Charleston County Sponsoring Recycled Art Competition

Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department is seeking participants for the 2012 Creative Recycling Art Contest. The art contest is being held to celebrate America Recycles Day 2012 in Charleston County.

America Recycles Day is recognized annually on November 15 to celebrate the successes of recycling while providing an educational platform to raise awareness about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling – every day throughout the year. America Recycles Day is a national initiative of nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB).

“Reusing or repurposing recyclable materials for alternative and innovative application within the arts helps to foster creative prospects for recycled materials. The purpose of this contest is to support the essential cycle of recycling by encouraging people to think creatively about our recyclables,” said Bronwyn Santos, Community Representative for Charleston County Environmental Management.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the County’s Creative Recycling Art Contest. An awards reception will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, at the Charleston County Main Library (68 Calhoun Street, Charleston).

There are two categories to enter:

• Students, grades 7-12
• Adults (18 years and older)

Students in grades 7-12 and adults may enter artwork that is created with a minimum of 70 percent recycled materials. First place winners in each category will receive a $300 gift card.

The deadline to submit artwork is 5 p.m. on Friday, November 2.

Detailed Criteria for Grades 7-12 and Adults (18 years and older) Categories:

• At least 70 percent of the materials used in the creation of your entry must be material diverted from disposal and reused.  Your art materials should consist of items that have been discarded and can be used again such as plastics, glass, metals, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, paperboard and old used items and parts. Art supplies such as glue, paint, markers, nails and staples are allowed.
• Art entries can be in any medium and take any visual form, including but not limited to sculpture, weaving, fashion, mosaics, ceramics, painting, etc.
• The size of art entries must not exceed 24 inches in height by 24 inches in width by 24 inches in diameter.
• Only one entry per person.

All art entries must be labeled so that each entry can be easily identified. Labels must be securely attached with name, address, phone number, school name, grade, art teacher, name of entry and medium description.

Prizes:

• First place student, grades 7-12: $300 gift card.
• First place in the adult (18 years and older) category: $300 gift card.
• Runner-up and Honorable Mention awards will be named in each category.

This art contest supports Charleston County’s recycling partnership with the Charleston County School District. Announced last year, this partnership fosters environmental sustainability within the school system and across the community.  In addition to collecting recyclable materials, Charleston County conducts waste assessments and provides a comprehensive education and outreach program for teachers and students through a school recycling representative. These actions in conjunction with CCSD Sustainable Schools Initiative will ultimately lead to a reduction in the amount of garbage generated and support County Council’s goal of a 40% recycling rate.

For more information on the Charleston County Creative Recycling Art Contest or to submit your contest entry, contact Bronwyn Santos, Charleston County Recycling, 13 Romney Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or call (843) 720-7112.