To engage people in your community in creative reuse, a recycled art contest is a great way to inspire people from many ages and backgrounds. You can listen to my podcast episode about how to organize a recycled art contest and my experience attending one in Baltimore, Maryland. This originally aired December 2017.
I attended a recycled art contest in Baltimore hosted by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The contest was called Rethink Recycling and 2017 was the 16th year the contest took place. There were 61 entries from 21 high schools.
The sculptures were judged on three qualities – Creativity, Workmanship and Use of Materials. There was also a People’s Choice category where every guest could vote for their two favorite sculptures. One of my votes did win the People’s Choice award! This year’s Grand Prize winner made a piece called “Marry Me?” It was made with a mannequin, plastic forks and spoons, broken jewelry and paint.
At the end of this podcast, I talk about recent successes selling some of Trashmagination’s creations.
This is the one-year anniversary of this podcast and it’s also almost my birthday! It would be a great birthday present if you would leave a review. Here’s how to give a review with your iPhone or iPad.
Photos from Rethink Recycling 2017
![Rethink Recycling 2017 - recycled art contest hosted by the Maryland Department of the Environment](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1027-1024x768.jpg)
![Bicycle Art by David Clement, Jemicy Upper School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1026-e1512590049710-1024x1024.jpg)
![Recycled Art by Cindy Ceroll of Franklin High School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1021-e1512590153576-1024x1024.jpg)
![Car Recycled Art by Rei Rodriguez from South Carroll High School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1013-e1512590222620-1024x1024.jpg)
![Panda Recycled Art by Taylor Alexander of South Carroll High School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1012-e1512590384398-1024x1024.jpg)
![Gus (Recycled Art Portrait) by Colleen Avila, Linganore High School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1008-e1512590451846-1024x1024.jpg)
![Caterpillar Recycled Art by Laura Mateer, Liberty High School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1006-e1512590334634-1024x1024.jpg)
![Flower Recycled Art by Kyreem Cummings of Suitland High School - People's Choice Winner](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1002-e1512590275448-1024x1024.jpg)
![Sea Turtle Recycled Art by Gabi Gonzalez of Mount de Sales Academy](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0999-e1512590518903-768x1024.jpg)
![Paper Lungs recycled art by Sophie Smith of Mount de Sales Academy](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0995-e1512590895886-1024x1024.jpg)
![Trash fashion dress by Maria Cicone of Redeemer Classical Christian School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0994-e1512591042590-1024x1024.jpg)
![Recycled Purse by Rebecca Doyle of Redeemer Classical Christian School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0991-1024x1024.jpg)
![Uncle Sam recycled art by Rasheed Pierre-Louis of Glenelg Country School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0987-e1512590963812-1024x1024.jpg)
![Blue Crab recycled art by Vinny Tomarchio of Glenelg Country School](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0984-1024x1024.jpg)
![Fox from recycled packaging (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups)](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0983-e1512589858181-1024x1024.jpg)
Recycled Art Contests Held Annually
California
Marin County, California recycled art competition
South Bayside, California trash-to-art competition
Nevada
Nevada recycled art competition
New York
North Hempstead, New York recycled art contest
Ohio
Butler County, Ohio recycled art contest
Texas
Burleson County, Texas Big Spring Clean
Virginia
Manassas, Virginia – holds an annual outdoor recycled art contest
Recent Trashmagination Prototypes that Sold at a Recent Craft Sale
![Storage basket made from woven plastic bags, clementine wooden box and juice pouches by Trashmagination](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_0950-e1512592368544-1024x1024.jpg)
![Chris who bought the storage basket](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1046-1024x768.jpg)
![The family who adopted my TrashAnatomy shark](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1047-1024x768.jpg)
![She bought my first purse made from woven plastic bags!](https://trashmagination.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_1048-1024x768.jpg)
Mentioned in this Episode
- Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore
- Blick’s Mixed Media Contest – entries due in April 2018
- TrashAnatomy Shark
- Plastic Bag Weaving
Show Details
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- Script for this podcast episode about recycled art contests (not a transcript but gives the main ideas)
- The Trashmagination podcast theme music is Kitchen from the Marian Circle Drum Brigade.