About a month ago, I joined the EXCL center in Boston. EXCL is "an amazing upcycling center in the basement of the Boston Latin Academy". I never would've known about EXCL (Extras for Creative Learning), much less be able to find my way there, without the help of my good friend Sue who works for the Boston Public Schools. When she first told me about EXCL my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Free art stuff?? Helping the environment?? Yes, please!
From their website: E.x.C.L. is a shoppers paradise – well that, and a
clearinghouse that recovers tons of material from being burned or
thrown away and redistributes it for creative educational use. You
won’t believe all the amazing supplies and products we have available
every time you visit. This isn’t junk, it’s terrific materials of all
sorts.
Yep, I certainly was in paradise when we went. My first visit was definitely a learning experience. A bit overwhelming with all the materials and possibilities, especially when you aren't sure what you're going to do with all your treasure. However, I was provided with some direction as soon as I signed up to join. Currently, EXCL has a fundraising effort underway. The deal is this: members get a whole bunch of materials from the center, go home and create a birdhouse out of said materials (functional or decorative), bring your birdhouse back by 5/1 and then stop by and view and bid on a birdhouse for the fundraiser between 5/5-5/9. Oh, and you get a free visit if you donate a birdhouse.
Whereas the clock is ticking, yesterday I got started on my Oiseaux Chateau. I'll go in to more detail when I'm done with it, but here are a few pictures in progress...
Very fun and pretty close to what I pictured.
In the meantime, if you're in the Boston area, check out ExCL. You can join and become a member or if by some chance you already have too many supplies, you can make a donation : )
I'm excited for my next trip to the center. I am teaching a series of art workshops for children this summer (well, if enough kids sign up I am...) and my overall mantra is "re-use, re-cycle, re-create". I am recruiting my own children and a few of their friends to make some sample projects next week during vacation. I am also doing a week long stint as the Arts & Crafts mom at our local Y camp during Pirate week in early July.
Yep, I'm going to be a woman on a mission on my next trip to ExCL. On a mission and armed with several re-usable, oversized tote bags!
