Denver, CO

Art supplies — and creativity — never run out at this Denver store

Published

10 months ago

January 20, 2025

Art supplies — and creativity — never run out at this Denver store

Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems.)

When I was a boy, my sister and I used to beg my mom to buy us new art and classroom supplies before each school year.

New college-ruled notebooks, cartons of pens and pencils, crayons and markers. We would grab it all. Then, at the end of each school year, my mom would pack up what we didn’t use and stick it in the garage. It tended to be most of the supplies we had asked for before classes started.

What was our obsession with new? Nowadays, I’m aware that there are closets and drawers across America full of not just school supplies, but also arts and crafts supplies of all kinds. Skeins of yarn, yards of fabric, rubber stamps, blank canvases, vintage postcards, old magazines, paints, pastels and pipe cleaners.

The entrance of ReCreative, a used arts-and-crafts supply store and nonprofit in the Arts District on Santa Fe in Denver. (Miguel Otárola/The Denver Post)

All of these supplies and much more can also be found at ReCreative Denver, a used arts-and-crafts store and nonprofit located at 765 Santa Fe Drive. They fill enough shelves, cubbies and containers to occupy two spacious halls, plus to sustain artist studios upstairs. Strolling along the Art District on Santa Fe and into this trove of inspiration for the first time last year poked a creative urge that has kept me coming back for more.

“It seems big, but we get inundated with stuff,” said Chris Scott, ReCreative’s director of operations and one of three original founders. He credits the idea to co-founder Emily Korson, who opened a ReCreative workshop in Seattle before moving to Denver and opening in art district in 2016.

ReCreative relies on volunteers to sort through the mountains of goods that come in by appointment each month. Employees or specialists will usually price items at half their retail cost or less, Scott said, though prices have increased somewhat along with the building rent. Individual balls of yarn can be found for $2. Inks for screen printing range from $3 to $5. Singular items and handcrafted goods are priced accordingly and displayed by the entrance. (An unopened kit of pastels, for instance, is $45.)

Another main draw is the workshops and classes scheduled by program manager Kelly Eigenberger in the rooms further inside the building. Casual knitting, sewing, assemblage and crafting clubs meet every month.

Having moved within walking distance, the store is now a regular destination for me. It’s a little silly at this point, as my wife and I have stocked up on enough art supplies to arm a kindergarten class. I like to scrutinize the supply drawers like I do the shelves at record stores, proud and a little overwhelmed that such a bounty of resources exists near me.

Donated skeins of yarn are divided by color at ReCreative, a used arts-and-crafts supply store and nonprofit in the Art District on Santa Fe in Denver. (Miguel Otárola/The Denver Post)

Others have also caught on over the years, Scott said. A fundraiser last month raised thousands, and soon the shop will reopen its mezzanine as a gallery. Its first exhibition will be on Feb. 7 for the district’s First Fridays showcase.

“To see it become this sort of home base [or] nexus for people living the art life is very thrilling to me,” Scott said. “Because that’s a hard life to live. If we can make it a little easier … that’s pretty wonderful.”

At the foot of the staircase that leads to the mezzanine and artist studios is a large community message board. On one side is a prompt: “What does ReCreative mean to you?”

Dozens of answers are written on sticky notes tacked on to the wall:

“An inspirational destination,” reads one note. “The opportunity to try … then try again,” reads another, followed by a smiley face. One is a phrase I’ve used to refer to something that brought me comfort: “Reminds me of my mom!”

One note sticks with me most of all. “I can afford to make art now!!!” it says in sloppy handwriting, the last two words underlined for even more emphasis.

This store should not be such a revelation in a world where material goods continue to accumulate, much of them never used and even more ending up as pure waste. ReCreative stands out not just for recognizing this but also for keeping prices low in a way that actually makes art affordable and accessible for all.

ReCreative helped reawaken my long-dormant creativity, which I promise to you is inherent in all of us. Let the hall of art supplies runneth over.

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Denver, CO

“The Notebook” musical sets sights on Denver, composed by Ingrid Michaelson

Published

7 hours ago

November 13, 2025

Press Room

“The Notebook” musical sets sights on Denver, composed by Ingrid Michaelson

Just in time for the holidays, the iconic love story of “The Notebook” is coming to life on stage at Denver Center for the Performing Arts in December. The classic tale, now presented as a musical, plays the Buell Theatre starting in mid-December.

The story was first created as a novel and was later transformed into a hit movie in the early 2000s. Now, for the first time, the popular tale is being told as a musical touring the country.

“The story is already so emotional and beautiful. The music just elevates that,” said Kyle Mangold, the actor portraying young Noah in the show.

CBS

The story is told primarily through six actors and actresses, three of which play Noah and three of which play Allie through different phases of their lives.

Songwriter and singer Ingrid Michaelson served as lyricist and composer for the production, bringing a new art to the love story.

“I have always been a fan of Ingrid Michaelson, who of course wrote the music for the show,” Mangold told CBS Colorado. “It is gorgeous. It is so beautiful, intimate and soring.”

“It is amazing that this is her first musical,” said Ken Wulf Clark, the actor portraying middle Noah.

The six stars of the show sat down with CBS Colorado for an exclusive advanced preview of the production in Memphis, Tennessee. All six said they have loved how the music seamlessly helps tell the story without being distracting or feeling like a deviation from the original tale.

“It is so gorgeous, this music,” said Chloe Cheers, the actress who portrays young Allie.

“I think it is the best part, the writing, the lyrics, the melodies,” said Alysha Deslorieux, the actress portraying middle Allie.

Wulf Clark, Mangold, Deslorieux and Cheers co-star with Beau Gravitte and Sharon Catherine Brown who portray older Allie and older Noah.

“(The music) is amazing, and I feel like it elevates the story of the notebook in a way we have not yet seen in the book or the movie,” Deslorieux said.

During the live production, it was easy to see how music perfectly wove together big emotions into melodies in which audiences of all ages and backgrounds could connect with.

“There is this sort of ache to a lot of these songs that Ingrid captures so perfectly,” Wulf Clark said. “It invites the audience to do that thing where they are leaning forward. It is such a beautiful illustration of something is missing inside, and you want to see that thing get completed. And she captures that so well.”

“The Notebook” plays at DCPA Dec. 16 through Dec. 28, with exceptions for the Christmas holiday. CBS Colorado is a proud partner of the DCPA. For more information on tickets for the musical visit DCPA’s website.

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Denver, CO

Los Angeles takes on Denver, looks to break 5-game skid

Published

1 day ago

November 12, 2025

Press Room

Los Angeles takes on Denver, looks to break 5-game skid

Denver Nuggets (7-2, third in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (3-7, 12th in the Western Conference)

Inglewood, California; Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Nuggets -2; over/under is 225.5

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles looks to end its five-game skid when the Clippers take on Denver.

Los Angeles finished 50-32 overall and 29-23 in Western Conference action a season ago. The Clippers allowed opponents to score 108.2 points per game and shoot 46.1% from the field last season.

Denver went 50-32 overall and 32-20 in Western Conference play during the 2024-25 season. The Nuggets averaged 17.0 points off of turnovers, 14.4 second-chance points and 26.4 bench points last season.

INJURIES: Clippers: Bradley Beal: out (hip), Kawhi Leonard: out (injury management).

Nuggets: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Denver, CO

Why Is The Denver Fashion Week STREETWEAR Show Tonight Is A Must-Attend” Event?

Published

2 days ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Why Is The Denver Fashion Week STREETWEAR Show Tonight Is A Must-Attend” Event?

The Denver Fashion Week Streetwear show this evening, Tuesday, November 11th is a must-attend for its energetic atmosphere, celebration of local and diverse culture, and emphasis on individuality and self-expression. The event features unique collections from emerging and established designers, showcases the “Colorado cool” style, and often includes performances by local artists and musicians. Attendees can also expect to see and be inspired by the cutting-edge streetwear and sneakers of the season, with the added opportunity to showcase their own personal style.

Tickets for the Streetwear & Sneakers show are almost sold out. Reserve your tickets HERE

Photo credit: Weston Mosburg

This season’s featured designers include:

Energetic and immersive experience

Vibrant atmosphere: The show creates an immersive and energetic environment, often enhanced by music and performances by local artists.
Audience participation: Attendees are encouraged to wear their best street-style outfits and sneakers, making the crowd an integral part of the spectacle.

Celebration of local and diverse culture

“Colorado cool” style: The event showcases Denver’s unique style, which often blends functionality and layering to account for the unpredictable weather, along with influences from the city’s outdoor and creative scenes.
Diverse designers: DFW is a platform for a wide range of talent, with many shows featuring designers from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, which adds varied cultural influences to the collections.

Focus on individuality and creativity

Trendsetting: It’s a place to discover the bold and unique pieces that will define the season’s streetwear style, from limited-edition drops to cutting-edge brands.

Unique collections: Designers create individual and personal collections, sometimes drawing inspiration from their own heritage to create a unique Denver-infused vibe.

Boundary-pushing designs: The event highlights emerging and boundary-pushing designers who are creating the next wave of streetwear.

Tickets for the Streetwear & Sneakers show are almost sold out. Reserve your tickets HERE

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