The Quinte Arts Council (QAC) is committed to ensuring that the arts are accessible to everyone, reflecting their dedication to inclusivity and access for all. The QAC is holding the second annual Art Supply Swap on Saturday August 24th from 11 am – 3 pm at the QAC Cultural Hub, 36 Bridge St. East, Belleville.
The Art Supply Swap offers an opportunity for people to try a new art form or expand on one they already love, all for free. If you have items to donate, you can drop off your items at the QAC from Tuesday to Friday between 10 AM and 3 PM. Art supplies can also be brought in on the day of the swap. All types of art supplies in any medium are accepted, including yarn, fabric, paint, canvases, buttons, gems, stationery, and more!
“One of our volunteers suggested the Art Supply Swap last year and it was a hit. People dropped off items throughout the month, and on the day of the swap, the hub was bustling with people shopping. The turnout was amazing!” says Janet Jarrell, Executive Director of the QAC. “A retired artist donated a full kit of oil paints with a travel case and travel easel. A young artist and student from Loyalist College, Chirag Parcha, picked that up and used the set at our event Plein Air in the Path of Totality to celebrate the eclipse. He donated his painting from that day to the QAC and it’s hanging in our office.”
By dropping off items to the Art Supply Swap you are helping your community with:
- Sustainability: By donating, you help reduce waste. Supplies find new homes instead of ending up in landfills.
- Community Building: Art swaps foster connections among artists. You contribute to a supportive creative community.
- Decluttering: Clearing out unused supplies frees up space and inspires fresh ideas.
- Access for All: Supplies become accessible to those who may not afford new materials.
The swap isn’t just for artists but for anyone who loves art. By participating, you can save money on new supplies, explore a variety of different mediums, and positively impact the environment. Choosing secondhand supplies reduces the demand for new production and prevents items from ending up in a landfill. Plus, discovering new supplies might give you the creative spark you need to start a new project.
Artist Sarah Winn dropped off items to the swap last year and got a creative spark when she saw the items that were available.
“Last year’s art supply swap at the QAC, I dropped some art supplies I wouldn’t be using with the intention of someone else using them, hopefully. I then grabbed some matte board and a frame or two. I ended up using it all when creating for my show “Happily Ever After- the dark side of nursery rhymes and fairy tales” last February 2024 also at QAC,” says Winn.
“If I hadn’t picked up the supplies that someone had swapped, I would have had to buy new.
Not only am I glad I didn’t have to go out and buy it, but more importantly I was able to recycle unwanted art materials. I absolutely love the concept of sharing and making this accessible to everyone. Remember one person’s junk is another’s treasure.
Recycle, Reuse, Create.”
Unleash your creativity! You can drop off supplies anytime until the 24th. Come out to the Art Supply Swap on August 24th from 11 am – 3 pm at 36 Bridge St. East, Belleville and pick up something to add to your supplies, start a project and begin a new creative journey.
