The Scrap Exchange Opens August 16 in New Lakewood Location

Tomorrow a local Durham business with a dedicated following of craft and creative artists will have a new home.

On August 16, Durham's Scrap Exchange will open its doors for the first time in its 23-year history in its own space. The nonprofit creative reuse arts center will make its new home in a 23,000 square foot facility at 2050 Chapel Hill Road. The site is a standalone mid-century modern building in the Shoppes at Lakewood shopping center. The Scrap Exchange bought the former Cinema Theater and Duke Surplus building in December, 2013, and is now ready to permanently move in and call it home. Over the past two decades, the organization has operated in subsidized or leased space throughout Durham including Northgate Mall, Liberty Warehouse and Cordoba Center for the Arts.

The purchase is a significant milestone in the nonprofit’s history. The Scrap Exchange was founded in 1991 with a mission to promote creativity, environmental awareness and community through reuse. Since then, the organization has grown into a Durham institution and national model for creative reuse. In 2013, the center diverted 70 tons of usable materials from the landfills, stewarded 5320 hours of volunteer service, managed 427 creative reuse program activities, and served over 150,000 people through its retail store and programming.

Learn more about Durham's art scene online and all of the kid and craft things to do here.

Third Friday Art Walk At Golden Belt May 17

It's not every day that visitors can attend an art walk that includes listening to a spoken word poetry show in a creative reuse center with filmmakers of an upcoming documentary. But in Durham, this is just a normal third Friday event.

Third Friday Durham is a monthly art walk and this month's offerings on May 17 from 6-9 pm at the Golden Belt Arts complex have much to offer.

Third Friday at The Scrap Exchange
The Scrap Exchange along with the filmmakers of the upcoming documentary film "Truth Underground" will be presenting "Friends and Family" a Green Gallery show in support of the spoken word poetry film. The event will take place in Durham, at The Scrap Exchange. Poets from the spoken word poetry team, The Sacrificial Poets, along with local student poets from Durham-Chapel Hill and Carrboro city schools will be presenting.

Read more about the film on the Southern Documentary Funds website and about the filmmaker's fundraising efforts on the Clarion Content's website.

Third Friday at Liberty Arts
Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio & Foundry will host a gallery show, "“Mighty Fresh.” Visitors can see live demos, stroll through the gallery, meet the artists and sidle up to the newly "scavenged" bar.

Liberty Arts is a collaborative nonprofit arts community that reflects the dynamic and diverse personality of Durham, NC. Liberty Arts believes in community outreach and encourages visionary thinking.

Visit the Durham Events Calendar for more unique things to do in Durham.

Brew Durham Homebrew Festival Saturday May 4

April is NC Beer Month.  In truth, it's always beer month in Durham with its three breweries and great community of interested and engaged consumers - many of whom home brew.


Just after Beer Month ends, Durham will host it's fourth annual home brewing festival the first weekend in May.

What: Brew Durham 4 Homebrew Festival featuring 50 home brewed beers from area brewers and a selection of small bites from local restaurants

When: Saturday, May 4
Session 1: 1:00-4:00 pm
Session 2: 5:00-8:00 pm

Where: Cordoba Center for the Arts 923 Franklin St., Durham

Tickets: Purchase in advance at brewdurham4.eventbrite.com
Tasting Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
Designated Driver Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Proceeds Benefit: The Scrap Exchange


Brew Durham is a beer festival that celebrates the art and craft of making home brewed beer. This event was started in 2011 by local home brewer Keil Jansen as a fundraiser to benefit The Scrap Exchange. Home brewers naturally embody a DIY and creative spirit that is also a hallmark of The Scrap Exchange mission, and the festival easily blossomed into an annual event.

The festival takes place on Belt Line Station, an old train platform that has been converted to a unique outdoor event space at The Cordoba Center for the Arts in Durham. Attendees will be invited to taste 50 types of beer crafted by 25 of the Triangle’s finest home brewers.  As an added bonus, Bull City Burger and Brewery will unveil a special brew created just for this event!

Brew Durham 4 also includes a new tasty treat for ticket holders – food served by local restaurants prepared with local ingredients! Six downtown Durham restaurants have teamed up with The Scrap Exchange and brewers to provide a delicious sampling of small bite appetizers prepared specifically to accompany the home brew during the festival. Participating restaurants include:  Monuts Donuts, Toast, Geer Street Garden, Dos Perros, Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Loaf. As an additional home-grown element to the festival, restaurants will be using pastured-raised pork and organic North Carolina veggies donated for the event by Farmhand Foods, and Eastern Carolina Organics (ECO).

Brew Durham 4 will include two tasting sessions:
Session 1 runs from 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Session 2 runs from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Advance tickets cost $35 per session, and can be purchased online at brewdurham4.eventbrite.com. Want to attend the event with friends or family as a designated driver? Advance tickets for designated drivers (no alcohol) are available for $15. Small-bite appetizers are available during the event for all ticket-holders. (Be sure to buy your tickets in advance!  Tickets at the door will cost $40 for beer tasting tickets, or $20 for designated driver tickets.) Proof of age is required for entry to the event.  For more information on Brew Durham 4, contact Jessica Moore at 919-213-1278.

For more information on events in Durham, visit www.durhameventcalendar.com.

Ladies' Arm Wrestling Charity Fundraiser Supports Art Programming

Lewd women are usually not talked about in polite company.  In Durham, it's encouraged. LUEWWD women, that is.

The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham (LUEWWD - pronounced “lewd”) is teaming up with Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange Saturday, April 20th for LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength, a ladies arm-wrestling charity fundraiser to provide scholarship funds for women and girls interested in taking select courses at either organization.

The LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength event will take place at 7:30 PM on April 20, 2013 at Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio, 923 Franklin St. Durham, NC 27701. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. You can also purchase ringside tickets in advance for $25 by contacting luewwd@gmail.com.  All proceeds will benefit Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange. Food Trucks and beverages will be available (Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Liv’s).

Representatives from Liberty Arts and the Scrap Exchange want to expand art programming to reach girls and women who may have an interest in such skills like welding, glass blowing, or sculpture. Such resource intensive classes can be expensive and cost-prohibitive for many and the two organizations were looking for a way to broaden opportunity. That’s when Mike Lupa, an artist with Liberty Arts contacted LUEWWD.

Lupa had attended women’s arm wrestling fundraisers in upstate New York and knew that there were several leagues across the country, one of which was right here in Durham.  LUEWWD uses theatrical arm wrestling as a means of raising funds for projects and initiatives that benefit women and girls in the Durham community.  Lupa contacted LUEWWD organizers and submitted an application to become LUEWWD’s next beneficiary along with the Scrap Exchange. The application was accepted in October of last year and the three organizations (Liberty Arts, Scrap Exchange, and LUEWWD) have been planning this unique event since then.

Unlike previous LUEWWD events, this one will take place outside behind Liberty Arts in a space donated by the Cordoba Center for the Arts. This change in venue is an exciting one for the LUEWWD organizers and they are thankful for the support from local sponsors to make this event happen.

The April 20th event LUEWWD VIII: Industrial Strength will feature 8 new wrestlers such as Pippi Strongstockings, Betty Rumble, and Alotta Doe. The doors will open at 7:30 for pre-game activities featuring 2 food trucks (Chirba Chirba Dumpling and Liv’s) cornhole, and beverages. The event is sponsored by The Boston Beer Company - Twisted Tea, Cordoba Center for the Arts, ReUse Warehouse, Morgan Imports,  The Casbah, Phunco, and MAYDNEW DJ & Event Planning.

For more information about LUEWWD: www.luewwd.com
For more information about the Scrap Exchange: www.scrapexchange.org
For more information about Liberty Arts: www.liberty-arts.org

About Liberty Arts
Liberty Arts is a nonprofit arts community whose collaborative practice reflects the dynamic personality of Durham, North Carolina. Our mission is to expand access to three-dimensional art and share the skills required to make it.  All are welcome to take part through hands-on classes, public events, mentorships, and commissions.

About the Scrap Exchange
The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit creative reuse arts center in Durham, North Carolina whose mission is to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.

For more information on the arts in Durham, click here.

Durham Storefront Project Brings Art to Downtown

Durham is a creative and innovative place where diverse and passionate people come together to shape a better community. This sentiment is clearly apparent through Durham’s expression of community through the arts as exemplified by the Durham Storefront Project.

Center Studio Architecture Storefront

The Durham Storefront Project is a collection of 14 art installations in the windows of historic buildings throughout downtown. Each installation features the work of a local artist in collaboration with business and property owners.

Started in late 2010, the Durham Storefront Project evolved out of a desire to increase the vibrancy in Downtown Durham while connecting artists and businesses in a meaningful and collaborative way. The Project is made up of an independent group of artists and art enthusiasts. The Durham Storefront Project has also enlisted the support of two arts organizations at the core of the Bull City's thriving arts scene: The Scrap Exchange and the Durham Arts Council.

The Durham Storefront Project opened during the Durham Art Walk Holiday Market and will remain up through January 2012. To explore the full line-up of artists and locations or download tour information, visit the Durham Storefront's website.

Fun Times with the Kids in the Bull City

Durham has a lot to offer those that live, work and visit here.  It is a town with incredible diversity in population, cuisine, and activity, and there are many ways to enjoy the place where great things happen.

Here is a list of some of the options for those visiting Durham with children tow.  Durham's official visitor website has all the information available on things to do for all types of visitor.  Be sure to visit the site as plans to come to Durham take shape.

So, on to the specifics...

Free family activities

Durham Farmers’ Market – Located in Durham Central Park, the Market offers "The Durham Home Fries" a weekly kids-only cooking series throughout the summer.

Music on the Lawn – Hosted by American Tobacco, this family friendly music series runs throughout the summer and features some of music’s most beloved Back Porch Music acts.

Third Friday Art Walk – Free gallery crawl with live music and other performances throughout Durham the third Friday of each month.

Movies in the Park – Durham Central Park hosts a free outdoors, summer film series; the screen hangs from the Farmers’ Market Pavilion. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Shows start at dark. 

Summer activities for families:

Lemur Center - Research and study center housing 260 prosimian primates, the largest population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar. Guided walking tour & inside viewing of nocturnal prosimians with unique sound experience by appointment only.

Museum of Life & Science - Preserved natural setting home to black bears, red wolves, and lemurs. Natural observation areas, 750-foot boardwalk, outdoor microscopes, and field cameras look into this dynamic natural landscape, its wildlife, plant life, and supporting habitats. Included with admission to the Museum of Life and Science.

Wheel’s Family Fun Park - 8 1/2 acre park full of family fun. Attractions include roller skating, go-karts, mini-golf, play gym, batting cages and more.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park - The Durham Bulls are the Triple-A Baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The team plays 144 games per season, 72 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, overlooking historic Downtown Durham and designed by the architects of Camden Yards.

The Scrap Exchange - Among the Scrap Exchange's offerings are kid-friendly workshops and parties. The creative reuse center promotes creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.

Favorite family parks:

Rock Quarry Park – Home to three picnic facilities, a playground, a large rec center, soccer fields, a spray ground, eight tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Durham Central Park – Arts-themed, community-focused, municipal park in downtown Durham.

West Point on the Eno – Located along the Eno River, the park features a reconstructed 1778 working grist mill with cornmeal for sale, the historic McCown-Mangum House dating to the mid-1800s, the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, hiking trails, and amphitheater.

Eno River State Park – Enjoy bird-watching, canoeing/rafting, fishing, hiking, and picnic shelters within 3,900 acres of secluded wilderness along the banks of the Eno River.

American Tobacco Trail - 12 miles of trails from Downtown Durham to NC Hwy 54, then from Massey Chapel Rd to Durham/Chatham County line - perfect for bicycling, hiking, walking, and running.

Duke Forrest - 7,060-acre teaching and research forest of Duke University with a variety of ecosystems represented. Preserved for research and recreation since the 1930s. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnics permitted.

City Parks and State Parks - Durham boasts more than 60 city parks and state parks.

For additional information, see the Community Event Calendar for a list of all upcoming family-friendly events in the place where great things happen.

Arts Community Rallies to Save The Scrap Exchange

The Durham community is rallying around two Durham nonprofit art institutions; The Scrap Exchange and the Liberty Arts Foundry. The organizations, along with many artists and businesses have been displaced from their Liberty Warehouse location due to the heavy rains that fell May 14, a partial roof collapse, and the subsequent condemning of the building.

In an effort to help the nonprofits secure a new location, offset any costs lost in relocation and help in reopening as soon as possible, the local music community will be putting on a day-long benefit show: Save the Scrap at Casbah on Saturday, June 4 from 1pm-1am.

Save the Scrap will feature (at least) 10 hours of music by 10+ bands for 10 bucks. All of the money will go towards the Scrap Exchangeʼs Capital Campaign and Liberty Arts Foundry relocation. Benefit organizers have received an outpouring of support from local venue owners and area musicians representing all genres of music; the following are just a few of the performers:

Rainbow Nerd, Durham Ukulele Orchestra, The Pnuerotics, Midtown Dickens, Mary Johnson Rockers, Phil Cook & His Feat, LiLa, Hindugrass, Sara Bell, JKuchma and Thee Dirtybeats

Additionally, Casbah will be hosting an Artist Market featuring the work of local artists, artisans and friends of the Liberty Warehouse tenants. The Scrap Exchange will be on site with a hands-on make and take, silk screening Save the Scrap on apparel provided by attendees. Attendees are encouraged to bring an extra shirt!

Both The Scrap Exchange and Liberty Arts Inc will be relocating to a permanent location in the mill behind Golden Belt, at 923 Franklin Street. The Scrap Exchange plans to reopen the same day as the event, during itʼs regular store hours 10-4.

Save the Scrap organizers are calling out to all of those who vowed to support “the myriad of places we have all come to love... and to support Durhamʼs nonprofits” in last monthʼs massive show of community engagement, Marry Durham.

The Scrap Exchange Honored for Green Mission

Have you stopped into The Scrap Exchange lately? Next time you do, tell them congratulations on their recent Green Plus Sustainable Non-Profit of the Year award. Given by Green Plus, the North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards recognize excellence in triple bottom line sustainability. Businesses are chosen for the example they set in balancing business, community, and environmental best practices, for their innovation in sustainability and their efforts to teach their communities and their peers about the topic.

It’s no wonder The Scrap Exchange won with a mission of promoting creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse. That sounds a lot like the core values of Durham as a city; seems like Durham and The Scrap Exchange are a perfect fit!

In addition to The Scrap Exchange's recent win, MindWorks Multimedia earned Green Plus Certification, bringing the total number of businesses in Durham Green Plus Certified to nine.



Gettin' Hitched?

Have you changed your Facebook status to engaged or discussed your “wedding plans” on Durham’s Facebook page? Have you printed out a poster declaring what “Durham Is” to you? If you can answer yes to these questions, you’re probably looking forward to the Marry Durham event on March 19.

Click to Download "Durham Is"

Hundreds are expected to Marry Durham on Rigsbee Avenue near Motorco Music Hall and Fullsteam Brewery. The 4pm-7pm mass wedding, parade, and reception includes performances by The Beast, Grammy-award winning Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes, Corn & the Colonels, and many more.

On Valentine’s Day the Durham County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March 19 as “Marry Durham Day.” The proclamation points out that Durham has received a variety of national accolades recently including: Home to the Creative Class, Foodiest Small Town, Best Place to Retire, Best Place to Visit, Best Green City, and Best Place to Start a Business. The proclamation urged “participants to repeat vows that promise to honor and cherish their beloved Durham by supporting the arts, patronizing local businesses, electing responsible leaders, and keeping the community safe.”

The lighthearted event is intended to give proud citizens an opportunity to celebrate their unique community. Marry Durham is also a fundraiser for five nonprofits, including: Eno River Association, Genesis Home, Latino Community Development Center, The Scrap Exchange and Walltown Children’s Theatre.

Durham Companies Recognized

In 2010, Durham’s The King’s Daughters Inn was recognized as Green Plus’ Sustainable Enterprise of the Year in the national contest recognizing organizations for the examples they set in advancing triple bottom line sustainability. Can Durham claim the winning company two years in a row? It is possible with Durham's Counter Culture Coffee as a finalist for the 2011 award.

Also up for awards this year are Bull City Forward and The Scrap Exchange in the Green Plus Non-Profit or Social Enterprise of the Year category. Winners will be announced February 25 at the North Carolina Research Triangle Park Foundation headquarters in Durham.

In addition to these Green Plus finalists, Durham’s Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club was awarded the 2010 Model Diversity Campaign Award given by the United Way of the Greater Triangle. This award is given to a company that best effectively addresses the company’s diverse employee population.

These recognitions are just one more indication that Durham is home to an innovative and entrepreneurial community of businesses and citizens.

The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau was the first organization of its type in the nation to be certified Green Plus and just the second in Durham.