The Community Art Hub is a Makerspace
for artists and learners,
in the heart of Quadra Village.
Around the back of the Quadra Village Community Centre at 901 Kings Road
(access down the ramp/stairs from Dowler Street).
The Community Art Hub is a neighbourhood-based library of art-making tools, equipment, and supplies, and a shared workspace for artists and makers located inside the Quadra Village Community Centre. The art hub provides artists and the broader community with the option of using shared art-making equipment and supplies, instead of each household buying their own. The art hub is an innovative space that provides equitable access to tools, equipment, supplies, and workspace.
Scroll down to check out our current drop in hours and available art supplies !
December 2024
The Community Art Hub is open based on volunteer availability.
Last minute changes to the schedule are announced on our Instragram stories. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate you.
Holiday Closure
The Community Art Hub will be closed from December 22 to Jan 5th.
We will reopen January 6th with a new drop in schedule.
Happy holidays from the whole Alter Arts team.
How It Works
The Art hub offers by donation studio space for artists to drop in and work on projects. The art hub is hosted by volunteers and the hours are subject to change due to volunteer availability. Updated weekly hours will be posted here.
1Drop in Hours for the Studio Space
Drop-in anytime we're open for undirected use of the space and art supplies. Or you can join us for one of our scheduled activities.
We provide countless resources and tools to help you create your art without having to commit to buying every tool.
Our Drop in Hours change seasonally because we are run by volunteers, so stay tuned to our socials and the Art Hub web page for our current drop in hours.
2Pay by donation for access to resources
Entry grants patrons access to all our resources or just the comfort of having a cup of tea and making art together outside our homes.
All funds go towards running our space, keeping the lights on, and funding the replacement of art supplies used.
$5 for adults
$2 for kids
Entry is by donation, and no one will be turned away from the Art Hub due to lack of funds. Speak with an Art Hub volunteer on site or email us at alterartssociety@gmail.com if you have any questions or need support with accomodations.
We accept payment via cash, e-transfer to alterartssociety@gmail.com, paypal or we also have a new Square Reader in the space to process debit/credit card transactions.
3Make Art!
Come on down to the Art Hub at 901 Kings Rd (we are at the back of the building along Dowler Rd) and spend the afternoon crafting away with access to all of our art supplies.
Starting a small business? Come on down and use our tools to help bolster your production with our shared resources.
Upcoming Events and Workshops!
Stay tuned for coming season events and art making workshops we will be hosting.
Art Supplies
This is a list of activities and art supplies we have on hand in the Art Hub. This is not a complete list and we are always getting new supplies donated. If you have a question about the art supplies available please email us at alterartssociety@gmail.com
Die Cutting
Die cutting involves cuts to paper and other materials while embossing is molding the material to a specific design that dimensionally alters it.
Knitting Needles and Crochet Hooks
Wide variety of sizes and styles available.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink (or dye) onto an object, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil.
Fibre Arts
We are pleased to offer lots of fiber art supplies including crochet, embroidery looms, felt, yarn, a small collection of fabric, as well as knitting needles and sewing machines. More info on the machines below under Tools.
Sewing Supplies
For use with fabric and other lightweight materials. We also have a circle cutter.
Painting Supplies
We have a collection of paints including spray paint, house paint, acrylic paint and water paint. There is a wide range of paint brushes available as well.
We have a full size and a kids size easle.
We also have donated canvases available to use. We also have kids aprons and painting supplies for little ones.
Candle Making
We have a collection of molds on site for candle making as well as a small poratble stove top to heat wax.
BYO essential oils.
Polymer Clay
Polymer clay is a popular medium for making jewelry, beads, charms, figurines, picture frames and other handmade creations.
We also have a toaster oven on site to bake creations into a permanent sculpture.
Sealants, Mediums and Glazes
A sealer is a special type of primer designed to be used with, or in place of, a primer.
Mediums are the liquids added to paints to bind them and make them workable.
A glaze is a transparent layer of paint brushed over a dried underlayer.
Art Supplies for Table Top Games
We have the paints and brushes to work on miniatures for World of Warcraft or plane and train model replicas.
We also have the resin and molds to pour your own DND Dice!
Resin Pouring and Molds
Resin is an acrylic pouring medium for creating beautiful art on canvas or wood, that dries with a high gloss finish. It can also be poured into molds to create sculptures or 3D objects.
Drawing supplies and Pastels
We are proud to offer a large range of pens, markers, crayons, pastels, fine tip markers and more for all your drawing needs.
We also have a range of canvases and a cabinet full of paper to create with.
Caligraphy
Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument.
We have a collection of caligraphy brushes and Pantone Inks to work with.
Tools and Equipment:
Tools and equipment currently available for use at the Community Art Hub
Cricut Maker and accessories
A precision digital cutting machine.
3D Printer with Laser Engraving, and CNC Carving
Snapmaker Original 3D Printer with laser engraving and CNC carving functions. Come by to print with PLA in one of five colours, or join one of our introductory workshops to learn how it works.
Button Maker (2.25" / 58mm)
Button parts and a circle cutter are also available for use on site, by donation.
Recommended size of clearance around the design to cut:
For 2 1/4” cut a circle: 2 5/8”
Serger
Standard overlock machine (Brother Lock 1134D). Black and white thread available.
Air Brush
Small airbrush setup.
Paper Cutter
Medium sized paper cutter.
Laminator
Quickly and easily laminate paper, cardstock, or photos up to 8.5 x 11.
24" Laminator
This GBC 4250 laminator can protect documents, photographs, banners, and posters up to 24" on their shortest side.
Sewing Machine
Assorted thread and accessories available. 2.4" easy view touch screen LCD display, reinforcement stitch button to automatically sew a tie-off stitch and to easily rew a row of decorative stitches. 8.3" from needle to arm. Automatic thread cutter cuts the upper and lower thread.
Embroidery Machine
Brother NQ1700E Embroidery Machine with a maximum hoop size of 6" x 10" embroidery area with a sizeable 8.3" from needle to arm that helps you tackle big projects.
Click here to access our Information and Resource Guide for the Embroidery Machine
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lci3z3ZeF3Mo8QNA0gi2ZQLNWkqIeNjo-1cSLAP72Pk/edit?usp=sharing
Iron and Ironing Board
We have everything you need to get started sewing on site.
6' Baker Scaffold (rent for offsite use)
6' baker scaffold available to use on site, or rent for use off-site. Great for painting single storey murals. Much more comfortable than working on a ladder.
Jigsaw
Hammer, vice grips, clamps, scraper, tin snips, pruning shears, soldering iron, and more.
Hand Tools
Hammer, vice grips, clamps, scraper, tin snips, pruning shears, soldering iron, and more.
Cutting Mat and Rotary Cutter
Hammer, vice grips, clamps, scraper, tin snips, pruning shears, soldering iron, and more.
Photography Accessories
Bring your phone or camera, and use our tripods, lights, reflectors, and light box to create product shots or vlog.
Wish List
Do you have art-making tools, equipment, or supplies that you're no longer using?
Free up some space in your home by donating it to the Art Hub for the whole community to use!
Please email us at alterartssociety@gmail.com if you have any questions about donating art supplies.
Multi-purpose
Needle Nose pliers
Staple Gun
Paint brushes, palette knives, etc
Easels
Pencils, pencil crayons, charcoal, pastels, chalk, watercolour pencils, markers, etc.
Art resin
Fibre Arts
Table-top loom
Table-top spinning wheel
Knitting needles and crochet hooks
Fabric dye
Yarn, felt, macrame cord, and other materials for fibre arts
Sewing and Embroidery
Industrial sewing machine
Embroidery machine
Embroidery hoops
Embroidery cloth and thread
Thread, needles, notions, and other accessories
Sewing scissors & rotary cutters
Needle felting tools
Storage and Furnishings
Water dispenser or jug (eg. Brita)
Storage containers for small items like beads, embroidery thread, and other notions.
Shelving
Metalwork
Small forge
Anvil
Soldering iron
Vices
Small torch
Blacksmith's hammer
Leather apron and gloves
Jewelery making tools and materials (findings, pliers, etc)
Aluminium craft wire and other types of wire
Woodworking
Drill
Router
Vices
Clamps
Chisels
Wood burning tool (coming soon!)
Etching and carving tools
Painting
Gesso
Canvas stretcher
Mat cutter (coming soon!)
Frames
Oil, acrylic, and watercolour paints
Brushes and palette knives
Sticker and Button Making
1.5" Button maker and button parts
Dies for manual die cutting machine
Vinyl and other materials for cutting machine
Screen Printing
Heat press
Screens
Screen printing cloth
Screen printing emulsion
Screen printing inks
Squeegees
Children's Area
Chalk
Washable markers
Paper
Washable paint
Paint smocks
Thank you to our Sponsors:
We are grateful for the support of our partners in this project, including:
Quadra Village Community Centre
Kindle Arts Society
Cultural Infrastructure Grant Program
Alter Arts Society is a registered non-profit organization and community initiative by and for artists located on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən people.
Those of us who are uninvited visitors to these territories, respectfully seek opportunities to unlearn oppressive, colonial practices that we have benefited from, and to follow the lead of the Indigenous stewards of these lands. We are committed to questioning existing power structures, supporting the decolonization of our society and institutions, and supporting Indigenous self-determination.
Brought to you by Alter Arts Society.
Contact our Board of Directors
© 2024