The St. Cloud Recycled Art Project Shop (SCRAPS) encourages the creative use of refuse by providing access to supplies for art activities. Educators, students, and St. Cloud area service organizations focusing on arts are welcome to use materials from SCRAPS to supplement their educational art activities for free. All proceeds from SCRAPS sales go directly into the program for materials and activities.
Jennifer Penzkover is an Arts Commission Coordinator for the City of St. Cloud and the Founder of SCRAPS. “Originally from Wisconsin, I came to St. Cloud as an SCSU college student in the early 90s. I started with the Arts Commission shortly after graduation and started the SCRAPS program in 2005. The idea came from a friend and colleague, Cindy Hawker (retired Development Director for the Paramount Art Center). Cindy and I participated in a roundtable discussion on art education in Central MN. One of the art instructors let us know that their annual budget for art supplies was $500. This was shocking to us both - so Cindy recommended that the Arts Commission start a program similar to the one she had operated in Modesto, California. SCRAPS started in 2005 in a small room inside the Seberger Park Shelter.”
“We accept a wide variety of new and gently used art and craft materials for educational art activities. Educators, students, and creative folks of all ages are welcome to these supplies; there is no fee, but we do ask for a recommended donation of $5 per grocery bag of supplies. In 2021, when City Hall moved into the former Tech High School building, SCRAPS was able to move into a much larger room inside of City Hall with space for workshops and activities. Now, SCRAPS is open to the public every Friday from 9am - 3pm (with some closures for holidays), and one Monday a month, we offer Maker Monday programming from 5:30 - 7:30pm featuring local artists leading workshops that utilize the materials in SCRAPS.”
The St. Cloud Arts Commission is a mayor-appointed volunteer board for the City of St. Cloud. It is a catalyst for creating a community in which the arts can flourish. It does this through community programming, public art initiatives, and advising City leaders on arts matters. The SCRAPS program is a clearinghouse for art materials unique to the Central Minnesota area.
Though it’s challenging to keep up with the generous material donations and high demand for the Little Free Art Kit program, it’s all worth it. “When I am out filling the Little Free Art Kit boxes twice a week, it is a joy to see the excitement of the kids who pick up the kits. I appreciate the amazing partners, donors, volunteers, educators, kids, and artists in this community. If we can supply materials or inspiration for any part of that creativity, we have met our goal.”
“We have been extremely fortunate to have the help of a supportive board of commissioners, fantastic community volunteers who regularly contribute up to 6 hours a week preparing materials and kits for distribution, and talented student interns whose creativity has helped develop ideas and inspiration for SCRAPS projects and programming,” shared Jennifer. “SCRAPS is the result of creative and energetic people sharing great ideas that they help put into action.” SCRAPS Maker Mondays and Little Free Art Kits are made possible in part by the voters of MN through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
“We encourage everyone to visit us at City Hall when we are open on Fridays or for one of our Maker Monday events. Donations of time, funding, or materials are always welcomed and go directly to growing the program. Our website features a complete list of items we accept - so if you find yourself cleaning out a craft closet - please keep us in mind!” For updates and inspiration, you can also follow SCRAPS on Instagram and Pinterest.
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