MFTA will celebrate the opening of the group exhibition “The Useful Life of Objects,” featuring artists Ronen Gamil, Baseera Khan, Armita Raafat, and Justin Sterling, with a free public event on Thursday, January 15, 2026 with an artist talk led by curators Kendal Henry and Sara Reisman at 6:30pm.

Whether reconfiguring scraps from the fashion industry, reframing household remnants, reconfiguring commercial surplus, or incorporating found elements from the public realm, each artist approaches material as both physical matter and cultural record.

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Image: Armita Raafat, Untitled, 2024. Handmade paper, pigmented paper pulp, embroidered textile (khoos doozi), mesh, mirrors. 15 x 11.5 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Materials for the Arts is New York City’s Creative Reuse center. From our warehouse to all five boroughs, we connect and inspire local students and teachers, artists and non-profits, with free materials to imagine a more creative and sustainable future.

The City of New York funds infrastructural and operational costs for MFTA, and it falls upon Friends of Materials for the Arts (FOMA), MFTA’s nonprofit partner, to support other initiatives to reach a broader audience through our Education Center which reaches thousands of people by hosting our Artists-in-Residence program, Designer-in-Residence Program, Gallery program, Third Thursday program, Professional Development program and Field Trip/In-School Residency programs.

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What’s Happening

Third Thursday Programming
Explore all the warehouse has to offer while engaging in art-making workshops, art talks, gallery openings, and more.

P-Credit Courses and Workshops
Strengthen your teaching practice with arts integration while earning P-credits and CTLE hours.

Volunteer at Materials for the Arts

MFTA relies upon volunteers to keep our 35,000 square foot warehouse organized. Join our roster of volunteers rangingfrom corporate groups and retirees to college students and nonprofit community organizations in making a difference in our warehouse and across New York City.

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Donations

MFTA’s mission is to collect materials, keep them out of the landfill, and put them in the hands of arts nonprofits, public schools, city agencies, and social service and social justice organizations across the five boroughs. Thanks to donations from businesses and individuals — like you — MFTA is helping those in need while contributing to a cleaner, greener world.