ArtStart, a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, will host a community block party on September 27, 2023, to celebrate the successful purchase of its building located in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood. The building has served as the home for ArtStart’s ArtScraps Creative Reuse Materials and Idea Center for over 32 years, making this event a significant milestone for the organization.
“We can’t wait to fill the street with joy, creativity, and connection,” said Anne Sawyer, the executive director of ArtStart. The family-friendly celebration is free to attend and will take place from 15:00 to 18:00 at the ArtScraps store, situated at 1459 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul.
The event promises to be an engaging experience for attendees, featuring a variety of highlights. Performances will include Hijinks Stilts at 15:45 and the Brazilian percussion band Batucada do Norte at 16:00. Additionally, the Poetry Bus will provide on-demand poems, along with food trucks and art-making activities for all ages.
ArtStart is well-known for its commitment to sustainability, collecting donations of recycled materials and art supplies. These items are then made available to the public at low prices through the ArtScraps center. The organization also conducts youth art camps, library workshops, and artist residencies in schools throughout the Twin Cities area.
Over the summer, ArtStart initiated a fundraising campaign to gather $10,000 for the acquisition of its ArtScraps center building. The community responded enthusiastically, allowing the nonprofit to exceed its goal by raising over $12,500.
“We’re really happy to have the building, because it helps us keep doing what we’re doing,” Sawyer stated, highlighting the importance of the facility for the organization’s ongoing programs and initiatives.
As the block party approaches, local residents and art enthusiasts are encouraged to join in the festivities, celebrating a space dedicated to creativity and community. The event not only marks a new chapter for ArtStart but also reinforces its ongoing mission to promote artistic expression and environmental consciousness in the community.
