After five years of business and providing to the community, Re:Create Arts Initiative is officially closing its doors at the end of August 2020.
The Downtown Lebanon store has proudly provided low-cost art supplies, classes, cultural events and environmental awareness to artists, crafters, teachers, parents, children, and non-profit organizations in the area.
“We promote creativity, environmental awareness and recycling, as well as an outlet for community members to dispose of their unwanted materials in a useful way,” Jandi Goshert, the owner of Re:Create Arts Initiative, said.
Because of its shut down later this month, the entirety of items in the store need to sell quickly. Items that are available include various types of arts and craft supplies at a bargain. Everything within the store is unwanted supplies donated by members of the community.
Right now, all items in the store are 50 percent off. The discounts will continue to increase each week until closing. From August 13-15, everything in the store will be 60 percent off and the week after that, all items will be 75 percent off.
Store hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The final date of operation has not been determined yet, but the store will definitely be closed by the end of August.
“I would like to thank everyone who supported Re:Create over the years,” Goshert said.”We were 100 percent community supported. Because of the support, we were able to provide the people of Lebanon and beyond with a plethora of arts and cultural experiences.”
Prior to the start of Re:Create Arts Initiative, Goshert attended Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, Pa to become a professionally trained artist. She was involved with the arts in Lebanon off and on for about 30 years. During this time, she had experience with the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts (LVCA). She also worked at Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery for some time doing framing, office work and booking many of the monthly shows.
Jandi was looking for and brainstorming ways to bring the arts and a thrift store to the Lebanon area. That is when she decided to open up her own type of “creative reuse store.”
“For five years, I was able to fulfill my dream,” Goshert said. “My favorite part of the entire experience would have to be the teaching. I love it. I love the confidence that comes over people when they succeed. I have loved working with all demographics of society, especially the kids and those with developmental challenges. I, too, have learned so much from them.”
In addition to selling thrifted items, the local store hosted events over the years that were open to the community. These included presenting live music, kids camps, writer’s night, collage and cocktails night, private parties, and numerous kinds of crafting classes.
“We may be closing our doors now, but while open, we were successful in achieving our goal of providing affordable artistic and cultural experiences for the people. We have put many smiles on a lot of faces.”
Re:Create Arts Initiative organized the Artist Alley for First Friday events during the summer of 2019. Artist Alley was a pop-up art fair that would attend every First Friday from April through October of last year. Goshert organized all of the artist line ups for those events.
The store donated services, as well as arts and craft materials to multiple local non-profit events and organizations. The events and organizations were Making a Difference of Lebanon, Lebanon High School and Middle School, Downtown Lebanon, YMCA, Spinstock Flow Arts Festival, etc.
Read More: [Photo Story] Spinstock Flow Arts Festival draws crowd to Coleman’s Park
“I’d like to give a shout out to the Tarsa family – our extremely supportive landlord. They truly are community-minded local business owners. Without their generosity, this long run would not have been possible.”
Goshert hopes to have the opportunity to continue teaching children art skills in the future. More specifically, teaching children who are homeschooled during this era, as there has been an increase.
“I’m also looking forward to devoting some time to my own artwork again,” Goshert said. “The last five years have been spent making cardboard castles and sock puppets, which I totally enjoyed, but I’m missing that real studio time and the creative expression and immersion that comes with it.”
For further details about Re:Create Arts Initiative and its closure, visit the Facebook page or contact Goshert at 717-269-3301.
Do you know a Lebanon County business with an interesting story to share? Give us advice on what to feature next!
Give the gift of local journalism.
If you are thankful for what LebTown brings to the community, consider joining our cause as a member. Members get an inside look at our publishing schedule each week, plus invites to our members-only Facebook group and happy hours.
Sign up for an annual membership using the link below, and we’ll give you a free LebTown mug at the next happy hour.
Learn more and join now here.
More Top Stories
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
