Art Remains Creative ReUse Center Sells Affordable Supplies

The Bloomington nonprofit store offers donated art materials to the public at significantly reduced prices.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Local Shops

Gouache-painted illustration of various art supplies including yarn, brushes, and fabric, representing a community creative reuse center. — The Art Remains Creative ReUse Center in Bloomington offers donated art supplies at reduced prices, diverting usable items from local landfills. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you choose secondhand materials over buying new supplies for your own creative projects?

Located at 115 N. College Ave., Art Remains Creative ReUse Center functions as a nonprofit thrift store for donated arts and craft supplies. The organization, which moved to its current storefront in 2024, operates with a mission to keep materials out of landfills while making art supplies affordable.

Why it matters

The center aims to foster community by providing accessible resources for creators. By reselling donated goods, the nonprofit diverts usable items from local landfills and supports local artistic endeavors.

Store prices are set at one-fourth to one-third of original retail costs, with customers spending as little as $7 per visit. The center operates out of 115 N. College Ave. in Bloomington.

The players

Art Remains Creative ReUse Center

A Bloomington nonprofit organization that collects and resells donated art supplies to build community and reduce waste.

Agnes Galvin

A volunteer at the center who has contributed to the organization since moving to the area in 2025.

The details

Volunteers at the center sort, label, and price donated materials to prepare them for the sales floor. The shop is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 3-6 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The nonprofit moved to its current location in 2024.
Volunteer Agnes Galvin moved to Bloomington in August 2025.
Agnes Galvin began volunteering at the center in January 2026.
The nonprofit plans to hire its first paid employee in November 2026.

Culture Shift

This effort is part of a broader cultural movement toward sustainable living and the rejection of single-use consumption in the arts. It mirrors the growth of creative reuse centers nationwide that focus on diverting waste from landfills through community-based donation models.

Local residents can access discounted arts and craft materials for a fraction of standard retail prices during the center's weekend and weekday operating hours. Shoppers should be prepared for changing inventory based on the donations processed by volunteers.

The takeaway

Shopping at creative reuse stores provides a cost-effective way to source supplies while supporting local environmental sustainability efforts. Residents looking to clear out their own art collections are encouraged to donate their surplus materials to help maintain the center's inventory.