TrashedArt Contest Retrospective

The TrashedArt Contest has grown quite a bit over the past 17 years! Each year, member of the Mercer County community remake, reuse and renew items that would otherwise be recycled or trashed into unique and beautiful art. Here are some highlights from the past decade.

TrashedArt Contest 2016:

 

In 2016, we had 3 adult and 3 high school student winners in first, second and third place.

Helene Plank, a participant of the TrashedArt Contest since the Contest’s third year in 2012, won third place for “Iris Fantasia” (window ledge). To read more about Helene’s button art, check out the TrashedArt Contest interview from 2020: TrashedArt at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch – Part 1

Michele Ben-Asher won first place for the adult category in 2016 for “Jersey Birds.” She crocheted plastic bags into the unique design at the center of the table. To find out more about Ben-Asher’s art, visit: TrashedArt at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch – Part 2

Gene Dombroski won second place in the adult category for “Belgrade Catch!” (left side of the table). In 2014, Dombroski submitted “Springer” to the TrashedArt Contest. His artwork has turned into the TrashedArt Contest mascot as Springer’s wiry face appears on every flyer to this day.

TrashedArt Contest 2017:

It is always wonderful to see artists return to participate in the TrashedArt Contest. The artwork is always judged anonymously, however, so the judges (and patrons) find out who the winning artists are at the TrashedArt Contest Reception. Selected judges are given forms asking them to rate the artwork on a scale from 1-10 for the categories of creativity/originality, design and craftsmanship. The highest scores win. In 2017 we once again had 3 adult winners and 3 high school winners. The high school winners’ artwork was made from recycled cardboard and was part of a class project (on the right-hand side of the table).

TrashedArt Contest 2018:

On the left side of the table is the third-place adult winner “Spring Blossoms” by Connie Cruser. After experimenting with different techniques, Cruser used plastic spoons that would be discarded to create unique works of art. To find out more about Cruser’s art, visit: TrashedArt at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch – Part 2

TrashedArt Contest 2019:

In 2019, Cathy Tsao won for “Thing.” She is now a two-time TrashedArt Contest champion, winning again in 2024 for “American Bull.” For more information on Tsao’s art, visit: TrashedArt at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch – Part 1

TrashedArt Contest 2020:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all MCLS programs needed to convert to a virtual format in 2020. We were able to pivot and put together a YouTube gallery of all of the submitted artwork and announce the winners on the MCLS Facebook page. Through lots of teamwork, we were able to keep the program going.

TrashedArt Contest 2021:

In 2021, we held the TrashedArt Contest virtually once again. Helene Plank won first place Adult for “Magical Muse” with 23% of the virtual vote. Amber won first place Student, and she returned to participate in many other TrashedArt Contests, contributing some amazing art pieces. The one seen here on the right is “Artificial Nature.”

TrashedArt Contest 2022:

2022 was the last year the TrashedArt Contest was completely virtual. Spriha won first place Adult for “Terrain.” All of the TrashedArt Contest galleries can be viewed on the MCLS TrashedArt Contest webpage at TrashedArt Contest - Mercer County Library System.

TrashedArt Contest 2023:

In 2023, we brought the TrashedArt Contest back in the building. Instead of just viewing the artwork at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, photos of all of the art were distributed to the MCLS branches for patrons to view and vote for their favorites.

This was the first year since 2019 that the TrashedArt Contest Reception was held inside. The really special part about the 2023 TrashedArt Contest Reception was the Mercer County Community College Jazz Band performing under the talented guidance of Scott Hornick. The students did such an excellent job that they have now become an important part of the TrashedArt Contest community, providing music at our TrashedArt Contest Receptions.

TrashedArt Contest 2024:

In 2024, we once again held the TrashedArt Contest virtually as well as in-person. We displayed the artwork at each of the MCLS branches before having it shipped to the Lawrence Headquarters Branch. This is a picture of some of the TrashedArt Contest artists with the winning art.

TrashedArt Contest 2025:

In 2025, a new class of high school students participated. In fact, for the first time in the history of the TrashedArt Contest, the first place Student won first place Overall, beating even the first place Adult, which is always a competitive title! Congratulations Shruthi for “Tangled Hope!”

Every year MCLS staff are encouraged to participate in the TrashedArt Contest in a separate, non-monetary category. Last year MCLS staff member Pam also won over Alana, longtime reigning MCLS staff champion.

TrashedArt Contest 2026:

Every year brings new, exciting art to the TrashedArt Contest. I am excited to see what our Mercer County artists will create this year! If you would like to learn more about MCLS resources to help kickstart your TrashedArt Contest entry, please visit: Planning a TrashedArt Contest Entry, or search the MCLS catalog directly for books and videos on “recycled art” and “art techniques.”

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to or supported the TrashedArt Contest over the years. We could not have done it without you!

By Julia, Lawrence Headquarters Branch