Tucked inside Carolina Arts Café + Studios is our Used & New-to-You Art Supply Shop—a creative reuse space built on a simple truth:
Most of us buy more art supplies than we’ll ever use.
And somewhere else, someone is longing to create—but can’t afford the materials.
We exist to bridge that gap.
Why a Used Art Supply Shop?
Art supplies are expensive. Creativity shouldn’t be.
Our shop makes art-making more affordable by offering:
- Gently used and surplus supplies at low, accessible prices
- A sustainable alternative to buying new
- A community-powered model that keeps materials in circulation
- A way for creativity to reach people who need it most
When supplies are shared, creativity multiplies.
We Need Your Donations 💛
If you have an arts-and-crafts closet, bin, drawer, or tote filled with:
- Half-used paints
- Extra brushes
- Paper stacks you never touched
- Craft kits you meant to start
- Supplies from past hobbies, classrooms, studios, or kids’ projects
—we would love to give them a second life.
Your leftovers can become someone else’s beginning.
What We Accept
We gladly accept clean, usable:
- Paints (acrylics, watercolor, gouache—not dried out)
- Brushes, palettes, tools
- Paper, sketchbooks, cardstock
- Collage materials and mixed media supplies
- Fiber, yarn, fabric scraps
- Printmaking, journaling, and paper arts materials
- Craft kits (opened or unopened)
If you’re unsure—bring it anyway. We’re happy to take a look.
Why Your Donation Matters
When you donate art supplies, you’re helping:
- Kids explore creativity without cost barriers
- Families make art together affordably
- Students and teachers stretch limited budgets
- Artists experiment without financial risk
- Community members access creativity as care
You’re not just donating supplies.
You’re donating possibility.
How It Works
- Drop off donations during open hours
- We sort, organize, and price items affordably
- Supplies go directly back into the community
- Proceeds support free and low-cost programming, workshops, and creative access
Nothing fancy. Just generosity in motion.
A Shared Creative Economy
The Art Supply Shop is built on abundance, not scarcity.
Because creativity doesn’t diminish when it’s shared.
It grows.
So if your art supplies are gathering dust—
let them gather stories, joy, and color instead.
Carolina Arts Cafe + Studios 