Material Play Session VI: Embroidery Hoop Screen Printing
Sep
12

Material Play Session VI: Embroidery Hoop Screen Printing

Join local artists Stephanie Berrie and Alex McClay at their printmaking and art studio, Spit Bite Studios for an exciting screen printing workshop where you will learn how to make small printing screens from embroidery hoops and screen print onto upcycled fabrics to make patches. Please feel free to bring garments you already have to print on, and any ideas or drawings you want to use for your design. RSVP here!

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Material Play Session IV: Exploratory Weaving
Jul
19

Material Play Session IV: Exploratory Weaving

Join us at Tide Pool to explore weaving with upcycled fibers and materials, led by local textile artist (and Indigo Hippo shop manager!) Emma Jackson!

Learn the basics of weaving at Tide Pool with local fiber artist, Emma Jackson, and play with fun and non-traditional weaving materials in this explorative workshop! You'll learn how to use a homemade loom to create a unique, decorative or functional textile using yarn, thread, string, and any material you can think to weave into a one-of-a-kind work of art.

We'll also learn about the mission and work of new non-profit Tide Pool (which also houses our sister location, Indigo Hippo Hamilton!) RSVP here!

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Bag Charm Workshop with Ash Eclectic!
Jul
14

Bag Charm Workshop with Ash Eclectic!

Make your own beaded bag charm, guided by fabulous local bead artist Ashley Cooper of Ash Eclectics!

We'll use beads and materials from Indigo Hippo's shop, and each participant can expect to make up to 2 bag charms.

  • All materials provided

  • $40/per participant

  • GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

NOTE: Our workshop space inside Indigo Hippo is small so we will be a bit cozy. Please expect to sit near your neighbors as you work on your pieces.

*Additionally, some of our seating options are on high stools, and most are regular folding chairs.

Please let us know if you perfer one or the other! You can reach out to us at "hello@indigohippo.org" with questions and specifications.

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Summer Fundraiser!
Jun
30
to Jul 27

Summer Fundraiser!

We are so grateful to have reached 10 years of serving our community as your local thrift-store-for art supplies and look forward to the next 10!

In honor of 10 years, we are raising $10,000 to support Indigo Hippo’s existence as a creative resource, gallery space, and community collaborator!

Please consider making a donation: https://donorbox.org/summer-fundraiser-945065

Our creative community is weird and cool, and the Indigo Hippo team is humbled to be a part of the local charm. Creative reuse is good for our community and here’s why:

  1. Affordable, Accessible Supplies for All: Everything at Indigo Hippo is priced based on condition and original retail value. From there, we mark items down 30-50% or more and fit them into our pay-what-you-can model. Many items end up on our Free Shelf, and when possible, we donate bulk amounts of materials to community centers, schools, summer camps, and artist groups. No one gets turned away at Indigo Hippo because we believe that art is for everyone.                                                                                                                        

  2. Donating, Not Dumping: Reuse gives your materials new life. Instead of adding to the landfill with piles of fabric scraps or broken crayons, your generous donation of supplies will find a good home and new purpose once it’s cycled through our storefront. Nothing is ever wasted.

  3. Inspiration Leads to Local Impact: Every material that comes through our store inspires the next project, crafts the next gift, or tells a new story in Cincinnati’s creative community. Imagine entering a gallery made of materials from your donated supplies!  

They always say, "Make the world you want to live in." We want to live in a world where art is for everyone. And to do so, we also want to:

  • Keep being your community hub for creative reuse, inspiration, and connection. 

  • Keep our pay-what-you-can system in place. 

  • Ensure our free, creative reuse workshop program, Material Play, is funded for next year and beyond, so people of all ages can learn new crafts from local artists while incorporating reuse and sustainability. 

  • Grow our team and increase wages because our small team works hard and deserves fair pay.

Please consider making a donation to help us reach our goal! Every little bit helps. We TRULY feel the impact of your donations, and we couldn’t exist without you! 

With gratitude, 

The Indigo Hippo Team

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Indigo Hippo @ Juneteenth
Jun
19

Indigo Hippo @ Juneteenth

  • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at the Freedom Center’s Juneteenth Jubilee! We’ll be tabling inside the Freedom Center from 12 - 5pm with a super fun “make-and-take” craft! Stop by!

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Poster Making
Jun
8

Poster Making

Material Play Session: Poster Making

Material Play is a FREE, workshop series available to all ages and skill levels!

  • Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

  • All upcycled materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

Join local artists Julia Lipovsky and Jon Flannery at their collective studio, General Store, for a dynamic workshop where we'll transform found materials like maps, calendars, wallpaper samples, sewing patterns and artwork prints to create something entirely new by layering new imagery through screen printing and drawing mediums.

RSVP HERE

Please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Supported by ArtsWave

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Make A Bucket Hat!
May
31

Make A Bucket Hat!

SESSION II: Sunday, May 31 || 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Join us at Elementz to explore the intersection of Hip Hop and fashion! Local fashion designer Khalil Jackson will teach you how to create your very own upcycled fabric bucket hat, transforming awesome fabric remnants from Indigo Hippo's Shop. RSVP here!

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Mindful Collage Poetry
Apr
19

Mindful Collage Poetry

Material Play Session I: Mindful Collage Poetry

Join local artist Julie Klear + The Well to explore mindfulness through poetry and collage.

Material Play is a FREE, workshop series available to all ages and skill levels!

  • Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

  • All upcycled materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

RSVP HERE

Walk-in's welcome! Please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Supported by ArtsWave

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Indigo Hippo's 10th Birthday
Mar
27

Indigo Hippo's 10th Birthday

Please join us at our shop in Over-the-Rhine to celebrate 10 years of Indigo Hippo! This Final Friday will be the opening reception of our “History of Indigo Hippo” gallery wall developed in collaboration with L.D. Nehls. There will be cake, light bites, and refreshments, and our shop will be open for regular shopping.

Friday, March 27th from 6-8pm at 1334 Main Street.

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ReMADE: A Sustainable Art Experience '25
Dec
5

ReMADE: A Sustainable Art Experience '25

Hosted by the Art Academy of Cincinnati in Over-the-Rhine at Site 1212, and celebrating over 9 years of creativity and environmental sustainability, our annual fundraiser and open gallery event will be a vibrant evening of art, music, and community, highlighting the creative talent and original works of Cincinnati’s gifted artists, as well as Indigo Hippo’s ongoing mission to broaden arts accessibility, reduce waste, and inspire possibility through creative reuse.

You’ll enjoy:

  • Light bites + drinks

  • An incredible Silent auction featuring baskets and bundles from local businesses

  • The ReMADE Gallery show + art auction, featuring the works of local artists

  • Multiple (free!) artist-led experiences

  • Fun photo-ops

  • And learn more about our mission and work throughout the night!

    TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

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Painterly Collage Workshop
Oct
21

Painterly Collage Workshop

Join us for a “painterly collage” workshop led by local artist Chloe Greenberg @chloegreenfrogart on Tuesday Oct 21st at Indigo Hippo from 6:00 - 8:00pm!

Explore shape, value, and texture by creating cut paper collages out of pre-made textures, papers and magazines, inspired by the work of Eric Carle.All materials will be provided by the artist and Indigo Hippo!

Tickets available here: Eventbrite

If you missed it, stop by the shop to see Chloe’s current show in our space, “Bespoke Nature,” and get inspired by her beautiful collage works!

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Pop-Up Play
Aug
15

Pop-Up Play

Join Indigo Hippo staff and volunteers in a creative reuse craft as part of Ziegler Park and 3CDC’s Pop-Up Play series!

All of Indigo Hippo’s craft pop-ups are free and open for all to attend and will be held from 3-5 PM at Ziegler Park. Materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

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Pop-Up Play
Aug
1

Pop-Up Play

Join Indigo Hippo staff and volunteers in a creative reuse craft as part of Ziegler Park and 3CDC’s Pop-Up Play series!

All of Indigo Hippo’s craft pop-ups are free and open for all to attend and will be held from 3-5 PM at Ziegler Park. Materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

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Final Friday at Indigo Hippo
Jul
25

Final Friday at Indigo Hippo

You are invited to join us for our Summer Gallery Opening Reception and celebrating the end of the Float the Bloat fundraising campaign!

Please join us at Indigo Hippo on Friday, July 25 from 6-8 PM. Enjoy light refreshments and bites, meet our summer gallery artist, and our staff and board members! Our summer gallery show will feature to work of local artist, William Elaban. The store will be open for shopping as well.

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Pop-Up Play
Jul
18

Pop-Up Play

Join Indigo Hippo staff and volunteers in a creative reuse craft as part of Ziegler Park and 3CDC’s Pop-Up Play series!

All of Indigo Hippo’s craft pop-ups are free and open for all to attend and will be held from 3-5 PM at Ziegler Park. Materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

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Pop-Up Play
Jun
27

Pop-Up Play

Join Indigo Hippo staff and volunteers in a creative reuse craft as part of Ziegler Park and 3CDC’s Pop-Up Play series!

All of Indigo Hippo’s craft pop-ups are free and open for all to attend and will be held from 3-5 PM at Ziegler Park. Materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

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Cardmaking at Streetside Brewery
Apr
4

Cardmaking at Streetside Brewery

Workshop alert!

Join us at @streetsidebrewery (Tues 4/29 from 6-8pm) to learn how to make embroidered greeting cards with reuse materials from the Indigo Hippo shop!🪡

You’ll walk away with a finished embroidered greeting card and materials to make more at home.

Tickets include:
🔹a beverage
🔹all workshop materials
🔹more materials for further crafting at home!

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Indigo Hippo Turns 9!
Mar
28

Indigo Hippo Turns 9!

Join us on this Final Friday to celebrate Indigo Hippo’s 9th birthday! Our gallery walls will be with artwork donated to Indigo Hippo and all proceeds on art sales will support our shop and our mission. There will be light refreshments available and we will be open for regular in-store shopping!

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ReMADE: A Sustainable Art Experience '24
Dec
4

ReMADE: A Sustainable Art Experience '24

Hosted by the historic Woodward Theater in Over-the-Rhine, and celebrating over 8 years of creativity and environmental sustainability, our annual fundraiser and open gallery event will be a vibrant evening of art, music, and community, highlighting the creative talent and original works of Cincinnati’s gifted artists, as well as Indigo Hippo’s ongoing mission to broaden arts accessibility, reduce waste, and inspire possibility through creative reuse.

You’ll enjoy:

  • Light bites + drinks

  • An incredible Silent auction featuring baskets and bundles from local businesses

  • The ReMADE Gallery show + art auction, featuring the works of local artists

  • Multiple (free!) artist-led experiences

  • Fun photo-ops

  • And learn more about our mission and work throughout the night!

    PURCHASE TICKETS

    * Early Bird Ticket 5% Discount - available until November 27th!

    ** Pay-what-you-can ticket pricing available online and at the door!

    ***All ticket proceeds go to support the mission and work of Indigo Hippo

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"FLORA MAGNIFICA" Gallery Opening Reception
Sep
27

"FLORA MAGNIFICA" Gallery Opening Reception

Join us on Final Friday for the opening reception of solo show “FLORA MAGNIFICA” featuring the artwork of local artist, Ciara LeRoy

Ciara shares, “The show is primarily a tribute to my late grandmother--Flora Jones LeRoy--and her love of flowers, cultivating gardens, and shopping secondhand. There will be acrylic paintings on canvas, fabric assemblages, soft sculpture, and hand embroideries. Much of the work utilizes secondhand or scrap materials.”

Light refreshments and snacks will be available and the store will be open for extended shopping during the reception! Masks are encouraged during this event and we will have some masks available.

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Sustainable Suds with High Grain
Sep
18

Sustainable Suds with High Grain

Join us for Sustainable Suds at High Grain Brewing in Silverton next Wednesday 9/18! High Grain will generously donate 10% of ALL purchases (food, non-alcoholic beverages, and of course, beer) made from 4 - 10pm, to support Indigo Hippo!

Stop by to say hi to our team from 5 - 7pm, but you can grab a brew and a bite any time between 4 - 10pm to support!

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Material Play Session V - Possibility Portraits
Sep
17

Material Play Session V - Possibility Portraits

Join JULIA LIPOVSKY and JULIA O BIANCO of THE WELL for “Possibility Portraits: Looking in and looking out!” You’ll get to participate in a guided meditation led by Julia B and learn from Julia L about how you might create your own self portrait. Materials will be mostly paper and collage based.

  • Material Play is A FREE, once-a-month workshop series for youth ages 10-18 (recommended, no restriction for children under 10 but request a parent or guardian present to participate)

  • Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

  • All upcycled materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

RSVP ahead of time HERE!

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School Supply Giveaway!
Aug
10
to Aug 11

School Supply Giveaway!

Stop by Indigo Hippo on Saturday 8/10 and Sunday 8/11 from 12-5pm for FREE school supplies for Back To School!

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Material Play Session III
Jul
8

Material Play Session III

Join local artistJoin local artist Elan Schwartz and the artists of Perma Buds to Weave Your World! You'll learn weaving techniques from Elan, as well as how to make "plarn" (upcycled plastic yarn), learn how to encorporate found materials into your weavings, and the Perma Buds folks will lead the workshop in learnings around permaculture, caring for our earth, and "honorable harvest."

Material Play is A FREE, once-a-month workshop series for youth ages 10-18 (recommended, no restriction for children under 10 but request a parent or guardian present to participate)

  • Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

  • All upcycled materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

Register here ahead of time, or drop by - walk-ins welcome!

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Pop Up Summer Sundays
Jun
30

Pop Up Summer Sundays

Enjoy an extra day of shopping in the week! Open 12 - 6pm.

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Pop Up Summer Sundays
Jun
16

Pop Up Summer Sundays

Enjoy an extra day of shopping in the week! Open 12 - 6pm.

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Second Sunday on Main
Jun
9

Second Sunday on Main

Enjoy the first Second Sunday on Main of the season! We’ll have our doors open 12 - 6, so come by and shop for some creative goodies and enjoy all the fun that Second Sunday on Main has to offer!

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Material Play Session II
Jun
3

Material Play Session II

Explore with PEASLEE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER on how to be a good neighbor and find your place in your community through upcycled mixed media collage, where you'll get to add your voice to a piece of a larger work of art started by artist CIERRA FOGLE and take your pick from an "art bar" of materials provided by Indigo Hippo.

Material Play is A FREE, once-a-month workshop series for youth ages 10-18 (recommended, no restriction for children under 10 but request a parent or guardian present to participate)

  • Learn new creative skills and mediums from local artists and organizations while exploring themes of personal growth, resilience and community.

  • All upcycled materials will be provided by Indigo Hippo!

Register here ahead of time, or drop by - walk-ins welcome!

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