Almost anything can be used as a material for art making. Don’t let buying art supplies drain your creative energy, or your bank account. Here are a couple of art supply shortcuts and tips that may benefit your wallet.
– Let’s start with where you can find art supplies.
—> The Usual Suspects: Plaza Art, Walmart, Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric, Lowes
—> Thinking Outside the Box: thrift stores, grocery stores, dollar stores
—> On the Cheap, i.e. Free: natural materials, recycling bin, your parent’s house, VCU Arts and Crafts Supplies Facebook group
– Price-checking between stores takes just a couple of minutes and can save you a few dollars. Download the app for Michaels and Jo-Ann fabrics for discounts.
– Don’t have a car? Not a problem. The GRTC bus can get you to almost anywhere in town. For $1-5 plan your ride online
– The Depot’s Swap Shop is a great new resource. Drop off your unwanted art supplies and swap them for “Depot Dollars” to purchase more art supplies at the end of the month. Learn more by visiting their Facebook page.
– The Money Spot at VCU is a free service for students. The counseling center is designed to help students navigate through tricky financial waters. You can reach them by email or Facebook.
– Look to other artists for inspiration to create with inventive materials. Some VCUarts artists that use non-conventional materials are Craft/Material Studies Assistant Professor, Susie Ganch, (recycled jewelry maker) and Hillary Waters Fayle (M.F.A. ’15) who combines natural elements with needlecraft.
Did you find this post helpful? Take a look at our Survival Guide: Beginning a New Year at VCUarts, which can be useful anytime of the year!
Image: Detail shot from Assistant Professor Nicole Killian’s studio. Photo by Terry Brown for VCUarts.
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