahade, who is organizing the event for the arts center. “Art supplies can be very expensive, especially high-quality, durable ones. This makes it hard for many people to pursue their artistic interests. Cost can be a big barrier to making art.”
West Windsor Arts is inviting artists, students, educators and anyone interested in creating art to stop by the arts center and browse an array of materials — from paints and brushes to paper, fabric, tools and more. Items are not priced.
“You pay what you wish,” said Pahade. “What I love most about this event is that it encourages sustainability as well as inclusivity. We’ll have a scale there, so people can see not only how much money they’re saving, but also how many pounds of materials they’ve diverted from the landfill. That was something we did last year, when we hosted the event with a partner organization, Propagate Studio in Stewartsville. It was such a hit last year, as well as the ‘pay-as you wish’ option, that we brought them back.”
The arts center is seeking donations of new or gently used items for the sale. Donations will be accepted on Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at West Windsor Arts. Donors are asked to bring clean, usable supplies in categories including paints (oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolor), drawing tools, calligraphy inks, brushes, sketchbooks, easels, and craft materials — while excluding broken, heavily used, toxic, or damaged items.
“This is an opportunity to keep art materials out of the landfill and in the studios of local artists while also supporting the arts and education programs at West Windsor Arts,” said Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts.
“You may come across a new product or material you hadn’t thought of using, and it sparks something within you,” said Pahade. “Most importantly, it makes otherwise expensive materials affordable to all. Everyone deserves the ability to create.”
West Windsor Arts is at 952 Alexander Road in West Windsor Township. For more information, or to view a list of suggested items to donate, visit westwindsorarts.org/event/ecoarts-exchange.