"The Artful Robot" Opens in The Green Gallery

Green Gallery Exhibit:  "The Artful Robot", robotic-inspired art by local artists
March 16-April 14
Opening Reception: March 16 from 6-9pm

“The Artful Robot" celebrates all things robotic in this community exhibit opening in The Green Gallery at The Scrap Exchange.  Come see how artists throughout the region use old computer bits, random metal, containers, canisters, buttons, broken jewelry, unexpected discards, and other detritus to make... robots!  The Green Gallery will be transformed into a fantasy world incorporating a wide variety of two-dimensional, sculptural, metal and interactive art that playfully explores our perception of robots from the past, present and future.

The opening reception of "The Artful Robot" is scheduled for Friday, March 16, from 6-9 pm.  Festivities will include free make-and-take activities, refreshments, PBR beer and music. Artist Sebastian Herdlicka will also lead a drop-in class titled "Tetra Pak Wallets" during the gallery opening.  The class takes place in the new Design Studio at The Scrap Exchange.  Students will learn how to create a wallet from empty milk or juice boxes.  The class fee is $7 and students can drop in and participate anytime from 6-9 pm.  Bring your own empty drink boxes or use one provided by the instructor.

"The Artful Robot" will run from March 16 through April 14. Admission is free. The Green Gallery is located inside The Scrap Exchange creative reuse center, at 923 Franklin Street in Durham.  The gallery is open to view anytime during regular retail store hours. For more information, call 919-688-6960.

“The Artful Robot” exhibit was inspired by robotic art created by local artists throughout the last two decades,including this “R2D2” robot that had been hibernating in the old Scrap Exchange warehouse for many years.

Store Closed for Remodeling March 4 through March 7

The Scrap Exchange will be closed from Sunday, March 4 through Wednesday, March 7 for remodeling work that will “flip” the orientation of the store layout.

The main store entrance will be moved to the opposite end of the building, closer to the CC&W parking spaces where we’ve been asking Scrap Exchange customers to park. We’re breaking out a wall for the main entrance door, rearranging inventory, shifting some offices and work space, expanding our Artist’s Marketplace, and much, much more.

When we reopen on Thursday, March 8, you’ll walk into the best Scrap Exchange shopping experience ever. We can’t wait!

"Leaving Liberty" Opens in The Green Gallery at The Scrap Exchange

When the roof collapsed on the Liberty Warehouse in downtown Durham on May 14, 2011, it marked the end of the most recent era for the historic structure. During the previous 10 years, the Liberty Warehouse, a thriving tobacco auction warehouse from the 1940s-1980s, had shifted gears. The building became home to a growing number of art-related nonprofits and independent small businesses, including The Scrap Exchange and Liberty Arts. All were forced to move out abruptly once the entire building was condemned immediately following the roof failure.

The next gallery show at The Scrap Exchange pays homage to the art, creativity and community fostered on a daily basis within Liberty Warehouse during the last decade. "Leaving Liberty," which opens February 17 in the Green Gallery at The Scrap Exchange, will feature artwork created and inspired inside those old warehouse walls by Durham artist Daniel Bagnell.

Bagnell has been the collections coordinator and warehouse manager at The Scrap Exchange for over 5 years. This show will feature work he created in the previous Scrap Exchange warehouse space made entirely from odds and ends gathered there. From ready-mades to kinetic sculpture to collections of unexpected like objects, the former Scrap Exchange warehouse space had inspired an infinite variety of aesthetic assemblage and visual delights. Come and see what all those scraps were up to in the far corners of the building while nobody was looking...

The opening reception of "Leaving Liberty" is scheduled for Friday, February 17, from 6-9 pm. Festivities will include free make-and-take activities, refreshments, PBR beer and live music. Executive Director Ann Woodward will also lead a drop-in class titled "Altered Sweaters" during the gallery opening. The class takes place in the new Design Studio at The Scrap Exchange. Students will learn how to alter old sweaters into new creations like scarves and hats. The class fee is $5 and students can drop in and participate anytime from 6-9 pm. Bring your own sweater or use one provided.

While The Scrap Exchange has left Liberty Warehouse behind, the organization continues to forge a strong path ahead to the future at it's new location in The Cordoba Center for the Arts on Franklin Street in Durham. This gallery opening will mark the beginning of new, extended store hours for The Scrap Exchange! Starting February 17, the retail store will be open every Thursday and Friday evening until 9 pm, allowing for longer shopping hours and expanded programming to serve the community.

"Leaving Liberty" will run from February 17 through March 10. Admission is free. The Green Gallery is located inside The Scrap Exchange creative reuse center, at 923 Franklin Street in Durham. The gallery is open to view anytime during regular retail store hours. For more information, call 919-688-6960.  Check out more of Daniel's work on his Tumblr page.

February Classes at The Scrap Exchange

Are you ready to take a class in creative reuse? Our events coordinator Jessica Moore has been busy scheduling classes to take full advantage of our new design center. You've asked for classes spanning a wider variety of topics, days and times, and we are delivering! Check out the February schedule of classes below and sign up for one today. You can register and pay for classes online; a dedicated registration link is provided for most classes. And stay tuned for even more classes to be offered in March and April.


How to Channel Your Creative Energy in 2012
Sponsored by Catherine Howard and Aaron Mandel
Thursdays, January 12-February 2
7:30-8:30pm
Fee: Donate what you can!
Registration: Call Jessica Moore at 919-213-1278

Many artists, writers, musicians and other creative people struggle to manage their time, to develop and narrow their goals. Despite having great ideas, fail to produce the output they desire and dream of. To be the artist you want to be, you must complete projects. Learn to achieve your career goals by setting interim benchmarks and achieving them.


Yoga for Kids
Weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning February 2
4pm-5pm
Ages: Tuesdays: Grades K-2, Thursdays: Grades 3-5
Instructor: Nataraja Healing Arts
Fee: Donate what you can!
Registration: Call Jessica Moore at 919-213-1278

Kids yoga promotes self-esteem, body awareness, self- control, and general well-being in a fun, uplifting, noncompetitive environment. Kids expand their self-awareness and social-emotional skills as they explore yoga breathing, poses and principles. In addition to developing focus, flexibility, strength, balance and coordination, they learn how to visualize and deeply relax. Kids yoga classes will incorporate, games, music and storytelling, and will include a hands-on art activity based on the week's theme. All donations are paid to the instructor.


Beginning Sewing
Thursdays, February 9 - March 1 (4-part class)
4-6pm
Instructor: Madeline James
Ages: 7-10 year olds
Fee: $65 for 4 sessions
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-10.eventbrite.com/

In this class students will make a basic tote bag using reclaimed fabric. Sessions are designed for students with little to no sewing experience.
Session 1- Getting to Know Your Machine
Session 2- Choosing Materials, Measuring, Cutting, and Pinning
Session 3- Sewing Your Bag
Session 4- Finishing Your Bag



Beginning Knitting
Wednesdays, February 15 & 22
6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Andrea Stephens
Ages:16+
Fee:$35
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-03.eventbrite.com/

Have you always wanted to learn to knit? Learn the basic stitches in knitting as well as how to cast-on and bind-off in this two session class. We’ll cover the tools, vocabulary and basic skills, then you’ll be ready to begin your first project using re-purposed materials. Supplies included.


Altered Sweaters
Friday, February 17
6-9pm (drop-in anytime during class hours)
Instructor: Ann Woodward
All ages
Fee:$5
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-04.eventbrite.com/

Bring a sweater or two, and make a scarf, hat, or just change it up into your own unique, one-of-a-kind design. Special Third Friday drop-in class!


Sock Monkeys
Saturday, February 18
10am-Noon
Instructor: Dara McGinn
All ages
Fee:$10
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-05.eventbrite.com/

Learn how to make your own custom sock monkey from 2 old socks, left-over buttons, and filling. No prior experience is necessary. For kids and adults. Bring your favorite pair of old socks if you like!


T-Shirt Re-Make
Monday, February 20
3-5pm
Instructor: Madeline James
Ages:16+
Fee:$10
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-06.eventbrite.com/

Got loads of baggy tee-shirts that you will never wear from your school, dance squad, team building events, and all those other cool things you do? Learn to sassify your wardrobe with a t-shirt modification class. You don’t have to have a lot of sewing experience, but basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine wil help. Bring a t-shirt that you would like to modify and a t-shirt or tank top that fits you well to use as a pattern. By the end of the class you will have one sassy T, and the skills to make many more.


Funky Pet Food Totes
Tuesday, February 21
6-8pm
Instructor: Madeline James
Ages:16+
Fee:$10
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-07.eventbrite.com/

Turn used pet food bags (or bird seed bags) into sturdy and attractive tote bags. All feed bags and other materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. This is a fun and easy project, but some previous sewing experience is required.


Cape it Up: Discover your inner super hero
Friday, February 24
6-9pm (drop-in anytime during class hours)
Instructor: Sara McCreary
Ages: 16+
Fee: $7
Online registration link: http://scrapclass2012-08.eventbrite.com/

Fight crime, live in a magical world, or be an evil villain - the choice is yours when you learn to sew a cape and design your own super hero symbol. Show the world your inner powers! Special drop-in class.


Collage Cards
Sunday, February 26
2-5pm
Instructor: Rechel Harris
Ages:16+
Fee:$20
Online Registration Link: http://scrapclass2012-09.eventbrite.com/

Create a collage that reflects different aspects of yourself! This collage class, inspired by the process of SoulCollage as described in Seena B. Frost’s published works about SoulCollage®, will guide you through the process making an original picture using images from magazines, cards, calendars, and more. Each card you make will reflect an aspect of your inner self.

Green Gallery Opening: "Xiucutil: The Origin of Beautiful Species"

Discarded wood finds new life in the next exhibit in The Green Gallery at The Scrap Exchange. "Xiucutil: The Origin of Beautiful Species," which opens January 20, will feature paintings and burned images on salvaged wood by Durham native Joe McDonough.

McDonough is a conceptual, performance, and visual-based artist, writer, and musician. He is also a comedian. He was born in Durham in 1981. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, McDonough has drawn experience for his art and comedy while living in cities across the US, including Providence, Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, upstate New York, and various towns in North Carolina. He currently lives in Richmond, Virginia. Interested in the way time affects objects, McDonough works largely with found and discarded materials.

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, January 20, from 6-9 pm, with free make-and-take activities, refreshments, PBR beer and live music.

"Xiucutil: The Origin of Beautiful Species" will run from January 20 through February 11. Admission to The Green Gallery is free. The Green Gallery is located inside The Scrap Exchange creative reuse center, at 923 Franklin St. in Durham. The gallery is open to view anytime during regular retail store hours. For more information, call 919-688-6960. To see more artwork from Joe McDonough, go to http://www.joemcdonough.net/.

You are Invited to our Holiday Party and Iron Crafter 3!

The Scrap Exchange will host its annual holiday party and Iron Crafter 3 competition on Friday, December 16 from 6-9 pm, and the public is invited!

The festivities will feature refreshments, live music by the Resurrection Blues Band, and a Cake Walk. Attendees can also shop for handcrafted gifts by local artists from repurposed materials in the Artist Marketplace and in Craftland, our expanded holiday marketplace set up in the Green Gallery.

But the highlight of the evening is sure to be the 3rd annual Iron Crafter competition!

Iron Crafter is a wild and wacky craft competition where contestants compete against each other in front of a live audience to create works of art from materials found right here at The Scrap Exchange. This year, Iron Crafter will feature three separate challenges: a Collage Challenge, a Sewing Challenge and the ever popular Secret Ingredient Challenge. Judges will be on hand to select Challenge winners as well as an overall Grand Prize winner, who will take home the Iron Crafter Cup trophy. The public will also vote for a People's Choice winner. Anyone who attends the holiday party is eligible to sign up for the chance to be selected to participate in Iron Crafter. A limited number of contestants will be randomly selected from the signup sheets for each challenge. Whether competing as a contestant or cheering on the action, Iron Crafter provides great fun for all!

Vote for The Scrap Exchange in the Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge

Own a cell phone? Then YOU can help the Scrap Exchange win $5000! The Scrap Exchange has an entry in the Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge, currently on display in Diamond View Park at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. The Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge is a contest open to area nonprofits where you can text in votes for your favorite nonprofit and their tree. Cash prizes are awarded for the trees with the most votes. The top prize is $5000. Voting began on December 2nd and will end on December 18 at 11:59 pm. To vote for The Scrap Exchange (and our festive rocketship tree designed by our fabulous staff), text TREE28 to 46988. You can text one vote per day per cell phone.

More information on the Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge including a photo of all the trees can be found at http://www.triangletreechallenge.com/. You can also vote online on the Triangle Tree Challenge website.

The Scrap Exchange gives a huge THANK YOU to Julio Cordoba and the Cordoba Center for the Arts for sponsoring our entry!