"She believed everything in the world was worthy to be painted or drawn or sketched,” says the director and founder of the Creative Reuse Center (CRC), Elizabeth Ochs, warmly remembering her grandmother, Barbara “Mims” Grandis. Founded by Hannah Bashkow, a Brown alumna familiar with Grandis, the CRC is co-coordinated by Salina Ting and Janise Nieves, with the goal of “creating a welcoming space for people at all stages of life who want to tell their story through creation,” said Ochs. The center’s goal is to turn surplus materials and supplies from individuals and businesses into treasures for educators, artists, youth, and community members.
The Barbara Grandis Artist Residency is a program sponsored by the CRC, a place where artists transform recycled materials into one-of-a-kind art pieces. Artists showcase their work in an end-of-cohort art exhibition. There are six to seven local artists in the community for eight weeks per cohort, twice a year. Residents of the cohorts are either beginning their artistic careers or seasoned artists redefining themselves. The program is a way for artists to have “a moment to breathe” amongst various stages, says Ting, who has worked with creators ranging from administrators to tattoo artists. “We want to welcome all types of people, no matter where they are [in their artist journey],” adds Ting.
Participants build their portfolios, connect with the community, each other, and themselves. They take field trips based on their interests, participate in CRC events, and work on their art pieces regularly together at CRC. Artists create with what they have: the
materials found at CRC. As Ochs says, “Art can be made with reusable materials and still be professional and profound.”
Residents receive professional mentorship through guidance from other artists, including alumni who return for artist talks, the “Drinks with Artists” event in collaboration with WaterFire Providence, and writers who assist residents with artist statements. “The artists are deeply courageous people who’ve gone through a lot in their lives, and art is a way toward healing
and building community,” says Ochs.
Max Sanchi, a resident of the Summer 2025 cohort, explains, “This residency taught me the importance of setting aside time for art, to keep exercising my artistic muscles to form a consistent relationship to art rather than a sporadic one.” Sanchi’s textile assemblage, titled “Gentle, Loving, Touch,” explores his journey of affection and intimacy with friends and lovers after growing up without witnessing physical affection.
Lauren Ward, of the Spring 2025 cohort, says that the residency showed her to “have faith in what you love and what you give attention to.” She appreciates that the program helped her become more flexible in prioritizing repurposed materials while being part of a community of like-minded resourceful makers. Ward’s mixed-media watercolor, fabric, leather, bead, and natural materials piece is called “Little Miss Understood.”
“I made some really great connections with other artists,” says Julissa Magnone, of the Spring 2025 cohort. “I learned to lean on other creatives for support, advice, and community. I learned that creating art doesn’t have to be a lonely practice but can be one of friendship.” Magnone created a collection of watercolor collages inspired by the beauty of the Ocean State, including the Rhode Island Red Hen, lighthouses, and flowers.
Ochs hopes that her grandmother’s “spirit and love of life and art, will infuse into the program.”
You can support the center and the Barbara Grandis Artist Residency by becoming a CRC member, shopping, donating, or visiting. Learn more at CreativeReuseCenterRI.org
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