April is Earth Month! This is a great time to reflect on how we can protect our planet and its resources. In the spirit of collective action, we will be hosting our second annual Community Cleanup on Saturday 4/26. Join us to pick up litter around Utica from 1-3pm!
Free bags and gloves are provided, and people of all ages are invited to join. This event is made possible with the support of Keep Mohawk Valley Beautiful, the City of Utica’s participation in the Great American Cleanup, and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute.
One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure!
Our Earth Week Community Cleanup also marks the kick-off of our Trash to Treasure Art Challenge! While picking up litter, we encourage you to be on the hunt for interesting and unique objects, and save them to use in a work of found-object art!
If you’re new to using trash in your art, our creative reuse workshops can help guide you through the process of creating art that incorporates found objects. Stay tuned for classes that will teach you how to find, clean, and use these objects in sculpture, fiber arts, and mosaic!
Submit your found-object artwork by June 15, 2025 to participate in the challenge! Selected works will be shown in a group exhibition.
Learn more about the 2025 Trash to Treasure Art Challenge & check out the gallery of last year’s submissions!
April Events
Join us for a free event in April!
- Saturday 4/12/25: Seed Swap at Utica Creative Reuse
Come swap seeds and advice for starting seedlings! Co-hosted by Field Table Farm.
734 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502
No registration required - Saturday 4/19/25: Seed Swap at Oneida County Public Market
Visit us to swap seeds and advice for starting seedlings, with Field Table Farm and Banks Farm at the Oneida County Public Market inside Union Station.
321 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501
No registration required - Tuesday 4/22/25: T-Shirt Yarn Weaving, 6-8pm
Learn to upcycle cotton t-shirts into yarn, and make a potholder
734 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502
Register - Friday 4/25/25: Art Club Meeting
Upcycle a container into a color cache! Bring an empty vessel that you can paint on (empty can of olives, cherry jar, cigar box, bottles, etc.)
More info about Art Club at @artsclubutica
734 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502
RSVP - Saturday 4/26/25: Earth Week Community Cleanup, 1-3pm
Join us to pick up litter in Utica, NY. Free bags and gloves provided.
734 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502
Join the Cleanup! - Wednesday 4/30/25: Repair Cafe, 6-8pm
734 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13502
Learn to fix your stuff! Bring an item that is broken or needs mending, and we will help you diagnose and learn how to repair it.
Register to get an item repaired, or Volunteer to help fix stuff!
Organizational Updates
We are making great strides in unpacking and organizing all of the arts & crafts materials that have been donated by our generous community, and getting closer every day to being able to open our thrift shop to the public!
Materials Donations: You can now drop off donations of your unwanted but still usable arts and crafts materials and supplies on Fridays during the hours of 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at our new location: 734 Columbia Street in Utica, NY.
In Search Of: We are currently in search of a sturdy bookshelf to display crafting books that have been donated. Please contact us if this is something you can donate!
Support Utica Creative Reuse
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter, we’re so glad you’re here! Here are a few other ways you can help support our work:
- Contact us if you have items to donate: We are currently in search of some specific items, such as: bookshelves, small organizer bins, and tabletop retail displays
- Make a financial contribution to support our mission! Financial donations of any amount, along with proceeds from thrift shop sales, help us keep the lights on and pay for other costs associated with operating the thrift store and our free art workshops.
- Volunteer, or attend an event
- Share our events, posts, or newsletter with a friend!
Utica Creative Reuse 
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