ArtsJunktion getting back up to speed

West End

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/01/2025 (440 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ArtsJunktion has finally reopened. The downtown creative reuse depot had been missed by many since it closed following a fire last March.

Over 150 people showed up to the re-opening celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19. Many of them left with bags full of the donated art supplies and other reusable materials. These are always take-what-you-need, pay-what-you-can.

Some sat and crafted for a bit and enjoyed a variety of finger foods while listening to DJ Rampage mix tunes just inside the entrance. Others took the opportunity to learn more about the charitable community organization as they dropped off donations.

“I love that I can come here with what’s in my pocket and leave with a bag of supplies” said the artist known as Dano while painting at the crafting table. He enjoys the creative vibe in the sometimes-chaotic space. “They call me the resident artist” he added, proudly pointing out his painting on the wall.

Many of the bits and bobs that other thrift stores usually don’t want are accepted here. This includes scraps of fabric, buttons, half skeins of wool, card stock, old postcards, and more. Tubes of paint, canvases, pastels and other fine art supplies are especially welcome even if they are half used up. Artmaking is often an exuberantly messy process anyhow.

The depot has historically diverted and redistributed about 3,000 kilograms of reusable materials from the landfill each month. Like other creative reuse depots, it painstakingly tracks this statistic by weighing all donations both as both as they come in and go out.

Presently ArtsJunktion is only open for shopping one or two days a month. Teachers have their own shopping dates to gather classroom supplies and non-profit organizations have specific dates, too. (Of course, all are also welcome on community shopping days.)

The reopening is going slowly and intentionally. ArtsJunktion doesn’t want to go big and create expectations it can’t uphold. Sorting, stocking and organizing takes up a lot of everyone’s time, as do community art projects.

Organizers and volunteers are gauging the community’s interest in workshops like the winter crafting workshops recently held at both Millennium Library and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Aptly, participants made warm mittens out of old sweaters during the event at the library.

Donations are accepted on Wednesdays at the ArtsJunktion storefront and depot, located in the Allman block at 594 Main St. If you are bringing more than three boxes you should call ahead first. ArtsJunktion.mb.ca features a list of the materials currently being accepted.

Follow ArtsJunktion on social media for up-to-date monthly calendars listing shopping days, workshops and free, drop-in ‘crafternoons.’