Weeks before 414 Art Revival opened, it was hard to walk through it – piles of cardboard boxes formed mountains in every nook and cranny. In those boxes? Masses of community-donated arts and crafts supplies, teeming with the possibility of new life.
Just about every artist or recreational crafter has, unintentionally, created leftover waste. Whether they’re remnants from a finished project, materials for an unrealized piece, or something overbought, 414 Art Revival – a new secondhand crafts store – will rehouse these remains. In “thrift shop” fashion, the store accepts donations of new and used materials to sell at discounted prices.
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A spiral paintbrush logo stamped across its socials represents this self-proclaimed “ethos” of reduce, reuse, recycle. But beyond sustainability, its owners seek to create low-cost options that reduce financial barriers to creativity.
“If you’re doing art as your career, it can be difficult to afford all of these things, even if you’re reinvesting in yourself in that way,” says co-owner Julianna Jackson. “And if you’re doing it just as a hobby, then it can be hard to make the decision of spending money if you’re just doing it here and there, when you still need to afford groceries.”
When Jackson and co-owner Nate Carpenter moved to Milwaukee from St. Louis two years ago, the couple saw a chance to locally mend the ever-present problem of affordability in the arts world. They drew inspiration from Jackson’s artist mother, who owns a St. Louis-area shop with the same concept. After a quick Google search rendered no Milwaukee-based results – the closest similar store is in Sheboygan – the couple dreamt up 414 Art Revival.
“It’s wonderful that other stores like us exist, but most of them are a long drive away, and it’s a lot of hauling back-and-forth, especially if you’re emptying your basement of crafts,” Jackson says. “People want to be part of it, so we want to create that space in Milwaukee where they can regularly look to.”
After posting an Instagram Reel introducing the business, the couple received an immediate outpour of support. They amassed 6,000 followers and droves of encouraging DMs in two months’ time. And when they opened their doors for donations and volunteers, locals sprang into action.
“It’s surprised me how generous people have been, but I think people are willing to be so proactive about this because they want it in this community,” Jackson says. “People want to volunteer to see it open. Other people have been invested in it online, and they come in with that creativity oozing out of them.”
A nearby school donated excess supplies. Blick Art Materials gave decommissioned displays. A woman dropped off over 40 boxes of stamps. Even the Brewers got involved, inviting 414 Art Revival to vend at its Noche de Cerveceros celebration on July 17. As for local arts-centered businesses, many have reached out via DMs to request future collaborations on markets and classes, which Jackson and Carpenter are “totally excited for.”
Aside from selling supplies, the couple envisions 414 Art Revival as a gathering place for Milwaukee’s creative community. Plans include craft classes led by local artists, an “artist of the month” spotlight and a gallery showcasing Milwaukee-made work.
“A lot of community creativity is in gatherings and networking artists, so we want this to be an events center,” Carpenter says. “This is like a landing space for people where they can say, ‘Okay, I can take a class there, or I can host a class there,’ and ‘Let’s see what events they have coming up.’”
In other words, Jackson calls it a “haven.” People hosting or attending classes, sharing projects and connecting with others bolsters the store’s role as a source of inspiration.
“It can be intimidating to think that you have to find a space to create and fund the whole thing, not even knowing if it’s going to work,” Carpenter says. “We’re here as a support system because we have a platform to post you on, promote your stuff on and get people in your class, so you don’t have to be concerned about people not being interested. We’re just the mechanics behind it to facilitate it.”
The support for local artistry doesn’t stop at professionals. Jackson and Carpenter want the space to represent the entire spectrum of Cream City creativity, including beginners.
“I hope that people leave with the feeling that art is for everyone. People say, ‘Well, I can’t draw,’ or whatever medium it is, but there’s so many different kinds of art,” Jackson says. “You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it. It’s not a competition. It’s about community and connecting and expressing yourself.”
Depending on an artist’s needs, 414 Art Revival can be a financially freeing one-stop shop, or simply a place to grab some extra paper. And if a project doesn’t work out, one can always re-donate materials to the store – they’ll take it back with open arms.
The store held an opening celebration on July 30 at its storefront (8004 W. National Ave., West Allis). Check its Instagram or website for more information and updates on store hours.
