WINNIPEG — Behind the doors of an unassuming warehouse in a back lane on William Avenue lies a space full of treasures that could have been trash. ArtsJunktion collects art materials of all kinds and offers them at no cost (but a donation is encouraged) to just about anyone who is feeling artistically inspired.
The not-for-profit aims to build a community of artists helping each other through donated materials and workshops, all while keeping our environment in mind.
“It’s a place where rather than sending huge amounts of materials to the landfill, we can help redirect it towards people for the purpose of art,” Andrea Bell Stuart, one of the space’s founders said.
The warehouse is packed during business hours, and they see all types of people filter through.
“We get artists coming in all the time, we get general public coming in, we even get visitors from other towns coming in,” said Bell Stuart.
Briony Haig has been finding inspiration in the shelves of ArtsJunktion since it opened its doors nine years ago. She said the supplies she’s taken home have not only benefited her, but also her students.
“I don’t always have a specific purpose in mind for objects I pick up, but if they appeal to me somehow, I’ll pick them up,” Haig said. “A lot of stuff I incorporate into my artwork, or I’ll take it to school. I’m always having kids do artwork with recycled material.”
The space relies on donations, fundraising and dedicated volunteers. They all have a common goal: to make art accessible to everyone.
“I think that the arts are the joy of life and so I think it’s important that everyone has the chance to make art,” Haig said.
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