July Crafty Action Society

It's time to get crafty!

Grab your friends for an evening of craftacular fun! Join us in crafting with the Art+Action Lab, CVA's high school internship program where artistic teens get an inside look at creative careers, learning how they operate, building relevant skills ,and connecting to a community of creative professionals.

This summer's internship will focus on fashion, how to create it sustainably and how people use fashion as an expression of identity. In this month's Crafty Action Society we'll focus on fashion with visible mending. Visible mending is a creative approach to repairing clothing and bags with stitches, patches, and repairs intentionally left on display. It's where the repair becomes a decoration and each stitch is a glorious sign of who you are, what you love and where your clothes have been.

You will need to bring an article of clothing, or choose something from our selection of previously loved clothes, and prepare a message. The message is yours to decide, we will provide know-how and materials to guide you in extending the life of your clothing AND making them feel more like you. Don't have an item that needs repair? Bring one that needs a new docration or embellishment, we've got the materials to give it new life.

Use your art and craft skills to address social justice issues. With Crafty Action Society you will:

• Craft in community
• Connect with local orgs activating their efforts toward social justice
• Learn from artists already creating for activism
• Gain access to art + craft materials
• Develop new techniques

Crafty Action Society is a way to bring people together to learn from local organizations working for social change and to become craftivists who use creative expression to cultivate awareness and spread their message. This monthly series will meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Each session will start with a presentation from a local organization about how your creativity can help their cause.⁠ After that, we'll bring out the craft supplies and get to work creating. We’ll explore techniques from quilting and embroidery to stenciling, collage, and papier-mâché ensuring activities are accessible to beginners and more advanced makers alike. Materials, snacks, and beverages provided.

With this program, we are raising money for the organization that we are hosting and our own teen internship program. But no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $10 - $40 which will also cover supplies, snacks, and the assistance of our teaching staff.

The Center for Visual Art is MSU Denver’s off-campus art center located at 10th and Santa Fe Drive. We present year-round exhibitions that encapsulate the power of art and its ability to spark dialogue and create pathways to change. Whether giving voice to local artists or those with international reach, CVA’s exhibitions address complex social issues in a visual language unlike any other form of communication.

Aug 19: Crafty Action Society with Women’s Bean Project

Sept 16: Crafty Action Society with ReCreative

Oct 21: Crafty Action Society with Birdseed Collective

Nov 18: Crafty Action Society with Interfaith Alliance

Jan 20: Crafty Action Society with Sun Valley Kitchen