UpCycle Creative Reuse Center

Overview

The UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is a nonprofit organization located in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to promoting creativity and conservation by collecting, reusing, and redistributing materials for arts, crafts, and learning purposes. The center provides a community resource where individuals can acquire affordable art, craft, and office supplies while supporting environmental sustainability.

History

Inspired by the ReMida center in Reggio Emilia, Italy, UpCycle was founded by Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek. It began operations in June 2013 in the Del Ray neighborhood and later moved to different locations, with its current location being at Building Momentum. The organization's non-profit status has been effective since November 2011[1].

Mission and Values

UpCycle's mission is to inspire creativity and community engagement through art-making experiences using reused materials. It values originality, inclusivity, and community connections, fostering experiences that promote creative expression, resourcefulness, and experiential learning. The organization is committed to actively combating racism through its community programs[1].

Programs and Services

Material Collection and Sales

UpCycle collects a wide range of donated materials, including fabrics, papers, office supplies, artist supplies, and discarding items that can be repurposed as art materials[1][5]. These items are sold at affordable prices, allowing community members to access resources for creative projects. The inventory changes frequently, reflecting the diversity of donations received[3].

Educational Initiatives

The center offers classes, workshops, and summer camps designed to promote learning through creative reuse. These programs cater to people of all ages, focusing on hands-on skills like engineering, building, and crafting using upcycled materials[2][3]. The summer camps specifically target children, providing them with creative and educational experiences[3].

Community Engagement

UpCycle facilitates community activities such as the Maker Break Open Studio, where participants can work on personal projects or engage with pre-designed crafts. This initiative fosters a sense of community among crafters, promoting creativity and relaxation[3].

Funding and Support

UpCycle relies on donations and community support to continue its operations. It participates in fundraising events like Spring2ACTion, aiming to raise funds to maintain access to creative resources and expand educational programs[3].

References

There are no references listed here as per your request for Wikipedia-style article formatting without including specific contact information or sources in the text. However, the information provided is derived from publicly available details about the UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.