Take A Seat: An Upcycling Community Art Project
Alexandria Library
Innovation Synopsis
In late 2024, the Library identified 20 solid wood chairs about to be discarded and replaced. Instead of sending them to the dumpster, staff developed a program to give them new life as upcycled artwork! We invited local and regional artists to decorate the chairs in their own individual styles and transform them into original art pieces. The unifying theme for the project was America 250 in honor of the country's 250th birthday celebration.
The decorated chairs were displayed at Library branches and community partners in April 2026, culminating in an artist panel and gallery event with all the chairs together on May 9. The chairs were then auctioned to the public, raising funds for the Library Foundation.
This was a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Alexandria Library, the Alexandria Library Foundation, the City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts, and Alexandria's artist community, striving to make a positive environmental impact through cooperation and collaboration.
Challenge/Opportunity
Like all public institutions, the Library periodically replaces furniture that has reached the end of its useful life. In the Summer of 2025, around two dozen solid wood chairs that had been in use for many years by Library patrons were flagged for replacement. Staff noticed that, despite their heavily used and somewhat dirty condition, the chairs were still structurally sound, functional, and sturdy.
Feeling that the chairs still had value and not wanting them to go to waste, staff developed a program that would transform trash into treasure. The Take A Seat program would address three issues:
1. Sustainability – the chairs are kept out of the landfill and given a second life
2. Community Engagement – the program directly involves the local arts community, local businesses, the City’s Office of the Arts, as well as Library patrons
3. Fundraising – at the conclusion of the program, the chairs are auctioned off, raising funds for the Alexandria Library Foundation.
Key Elements of Innovation
This program was innovative in how it brought together so many elements for mutual and multiplied benefits. The Library collaborated with multiple partners simultaneously: The City, the arts community, local businesses, and patrons. At the same time, the program advanced multiple objectives of the stakeholders.
Sustainability education
Community engagement
Exposure for local artists and businesses
Promotion of the City’s public arts programs
Fundraising
Staff sent out a call for artists in December 2025. A small committee juried the applications and 20 artists were selected. The artists worked for two months to transform the chairs into original art pieces, interpreting the theme: America 250. The completed chairs were displayed at Library branches, as well as several local businesses. In May, the chairs were reunited for a one-day gallery exhibit and panel discussion. The chairs were also auctioned to the public, with proceeds going to the Alexandria Library Foundation.
Achieved Outcomes
All twenty chairs were saved from the landfill because of this project. Although it is difficult to estimate how many people interacted with the artwork while it was on display in the community, we are confident it is well over 10,000.
Nearly $2,900 was raised from the auction, and approximately 50 art enthusiasts joined us for the artist panel and gallery exhibit on May 9. Prior to the panel, two volunteer teen docents led tours for visitors.
This program not only transformed chairs into art, but it also turned the mundane process of furniture disposal into an educational opportunity for thousands, enriched our arts community, strengthened our relationships with local partners, and contributed significant financial support to the Library Foundation.
