Brushwood Art Supply Exchange (BASE) at Ryerson Woods is a new materials exchange and creative reuse center. BASE will be a source of low-cost art materials with special discounts for educators and community partners. From professionals and educators to students, families and the simply craft-curious, we serve all levels of artists. BASE will also serve as a library of tools and resources, and an open workspace for artists of all disciplines and abilities to gather and create.
Did you start a quilt a decade ago that you don’t intend to finish? Did you switch from oils to acrylic? Does knitting no longer “spark joy”? Artists and crafters often accumulate tools and supplies that they no longer need. We would be thrilled to pass your unwanted art supplies and tools along to someone else who would like to use them and in the process, keep those items out of the landfills. We accept a wide range of art & craft materials in good condition from individuals, organizations, schools and businesses. Please check here for a list of items accepted for donation.
BASE will feature all kinds of supplies for creating art – from paints and brushes to fabric and thread to pinecones and popsicle sticks. The items we collect will be sorted and brought into BASE headquarters inside Brushwood Center. Most items will be available for sale at very low prices, and some items will be available FREE to educators and students taking classes at Brushwood Center . Check back often – you never know what you’ll find!
Some of the items we collect are better shared. Items such as art reference books, sets of specialized tools, or things like sewing machines will be kept in house and made available for use at Brushwood Center or to take home on loan. Don’t have room to create or want to do a project with our loaner items? An open work table will be available inside BASE for you to use. Brushwood Center also has lots of other rooms where you can spread out and create (subject to availability).
One of the best resources we can share is each other! Starting in mid-March, Brushwood Center will host regular Craft-ins on Saturday mornings, where people are encouraged to come and create together. Bring whatever portable project you are working on, or get some supplies from BASE and see where inspiration takes you. It’s a low pressure opportunity to try something new, spend time with friends and also to share your skills with others.
