Richmond Stuff urges creative reuse

The folks at Stuff Inc. are working to keep RVA a creative, environmentally responsible city. Since July of 2008, the all volunteer-run organization has provided the community with a variety of art education workshops.

April 1, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Marge Weimer

The folks at Stuff Inc. are working to keep RVA a creative, environmentally responsible city. Since July of 2008, the all volunteer-run organization has provided the community with a variety of art education workshops.

Sarah Branigan, Stuff program director, said the non-profit also strives to provide creative reuse materials to help eliminate waste generated by project leftovers. The eventual goal, according to Branigan, is to have a warehouse or retail space where donations of materials that can be used in a creative way will be accepted and housed.

“It will be a program space as well as a retail space for people to come and pick out all sorts of interesting materials for projects they have,” Branigan said. “Artists, students, teachers – anyone who has a project in mind that doesn’t want to go out and buy new materials can come in and find all sorts of goodies.”

According to their website, “As the idea turned into a reality, the Stuff founders and committed volunteers worked vigorously over the summer of ’08 to create a business plan and vision cast with local artists and educators for innovative and creative programming.”

So far, Stuff has been able to operate on building partnerships with local organizations through volunteers as well as material and monetary donations. Branigan said applying for grants is another way organizers hope to continue its growth. In the past, Stuff has partnered with local businesses such as: Hands on Greater Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, VCU Department of Art Education, and many more.

Branigan, who is an instructor in the Department of Art Education at VCU, said she hopes the space will eventually offer after-school programs for children and their families.

Stuff has several upcoming workshops this spring, including Missing Monsters with Deanna Miller at the end of March and Save the Trash with Carter Anderson in April.

“The last one we have planned for Spring is a soap making workshop using different natural materials and that is with Michael Wilson,” Branigan said. “I think we’re going to do that out at Tuckahoe Plantation and do a farm chore out there as well.”

Branigan said the specific dates for each workshop are still being nailed down, so check the Stuff Inc. website for more details on all upcoming events.

(Images courtesy of richmondstuff.org. The cupcake candles are made with recycled crayons and are available for purchase at J Fergeson Gallery. If you like the flower charm pictured, find out how to make it here.)

April 1, 2010 6:00 AM 0