Shop in our Creative ReUse Store, visit our Gallery, and sign up for an Art Workshop. The creative possibilities are endless!
We are accepting donations again! We hope to see you in the store soon.
Store Hours
Wednesday
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
NEW! Thursday 11:00 am to 5:00
Fri. & Sat. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Donations must be approved
by staff
prior to drop off
A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES!
Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store
Encouraging Reuse As a Way to Protect Our Environment
The Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store keeps thousands of pounds of clean, reusable material from ending up in the Santa Barbara County landfill each year. All kinds of treasures, used and new, are donated by businesses and individuals. Art From Scrap provides low cost supplies for art, theatre, costumes, and other creative projects. Inventory arrives daily. Drop by during our open hours of Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Thursday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm to see what’s new.
Creative Exploration with ReUse Materials
Thanks for voting us the Best Place to Make Art in Santa Barbara County!
Check out our full schedule of workshops here.
Crafternoons for Kids
Join us for an Art From Scrap Crafternoon, every Thursday from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Filled with hundreds of reuse materials, our workshop is sure to ignite your imagination! Cost: $8.00 per person.
Crafternoons are an open workshop for ages 5 and up.
Please note that Crafternoons are held upstairs in the AFS Workshop and will be utilizing hot glue guns. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Check our calendar to see our upcoming list of classes.
Art Workshops for Adults 
Have you ever attended an Art From Scrap workshop for kids and wished that you could join in on the fun? You can! Our Art Workshops for Adults are held on Thursday and Friday evenings. No previous art experience is necessary. Workshops include instructions, materials, and a finished project for you to take home. Check our calendar to see our upcoming list of classes. Pre-registration is required.
Art Workshops for Teachers- Coming Soon!
Learn how to create amazing art projects out of reuse materials. AFS Staff will show you how to easily turn trash into treasure in these fun workshops.
Art Teachers
Email Rachel if you are interested in teaching a workshop.
Birthday Party, Special Occasions, and Space Rental
Art From Scrap is the perfect party place for children and adults. All parties include an Art Workshop led by one of our staff members and the exclusive use of materials in the AFS CreatorLab.
To reserve a date for your party, please complete the following form at least two weeks in advance of your desired party date. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Our party coordinator will contact you within two business days.
Art From Scrap Party
How it Works
- Parties available for ages 6 and up.
- An AFS Staff Member will lead an Art Workshop during your party.
- We encourage Open Workshops so imaginations can soar! Themed Art Projects are available if requested at time of booking. Please pick only one project for your party. If you would like more than one project, please choose an Open Workshop.
- If you would like a project that isn’t on our list, we will do our best to accommodate you. The cost for a custom project is $50.
- Parties can be scheduled for Friday and Saturdays.
- Payment is due in full five days before your party.
- We encourage zero waste parties and can supply reusable plates, cups, and silverware for your enjoyment.
- Parents are not included in guest count.
- $300 for a 90 minute party for up to 15 guests. Additional guests are $20.00 each.
You Can Choose One of These AFS Projects Or An Open Workshop- please pick only one.
- Open Workshop
- Fairy, Wizard, Superhero Houses
- UFO’s, Rockets, & Other Flying Objects
- Animals, Insects, & Creatures
- Robots
- Musical Instruments
- Pirate Treasure Chests
- Crowns, Castles, and Magic Wands
Parties for Teenagers or Adults and Space Rental
The Art From Scrap Workshop is a perfect gathering place for birthdays, bridal showers, team building events, graduations, and celebrations. All parties include exclusive use of the workshop, a project, and creative guidance from an AFS Staff Member or Guest Artist.
For more information on space rental opportunities for workshops, art classes, or other facility uses, complete our reservation form, call us at 805 884-0459 x 3, or email Info@ExploreEcology.org.
Sign Up Your School Today! Our School Materials Program offers discounted materials to teachers and administrators.
Once your school signs up, all teachers receive Free Bulk Materials and a 15% discount on other items in the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store.
Save money on supplies for classroom curriculum, art classes and projects, school events, play productions, and other creative activities.
Cost:
- $1.00 per student in school
- $100 Minimum for schools under 100 students
- $500 Maximum for schools over 500 students
Please click on the button below to sign up.
Our staff will send you an invoice after you fill out the form.
Thank you!
Art From Scrap Gallery
Located above the Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store, the Art from Scrap (AFS) Gallery is a unique space dedicated to assemblage and other art forms. Open during regular store hours, the AFS Gallery surrounds our Art Workshop, providing inspiration to children and adults as they create their own works of art. Rotating shows hang throughout the year and bring together art lovers, collectors, environmentalists, and artists.
Email Rachel if you are interested if you are interested in showing your work.
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday through Saturday- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
For our upcoming exhibitions, click here.
Need project ideas?
DONATE MATERIALS TO ART FROM SCRAP
Donation Guidelines
*ALL DONATIONS*
Note: Donation Days have changed. You can now drop off materials on the first and third Tuesdays of the month between 11:00 am to 3:00 pm after your donation has been pre-approved.
*DONATIONS MUST BE APPROVED BY STAFF PRIOR TO DROP OFF*
- Please email afsreuse@exploreecology.org or call (805) 884-0459 to get your donation approved by staff.
- Donations are only being accepted on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 11:00 am-3:00 pm.
- The store is closed on donation drop off day, but our staff is at the shop and ready to accept donations!
Thank you for donating to Art From Scrap.
Why Donate?
The Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store accepts pre-approved donations of clean and safe reusable materials from businesses and individuals. Donations reduce disposal costs, keep items out of the landfill, are tax-deductible, and provide low cost art supplies to our community. Check out the list below to see what we are currently accepting. Please note: Items you have donated in the past may not always be accepted. Please check the list below or call ahead to see what we are accepting.
If you have any questions, have a large quantity of materials, or want to donate something you do not see listed, please email us at the Art From Scrap Creative ReUse Store or call 805-884-0459 x 1. Please do not leave unapproved donation items at our gate or in the parking lot.
To donate items we cannot accept, please go to: www.lessismore.org.
To request a pickup for a large amount of materials, email us.
Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone. In my spare time, I like to sleep, eat, hike, and explore nature. Did I say eat and sleep?
Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife. Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Veronica has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us. In her free time, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them. Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. 
Lydia
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Ian Docktor
MELISSA BROOKS
Lindsay Johnson