Hey there! My name is Sarah Marris-Swann. I’m a painter and a registered nurse with a specialty in community and mental health, and I live in Utica, NY.
I started talking with people in Utica about the idea of a creative reuse center and makerspace in July 2023. Along the way, I’ve learned that I am by no means the first person here to wish for this kind of organization in our city– I’ve met so many people in the area who are excited and eager to participate in creative reuse!
Reasons Why We Love Creative Reuse Centers:
- We love to shop local and support small businesses. Unfortunately, the closest art supply stores are in Rome or Syracuse.
- We want to shop sustainably! We love thrift stores, and a creative reuse center is like a thrift store for arts and crafts. Shopping used reduces our environmental impact by keeping stuff out of landfills, and reducing the demand for new items (which use additional energy and deplete natural resources).
- We want to promote creativity and community among artists of all ages and abilities, with the lowest possible barriers to accessing programming. Everyone should have access to exploring their artistic expression
- We want more “third spaces” — places where people can gather, to create, educate, and collaborate outside of work or home. These kinds of places are vital to the health and well-being of our communities!
Does this sound like you? Drop a comment below to tell me what you think!
Utica Creative Reuse 
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