Join us at Scrap a Go-Go Under the Sea on Saturday, July 30

The Scrap Exchange invites you to party under the sea and help them celebrate 20 years of creative reuse! The Scrap Exchange will host Scrap a Go-Go Under the Sea, a semi-formal dance party on July 30th at the Trotter Building in Durham. The under-the-sea themed party will feature local ’70s cover band sensation The Wusses as well as several DJs spinning vintage tunes. Scrap a Go-Go is an all-ages event lasting from 6:30 pm-1:00 am. There will be activities to delight young and old including a free Make-n-Take area of Scrap Exchange materials, an ocean-themed photo booth, a food truck rodeo, beer, games and outrageous costumes.

Families with young children should plan to arrive early. Children's activities, including a make-and-take table and carnival games, will be scheduled from 6:30-9:00 pm. A silent auction will feature a wide variety of goods and services from local businesses. After 9 pm all attention turns to the dance floor. DJs will spin music throughout the evening leading up to the appearance of The Wusses, a Durham-based 70s cover band, who will take the stage around 10 pm.

Retro and event-themed semi-formal costuming is encouraged! Special prizes will be awarded for the best theme-related costumes and the best examples of creative reuse costuming.

Tickets are available for purchase beginning July 5 at The Scrap Exchange creative reuse center located at 923 Franklin Street in Durham, or online at http://scrapexchange.eventbrite.com/. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 15.

Scrap a Go-Go Under the Sea is sponsored in part by Pabst Blue Ribbon, Burt's Bees and Vaguely Reminiscent. Proceeds from Scrap a Go-Go will benefit The Scrap Exchange to help recover revenue lost and expenses incurred in the aftermath of the roof collapse at Liberty Warehouse.

Current Artist Opportunities at The Scrap Exchange

Call for Artists!
The Scrap Exchange is seeking artists for a variety of opportunities.  See the details below for more information.

Instructors Needed for Fall Art and Creative Reuse Classes

The Scrap Exchange is currently accepting applications for instructors for our fall series of creative reuse classes! The Scrap offers a variety of one day or continuing sessions led by local artists in their field of expertise. All classes are held at our new home at 923 Franklin St. in the Golden Belt district of Durham and should be designed to offer community members the chance to learn skills and techniques to create usable functional or decorative items from reclaimed materials. Classes are led by local artists and artisans interested in sharing their skills, knowledge, and experience. Classes should be built around the use of reused or reclaimed materials, ideally materials that can be found at The Scrap Exchange! Past classes have included instruction for bottle cap jewelry making, home screen-printing, quilting fabric postcards, mosaics, t-shirt quilts, mixed media totems, and more!


If you are interested in teaching a class in our upcoming session please review our guidelines and application for teaching artists at: http://www.scrapexchange.org/pdfs/TeacherGuidelines_2010.pdf
Then fill out the application and turn in a copy to Rowan Martell at The Scrap Exchange Programs Office or email a copy to events@scrapexchange.org. For more information, call Rowan at 919-682-2751.  The deadline for applications is August 1st.


Artists Needed for Our Expanding Artist Marketplace!

One of the benefits of moving to our new location at 923 Franklin Street, is that we now have more room to display and sell local art.  And the public is responding well to our artists and our new space; we are happy to announce that Artist Marketplace sales are increasing!

More space and better sales means we need MORE artists!  The Scrap Exchange is actively looking for artists to sell creative reuse artworks and/or environmentally friendly products through the Artists' Marketplace in our retail store. We are especially seeking out furniture, clothing, jewelry and sculpture. The more creative the use of material, the better! 

By the way, did you notice in that list above that we are looking for... furniture???  The Scrap Exchange is excited to now have space indoors and outdoors to display and sell repurposed furniture from local furniture artists and craftsmen.  Outdoor furniture will be displayed outdoors on the open, elevated patio space next to our main entrance.  (Outdoor furniture will be exposed to the elements and we will be asking artists to sign a release form.)

All sales are made on consignment with a 60/40 commission split and the artwork must be preapproved. Artwork must contain mostly repurposed materials or an environmentally friendly component.  If you are interested, please call Julia at 919-688-6960 email store@scrapexchange.org to set up an appointment.

Green Gallery Exhibit, "Put a Bird On It" Opens Friday, July 15

"Put a Bird On It"
Upcycled birdhouses, bird feeders and bird-focused art
July 15 - August 13
In the Green Gallery at The Scrap Exchange
Opening Reception: Friday, July 15 from 6 to 9 pm

The Scrap Exchange is going to the birds with its next exhibit in The Green Gallery. Put a Bird on It which opens July 15, will feature upcycled birdhouses, bird feeders, and other bird-focused art by Simone Barbe, Mark Burnham, Karen Dillard, Bryant Holsenbeck and other artists.

As with all art featured in The Green Gallery, the birdhouses and other creations incorporate recycled ingredients, to help fulfill Scrap's mission of keeping discards out of landfills. Bryant Holsenbeck's environmental art incorporates everyday items she scavenges. Simone Barbe's Silver Palate Feeders feature old silver and silver-plated tea pots and other utensils. Karen Dillard's Dillardville Birdhouses incorporate lumber rescued from old buildings being demolished, as well as old hardware and other items. And Mark Burnham uses vintage tobacco sticks and other recycled wood in his birdhouses and whirligigs.

Birdhouse aficionados may have seen one of Burnham's latest creations. Now in his mid-80s, the Chatham County artist won first place this spring in the adult/serious category for his “Tobacco Barn Birdhouse” in the annual N&O Birdhouse Contest run by the News & Observer and N.C. State University’s J.C. Raulston Arboretum.

Put a Bird On It will run from July 15 through August 13. Admission to The Green Gallery is free. The gallery is open to view anytime during regular retail store hours.

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, July 15, from 6 to 9 pm, with free make-and-take activities, refreshments, PBR beer and music by the Blue Tailed Skinks.