History, Mission and Vision

The concept behind Friends of Spare Parts dba Spare Parts was developed in 2011 by our founder Mary Elizabeth Cantú, as a response to the lack of arts funds and resources in PreK-12 classrooms.

In 2018 Spare Parts officially became a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization (Friends of Spare Parts). The Spare Parts mission then officially became “to advance reuse and sustainability through creativity and the arts“. Our vision is to increase reuse and sustainable practices. Through programing, education and physical development, Spare Parts empowers citizens to reduce landfill tonnage through reuse and environmental accountability.

Since 2011 Spare Parts implemented several educational programs targeted to local schools and educators and was well know for an annual Teacher Material Giveaways and Mini Art Museum traveling program.

In December 2020 Spare Parts held a soft opening for the Spare Parts Center for Creative Reuse for VIPs and was open to the public in April 2021. The Center is San Antonio’s first art supply thrift store. The purpose of the Center for Creative Reuse is to facilitate the intake of pre-owned creative materials and supplies that would otherwise be thrown away or underutilized and offers them back into the community through program offerings and storefront. The revenue earned ensures that Spare Parts can continue to expand and serve the community.

The Center for Creative Reuse is a community driven operation and depends on material donors, volunteers, and patrons to continue to sustain a safe and welcoming place where teachers, parents, crafters, kids, and artists, can access affordable pre-loved supplies and materials.