ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ruth Manning has spent all of her life involved with art. 

“I'm a tapestry weaver and my mother was a sewer,” artist Ruth Manning said. “And I had fabric around me and yarn and I made Barbie doll clothes and hats that didn’t fit. I was drawing out in the parking lot one day during the Saturday market, and this young woman, Kristina, noticed me. She was having coffee, working on her computer, and came over and said, ‘You know what? I work up there and we have figure drawing and you may want to come up and take advantage of that.'"

Introduced to The Yards Collective, 72-year-old Manning has been a volunteer ever since. 

“This is something that really appeals to me, like the lounge downstairs when you go in and you see a pigeon of all things, it just I think it's aesthetically done very well along with the gallery space, which is really a sharp, classy gallery,” Manning said.

The Yards Collective was created in 2011 as a collaborative art space founded by female-identifying makers looking to offer a supportive artistic and inclusive space. 

“It's just really about connecting other folks in the community with each other and making sure everyone feels like they have a support network because a lot of times as artists we can kind of work in silos and just having a space where we can come together and share passions is so important,” said Kristina Kaiser, director of The Yards Collective.

It provides the community with not only an accessible art space, but also a sustainable one. Introducing its seasonal clothing and art swap.

“The swap just kind of came out of fast fashion, wanting to kind of make sure that the things that are in our closet and we're kind of trying to get rid of, they find a good home,” Kaiser said. “Same with the art supplies.

Artists are notorious for being hoarders of supplies. So those things that we're trying to get rid of, finding someone else that's going to use it.”

Giving an opportunity for artists and crafters to donate items in usable condition for others to obtain. 

“I had someone recently ask if two bags were too much,” Kaiser said. “We've had people come up with five coats of clothing or supplies. So it's community members that bring all the goodness.”

Finding many to reflect on the old saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." Members have found events like the swap to continue its mission of developing connections within Rochester and beyond.

“The more people that understand what a small arts center can contribute to the larger art space, to have these little gems,” Manning said. “You are loved when you come to the arts. Don't miss a chance to check it out and see what it's like.”

To visit or learn more about The Yards Collective, you can visit theyardsrochester.com.