Planning a TrashedArt Contest Entry

Choosing what to make can sometimes be the biggest challenge when it comes to art. What materials should I use? What techniques? For the last 15 years, patrons have been turning to their recycling bins for art materials to enter in our annual TrashedArt Contest. Patrons have developed many strategies over the years to turn trash into treasure. Here are a few highlights:

Paper

Paper is one of the most commonly used materials for the TrashedArt Contest as many patrons accumulate paper they wish to recycle. Paper is also a fairly flexible material that works well in many different types of projects. It can be used for traditional art techniques, such as drawing or watercolor. It can also be used to create papier-mâché sculptures, origami or even bookbinding. 

In 2023, Audrey Jakab won Honorable Mention from the Hickory Corner Branch for “Elephant.” Her artwork was made out of a tin can and papier-mâché. It was a small, delicate elephant that was definitely a crowd-pleaser. For artists interested in trying out papier-mâché, check out Papier-mâché: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating More Than a Dozen Adorable Projects! by Sarah Hand.

Elephant – 2023

In 2019, Cathy Tsao won first place for “Thing.” She made a beautiful hourglass sculpture using origami. Each paper was folded into tiny, meticulous triangles that held together to form the design. Origami can take many forms, including realistic looking animals/creatures and abstract art. The Mercer County Library System has many books on origami, including: Fantastic Origami Flying Creatures: 24 Amazing Paper Models by Hisao Fukui, Fun and Easy Origami Animals: Full-color Instructions for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse, Origami Made Simple: 40 Easy Models with Step-by-Step Instructions by Russell Wood, and Have Fun with Origami 3D Flowers: Origami of Beautiful Flowers to Bring a Touch of Colour to Everyday Living by Hiromi Hayashi.

Thing and 23 Stellated Octohedrons – 2019

In 2022, we had two examples of homemade books. Molly Reinero created “Saved from the Trash Heap (of Memory).” She made each piece of paper by hand and bound them together herself using recycled materials. Each page was a different color, and when put together they formed a pastel rainbow. A patron named Eleni also created “Two Artist Books: Book of Hope; Counting Book” out of used business envelopes and cardboard separators from cat food purchased in bulk. With paint and creativity, the envelopes and cardboard were transformed into beautiful books. For more information about homemade books and bookbinding, check out Making Books: A Guide to Creating Handcrafted Books by the London Centre for Book Arts.

Saved from the Trash Heap (of Memory) - 2022

Two Artist Books: Book of Hope; Counting Book – 2022

Also in 2019, Dana created “Springtime in Bloom.” This art was made by paper quilling, or wrapping paper into tight circles to make unique designs. For artists interested in paper quilling, take a look at A Beginner's Guide to Quilling Paper Flowers by Motoko Maggie Nakatani.

Springtime in Bloom – 2019

For books on paper crafts in general there’s Paper Crafts: A Maker's Guide by Eleanor Crow and The Art of Papercraft by Helen Hiebert.

Stitch Makers

At the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, we have a program called “Stitch Makers.” Needle crafters of all kinds – knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, etc.- are invited to drop in to socialize and work on their projects. (Thank you, Librarian Kimberley, for your hard work with this and the take-home crafts!) Naturally, many patrons gravitate towards needlecraft for the TrashedArt Contest by crocheting plastic bags, knotting old t-shirts into bags, sewing buttons into masterpieces and quilting up memories.

In 2023, Georgina made a “Market Bag” out of fabric scraps. This bag was hand braided and knotted to create a beautiful design. To create a similar project using the macramé technique, check out the book Macrame: The Power of Knots by Nghi Ho.

(PICTURE – “Market bag – 2023”)

Market bag – 2023

Helene Plank, one of the original artists of the TrashedArt Contest, has a signature style for beautiful button mosaics. She hand sews each button onto a canvas to create artwork in the style of pointillism. In 2023, Helene won first place for her portrait of a woman called “Quiet Confidence.” To learn more about sewing techniques to use in your own creations, try The Complete Manual of Sewing: 120 Visual Lessons for Beginners by Catherine Mourin.

In 2021, DulceMaria painted an old pair of sneakers for their “Retro Pastel Shoes” entry. To learn more about turning well-loved clothes into TrashedArt, read Restyle & Restitch for Little Ones: 30 Simple Projects from Preloved Clothes by Linnéa Larsson and The Art of Custom Sneakers: How to Create One-of-a-Kind Kicks: Paint, Splatter, Dip, Drip & Color by Xavier Crews.

(PICTURE – “Retro Pastel shoes – 2021”)

Retro Pastel shoes – 2021

Michele Ben-Asher introduced the TrashedArt Contest to the concept of “plarning” or knitting and crocheting with plastic bags. She created many designs using this technique, including making small animals such as sea creatures and birds. To learn how to knit and crochet figures, the library has many books including: Tiny Felt Cuties & Creatures by Delilah Iris, Mini Crochet Creatures: 30 Amigurumi Animals to Aake by Lauren Bergstrom, Mini Amigurumi Animals: 26 Tiny Creatures to Crochet by Sarah Abbondio, Anyone Can Crochet Amigurumi Animals: 15 Adorable Crochet Patterns by Kristi Simpson, A Crochet World of Creepy Creatures and Cryptids: 40 Amigurumi Patterns for Adorable Monsters, Mythical Beings and More by Rikki Gustafson, and Crochet Amigurumi for Every Occasion: 21 Easy Projects to Celebrate Life's Happy Moments by Justine Tiu.

Quilting is another popular form of stitch-making. In 2022, Lori made a “Memory Quilt” out of old t-shirts and other fabric she wanted to remember. To make your own t-shirt quilt, check out The T-shirt Quilt Book: Create One-of-a-Kind Keepsakes - Make 8 Exciting Projects or Design Your Own by Lindsay Conner or, to give quilting a try, Startup Library - Quilting by Christa Watson and Farm & Folk Quilt Alchemy: A High-country Guide to Natural Dyeing and Making Heirloom Quilts from Scratch by Sara Larson Buscaglia.

(PICTURE – “Memory quilt – 2022”)

Memory quilt – 2022

Sculpture

A big part of the TrashedArt Contest is sculpture. Artists have tried many different types of sculpture. “Water Bottle Chair” by Amanda Hoffens won Honorable Mention from the Virtual Branch of the Mercer County Library System in 2023. A statue made out of trash found in a field called “The Hitchhiker” and made by Tara Martin won Honorable Mention from the Ewing Branch of the Mercer County Library System in 2023.

The Hitchhiker – 2023

Water Bottle Chair – 2023

Also in 2023, Kailash Sasne won Honorable Mention from the Robbinsville Branch for “Wreath of corks and peel.” The wreath utilized old corks from bottles and air-fryer dried orange peels. To try making your own wreath, check out The Wreath Recipe Book: Year-round Wreaths, Swags, and Other Decorations to Make with Seasonal Branches by Alethea Harampolis.

Wreath of corks and peel – 2023

Online Classes

In addition to our extensive print and eBook collection, we also have an online database called “Creativebug” full of virtual courses teaching different arts and crafts techniques. “Creativebug.com has thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.”

Whatever technique you decide, the library has lots of resources to help. For more information about the TrashedArt Contest, please check out TRASHEDart Contest - Mercer County Library System (mcl.org). We look forward to seeing your art!

- by Julia, Lawrence Branch