A 501(c)3 social enterprise, Perennial is a community workshop and store in St. Louis, MO that offers educational programming in creative reuse to diverse populations and sells handmade DIY kits and tools for reuse projects. We turn trash in to amazing items and teach the community to do the same!
Established in 2011, Perennial is a non-profit dedicated to creative reuse—the process of artistically transforming discarded goods into objects of worth. The concept for Perennial developed from the work of community artist and educator Jenny Murphy after creating numerous projects and programs leading diverse populations through the process of creative reuse. With the help of a passionate grassroots board, Perennial was established as a resource for the St. Louis community to discover ways to reuse objects, reduce waste, and live a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle through the power of their personal creativity.
In its workshop, Perennial teaches creative classes covering topics from eco-refinishing, to upholstery, to building new furniture from pallets. Perennial offers these educational programs to the public and partners with area social service agencies to engage women in transition in outreach programs. Perennial’s space also serves as a retail outlet for Perennial merchandise, the revenue from which supports the organization’s educational programs.
Our Mission
Build a creative culture of sustainability in which discarded items are transformed into valued and cherished resources.
Our Goals
TEACH people to think and act creatively and responsibly by providing opportunities to develop do-it-yourself skills and learn to reuse objects and reduce waste
DIVERT waste from landfills
FOSTER thoughtful and sustainable consumer experiences
GENERATE revenue through our classes and store to support opportunities for underserved populations to engage in the creative reuse process
Katie Carpenter
executive director
Katie Carpenter (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of Perennial. She’s in awe of the beautiful and treasured items the Perennial community crafts out of broken and discarded materials. Katie is dedicated to securing resources and connecting with new audiences to keep programming accessible and share the value of a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Katie’s always up for an adventure whether it’s cooking an egg on a volcano in Bali or a spur of the moment road trip to the Iowa State Fair, but she feels most at home surrounded by St. Louis brick. Her nonprofit experience includes arts-programming, fundraising, and direct service. She holds an MPA with a focus in nonprofit management from Drake University.
Karalyn Skinner (she/her/hers) is the Director of Details at Perennial. She helps to keep the gears turning at Perennial, using her love of details to create and maintain systems for accounting, data-tracking, membership, and anything else that needs a bit of organization! She holds an MA in Library and Information Science from the University of Missouri as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. Karalyn is always looking for an opportunity to geocache, eat yummy vegetarian food, and to share her love for Pilates.
Sophia (she/her/hers) is our Director of Creative ReUse. Her favorite part of her job is getting to tell the stories of the passion and creativity that flows out of Perennial. She owes her love of creative reuse to her grandmother, who could find a second life for anything. Sophia holds a BFA in Studio Art with a minor in International Human Rights from Webster University. Outside of Perennial, you can find Sophia making things, dreaming, and running her eco-friendly paper goods and accessories business, Just Human Studio.
Brad Hutchison (he/him/his) has been making things from whatever material he could find for his whole life. Somewhere out there is a picture of a grinning kid with big glasses and a bowl cut proudly holding up a chair nailed together from scraps of plywood (never mind the fact that it immediately collapsed from underneath him). He’s been making, building, and fixing things professionally for the past 20 years, across a wide variety of jobs: construction worker, museum exhibit builder/installer, handyman, furniture maker…the list could go on for a while. Most recently, Brad and his wife and favorite person Ash (also very much a maker) were property managers at a 100 year old former brothel/speakeasy turned camp/resort where he happily spent his days building and fixing. Brad lives to be in the shop making things. He and Ash have two young boys who are so great (and have an early love for making things as well). Brad carries around the knowledge and skill to make and fix given to him by countless other people. The only job he loves more than making things is passing all that knowledge on to other people.
Avery Pollard (she/they) is Perennial’s Outreach Specialist. She works with our partner agencies and women at transitional points in their lives to provide free creative reuse workshops and studio time. Avery was raised in St. Louis and owes their knack for reuse to their grandmother, their should-have-been-a-hippie mother, and their wonderful professors in university. Avery obtained their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ball State University- which promotes reuse and upcycling to their students and in their programs. She also owes her propensity for supporting others to their mother who taught Avery that acceptance, kindness, and fierce advocacy are essential to life. Avery is so excited to be a part of the amazing team of people that make up the heart of Perennial!
Neeka Allsup (she/her/hers) is Perennial’s Shop and Marketing Specialist. She was born in the back of a toy store in Austin Texas to two hippies that made toys from wood. She grew up painting and drawing, making her own jewelry and clothes. Neeka attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a professional oil painter and muralist. She loves reusing things in her art and rehabbing antique frames. She is inspired by Perennial’s mission, and as the Shop Specialist, she uses her background in art and retail to make the shop and social media lovely, organized and inspiring to others.
Perennial’s workshop is located in South St. Louis and is an inspirational space for the community. Volunteers helped transform and build out the workshop entirely with found materials. The space houses a small retail shop, full woodshop, reuse studio, and a full selection of reclaimed materials for your upcycling needs!
Open Hours
Stop by the shop any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday 11am-5pm to check out the space, register for upcoming workshops, or shop Perennial-made goods and reclaimed materials.
What You Can Do at Perennial
Attend a class
Attend a Saturday Crafternoon
Have a private event or party
Shop for eco-friendly projects supplies like milk paint
Shop for Perennial-made DIY kits and tools
Root through our salvaged materials and purchase some for your projects
Supporters
St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District
Perennial: Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release of Liability and Agreement
I wish to obtain certain training and instruction from Perennial (St. Louis), which may involve the use of various tools and equipment, such as hammers, saws, pliers, box cutters, and the like (the “Training”). In consideration of being able to participate in any way in the Training (as defined below):
1. I represent that I understand the nature of the activities involved in the Training. I am fully aware of the risks and hazards connected with these activities, and voluntarily accept and assume full responsibility for all risks of loss, property damage, death and personal injury that may be sustained by me as a result of volunteering for or otherwise participating in the Training, whether caused by the negligence, carelessness or strict liability of a “Released Party” (as defined below) or otherwise. The risks include, without limitation, those caused by condition of participants and equipment, my skill using the equipment and actions of other people. In addition to these potential risks, I understand that there are also unpredictable dangers involved with athletic activities. Understanding the inherent risks and dangers of participating in the Training, I represent that to the best of my knowledge that I have no medical, physical, and/or emotional health condition which would hinder or prevent, whatsoever, my participation in the Training and have not been advised to not participate in the Training by a qualified medical person. 2. I, for myself, and on behalf of my family members, heirs, assigns, successors, personal representatives, executors and next of kin, hereby fully and forever release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue Perennial, and its present and future affiliates, members, administrators, directors, shareholders, officers, employees, volunteers, representatives and agents and all other parties and persons connected with the Training in any way (each a “Released Party” and collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, loss, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever, present or future, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated, or unanticipated, arising out of or related to any loss, damage or injury, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, or resulting in death, as a result of my participation in the Training, that are caused by the negligence, carelessness or strict liability of any Released Party or otherwise. 3. I agree that if, despite the foregoing, I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the Released Parties, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any loss, liability, damage, or cost which any Released Party may incur as a result of such claim. 4. I acknowledge receipt of all rules and regulations governing the Training and agree to comply with all such rules and regulations. 5. I agree that this Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release of Liability and Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the county in which the Training is conducted and the State of Missouri and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect.
I certify that I have read the foregoing, fully understand that I have given up substantial rights by accepting the Terms and Conditions through Perennial’s website and have accepted the Terms and Conditions freely of my own will and accord and intend my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. I acknowledge and agree that there is good and valuable consideration for each of the rights, obligations and agreements set forth herein.
Media Release
I hereby grant Perennial permission to use my likeness and my artwork in a photograph, video, or other digital reproduction in any of its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration.
I hereby irrevocably authorize Perennial to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute these photographs or videos for purposes of publicizing its programs or for any other lawful purpose. In addition, I waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein my likeness or artwork appears. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph.
I herby hold harmless and release and forever discharge Perennial staff, official agents, and partners from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.
I have read this release before accepting Perennial’s Terms and Conditions and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release.
By accepting the Terms and Conditions, I certify that I am 18 years of age or older. I certify that if I am not 18 years of age, a legal guardian has accepted the Terms and Conditions on my behalf.
We need your VOTE for $25,000!
Perennial has been selected as State Farm Neighborhood Assist Top 200 Finalist, and we’re in the running for a $25,000 grant.
From Wednesday 8/15 – Friday 8/24, you can cast 10 votes each day to support Perennial!