CHILDREN’S CHAIR ARTISTS
Every year, Community Warehouse invites local artists to transform ordinary children’s chairs into extraordinary works of art.
The Children’s Chair Program is a beloved tradition that supports Community Warehouse’s furniture bank while bringing joy to children receiving essential furniture for their homes. Each one-of-a-kind chair is sponsored by generous supporters, helping raise critical funds for our mission, before being chosen by a child visiting one of our furniture banks.
For many children, it’s the first piece of furniture they’ve ever picked out themselves. Along with beds, dressers, tables, and other household essentials, these colorful handcrafted chairs help create homes filled with comfort, dignity, and delight.
How it Works
1. Find a Chair
Start with a pre-loved child-sized chair from a thrift store, garage sale, Buy Nothing group, Facebook Marketplace, or another community source. Need a chair? We’re happy to provide one.
2. Create Something Magical
Transform your chair into a one-of-a-kind work of functional art. Whether inspired by a favorite storybook, animals, outer space, music, nature, dinosaurs, fairies, or something entirely original, we encourage designs that spark imagination and joy.
3. Support Our Mission
Completed chairs are showcased online and at our annual fundraising events, where community members sponsor them. Every sponsorship directly supports Community Warehouse’s furniture bank and helps provide essential furnishings to local families.
4. A Child Chooses Their Chair
After the event, each chair finds its forever home with a child visiting Community Warehouse with their family. Watching children discover and choose these special creations is one of the most joyful moments of the year.
Become a Children’s Chair Artist
Artist registration deadline: July 31, 2026
We’re always looking for new artists, illustrators, muralists, designers, woodworkers, and creative makers to join this beloved community tradition. Interested in being a Children’s Chair artist? After reviewing the guidelines below, please click the Signup button.
Artist Guidelines & Inspiration
Have fun and get creative! We encourage artists to create chairs that children can imagine with, play around, and treasure for years.
Popular themes include:
- Favorite children’s books
- Animals and nature
- Dinosaurs
- Ocean life
- Space
- Fairies and fantasy
- Music
- The seasons
- Bright colors and playful patterns
While creativity is encouraged, these chairs are made to be used by real children, so they should remain:
- Safe and sturdy
- Fully functional
- Easy to clean
- Made with non-toxic materials
- Durable enough for everyday use
Please avoid delicate embellishments or materials that could easily break or become difficult to clean.
Artists are also welcome to include a small companion gift—such as a stuffed animal, children’s book, musical instrument, or toy—that complements the chair’s theme.
Important Dates
September 15, 2026
Completed chairs are due.
October 1, 2026
Your chair will be featured at our inaugural Lost Art Show, a celebration of art, reuse, and community held at the Portland Furniture Bank.
Alongside the Children’s Chairs, guests will browse donated handmade artwork and forgotten treasures, with proceeds supporting Community Warehouse’s mission.
Past Children’s Chair Artwork
Every year, local artists amaze us with their creativity. Here are just a few examples from past Children’s Chair collections.
Children with Chairs
If these photos don’t make you smile, we’re not sure what will.
Browse this gallery of children selecting their very own handcrafted chairs while visiting Community Warehouse with their families. These moments remind us that home isn’t just about having furniture—it’s about creating spaces where children can feel welcomed, celebrated, and inspired.
