Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: The Pay What You Can signage for Matthews Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up. Photo Credit: Sam Matthews.
Sam Matthews: Championing Sustainability Through Art
By Guest Writer, Dan Bauer
Bringing her Pop-Up “Pay-What-You-Can” Art Supply Thrift Shop to West Windsor Arts Center on Saturday, August 3
Sam Matthews, the creative force behind Propagate Studio in Stewartsville, NJ, is on a mission: a mission to give gently used art supplies a second life. Through the innovative Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up, Matthews and her team divert tons of items from landfills, offering them to the community on a “pay what you can” basis. It’s a refreshing twist on the traditional thrift store experience, one designed specifically for artists.
On Saturday, August 3, starting at 10am, Matthews will bring her Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up to West Windsor Arts Center. Registration is required. For a nominal entrance fee of $5, attendees can unleash their creativity and explore a vast selection of art materials donated by creatives in the community. Imagine wandering through a treasure trove of artistic possibilities, much like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but for art enthusiasts.
Pictured Above: Sam Matthews. Photo Credit: Sam Anderson.
“Our guiding principle is ‘More Art, Less Trash’. We aim to make art accessible to everyone while promoting sustainability. By repurposing these supplies, we not only prevent waste but also spark creativity, and provide affordable materials for talented individuals of all levels,” shares Matthews.
When Matthews opened her business, she had a pre-loved art supply section where items were priced very low. However, after a friend told her about a creative reuse center in the Midwest, she adopted a “pay what you can” model, and that’s when things started to take off.
The pop-up shop offers a wide selection of new and lightly used arts supplies: yarn, colored pencils, crayons (new or slightly used), acrylic, oil and watercolor paints, new and gently used paint brushes, scissors, beads, and beading tools, frames, photography equipment, stained glass equipment, pottery equipment, and much more. All items in the Art Supply Thrift Shop have been inspected, cleaned, and quality-tested to ensure customer satisfaction.
Pictured Above: Sam Mathews studio. Photo Credit: Sam Matthews.
Matthews was introduced to Aylin Green, the Executive Director of West Windsor Arts, through her friend Maggie from Maggie May Craft who was a crochet instructor at the arts center. “I love shopping at these kinds of markets,” states Green. “The Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up encourages artists to experiment with new mediums and materials without breaking the bank. It truly embodies the saying, ‘One person’s waste is another’s treasure.’”
Matthews emphasizes the importance of diverting valuable resources from the trash and into the hands of creators. “Our goal is to inspire a mindset where waste is viewed as a creative opportunity, fostering a culture of sustainability within the artistic community.”
“It is a win, win, win, situation: a win for the environment by keeping them out of the landfill, a win for the person buying the item because it is affordable, and a win for the person donating because they know they are supporting the environment, creatives, and our mission.”
Matthews’ upbringing in Phillipsburg, NJ, was deeply influenced by recycling, frugality, and creativity. She grew up in a split family where she had access to creative outlets at every age, from having a drawing easel in her bedroom to having a studio room and taking creative classes outside of school. She attended Gordon College in Wenham, MA, graduating with a BA in fine art in 2015. Her experience in art school, where she used anything she could find to fuel her creativity, inspired her to offer a space like Propagate Studio to any one regardless of age, background, and skill set.
“Spaces like Propagate Studio and the West Windsor Arts Center are important for creatives and the community because we are a safe place for people to be their truest selves and express themselves. It’s no secret that we are living through harsh times but spaces like ours can be a place to be re-inspired and empowered to share love and joy to everyone around us through sharing our creativity,” Matthews emphasizes.
“At Propagate Studio, we value respect for one another, our planet, and ourselves,” she adds. “We strive to create a space where everyone feels inspired, encouraged, and filled with joy through art and sustainability.”
To register for the Art Supply Thrift Shop, visit:
https://westwindsorarts.org/event/art-supply-thrift-shop-pop-up-sale/
