UpCycle Creative Reuse Center

UpCycle Creative Reuse Center

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To inspire all people to explore and create by engaging our community in art-making experiences with reuse materials.

Creative reuse is the process of taking used or recyclable materials and turning them into works of art, home decoration, or other useful objects. At UpCycle, we rethink our notion of waste, collecting cast-offs from our community to serve as creative art materials. We collect, organize and prep items for use in a variety of creative capacities.

06/12/2026

Happy June, everyone! We've got two incredible adult workshops coming up in a few weeks, so make sure to reserve your spot!

On Sunday the 28th, we'll spend the afternoon embellishing old clothes and making DIY patches using the hot glue method. Whether you're covering up an old logo to give a piece new life, adding some flair to a more understated piece, or creating custom patches you can add to anything later, upcycling is the best way to extend the life of your clothing and keep it from the landfill!

On Tuesday the 30th, we'll be crafting the evening away with local artist Ashley from , learning how to make statement wire earrings. Ashley will teach participants some basic wire bending and shaping techniques to create a pair of modern statement earrings inspired by organic curves, spirals, and abstract forms. This beginner-friendly class covers tools, forming techniques, finishing details, and ear wire assembly while encouraging creativity and personal style. Join us to turn wire into a beautiful set of custom earrings!

Reserve your spot in these classes and check out our July and August offerings here: https://www.upcyclecrc.org/adult-programs.html

Photos from UpCycle Creative Reuse Center's post 06/02/2026

Fun finds from around the shop:

Spooky eye string lights
Gym floor edging
Paper mache masks
Candles (great wax for melting into new candles!)
Silhouette vinyl rolls and heat transfer material (12”x30’ rolls)
Nat Geo Pottery Wheel Kit
Zirobio coffee lead and pencil sets
Water powered rocket kit
Drawing pads and canvases - brand new!
And lots of restocked yarn and fabric

06/01/2026

Help us create an outdoor oasis for our campers and community! We are looking for donations of the following:

Picnic table w/benches
Patio umbrellas
Large planters
Soil
Plants that love sun

Pre-loved items are great!

Email [email protected] to organize drop off or pickup

05/29/2026

Looking for a way to contribute to your community? Want to get a look at the awesome items coming into UpCycle before anyone else? Come volunteer with us! We are holding several volunteer training sessions over the next couple of weeks. Signup for one at the link below and join our growing crew of UpCycle volunteers!

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0F4EA5AE23AAFBC16-64275646-volunteer?useFullSite=false

Photos from UpCycle Creative Reuse Center's post 05/27/2026

Fun Finds From Around the Shop

Reel to reel audio tape
VHS and cassette tapes
Mylar in silver and pink
Vision board kit
Glass Cube Art kit
Comic Book kit
Large frames
Maps
Scrapbook paper shelves

05/24/2026

Happy holiday weekend, everyone! There are still tickets available for next weekend's Adult Workshop: Torn Paper Blooms - Sunday May 31 from 1-3pm

In this laid-back Sunday afternoon workshop, celebrate May flowers by creating a beautiful piece of floral art! We'll turn pre-loved canvases into works of art that make the walls bloom, using paper scraps, painting, and multimedia collage. First, choose your favorite flower (or flowers!). Local artist Nerissa Alford will guide you through sketching and mapping out your chosen floral arrangement, and then we'll get to decorating — no painting or collaging experience needed, just a love of beautiful things and rescued materials. Join us for a crafty afternoon of multimedia creation that celebrates spring in all its blooms!

Reserve your spot here: https://www.upcyclecrc.org/adult-programs.html

05/23/2026

We are getting so excited to kick off the incredible summer of artmaking camps we have planned! Each week has a fun theme and a whole host of fun and unique upcycling projects lined up, but we have a few weeks we still need staff for. If you have art teaching experience and are interested in teaching a few weeks of elementary school camps, please send your resume to [email protected].

More information about the camp dates and descriptions can be found here: https://www.upcyclecrc.org/camps.html

Photos from UpCycle Creative Reuse Center's post 05/22/2026

Our first Sewing Machine 101 class was this Wednesday! A brave group of new sewists learned all about the different parts of the machine, explored the unique features of our collection of donated machines, and got stitching! This class is a great primer for all who are interested in sewing but feel intimidated by sewing machines, and provides a fun, low-stress environment for people to play around with the machines and start feeling comfortable and confident using them. We will be offering more project-based sewing classes in the future, so make sure to take this class first so you'll be ready to tackle all the projects you're excited about!

Next Sewing Machine 101 class: Thursday, June 25th from 7-9pm. Reserve your spot here: https://book.squareup.com/classes/z1q3za0r6i7ghh/location/8N218FSCK6240/classDetails/clssch_mv1o2mb63veb1o?dateStart=1782428400

Photos from UpCycle Creative Reuse Center's post 05/21/2026

Fun Finds Around the Shop:

Come stop by the shop and check out all the fun stuff we've gotten in recently! We've got a rock tumbler, some great canvases, tons of oven bake clay, a Cricut, and so much more. Stop in to the materials center at 2397 S. Dove St. today and tomorrow from 12-6pm, or this weekend from 10am-4pm!

05/20/2026

Our second Parents Night Out is next Friday! We had an amazing time in April hosting this event - we Tinkered, played with Legos, ate pizza, and watched movies to our hearts' content! We are so excited to be back hosting this event again, so if you've been looking for a night off, come drop your kids off at UpCycle next Friday, May 29th from 5:30-8:30pm. While you enjoy a well-deserved evening to yourself, we will have a fun night in filled with crafting, legos, movies, and pizza!

Ages 4-10 (must be potty-trained). Tickets are $35 for 1 kid, $60 for 2, and $85 for 3.

Reserve your spot today here: https://www.upcyclecrc.org/parents-night-out.html

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Telephone

Address


2397 S Dove Street
Alexandria, VA
22314

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 6pm
Thursday 12pm - 6pm
Friday 12pm - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm