Viewers of the inaugural Waste to Art competition have been “blown away” by the artistic capabilities of locals.
Entries in the Murrumbidgee Council are now on exhibition, and will visit each of the three communities in the council area.
The community art competition and exhibition invited schools, preschools, community groups and individuals to transform rubbish into art and design.
The winners of the ‘Love your own backyard’ themed competition were announced during the official opening at Kerri Weymouth Art Studio & Gallery in Coleambally.
Mayor Ruth McRae said they were amazed at the response to the competition, with more than 70 entries, and congratulated all the award recipients.
In the preschool and primary division/section, the winner was Ryder Billing and his artwork ‘Prime Eagle’.
Milla Rorato’s ‘Winter Blooms’ and Coleambally Preschool and Long Day Centre ‘I Made Pink Paper’ received highly commended awards.
Two winners were announced in the high school and community section - Travis Lawton’s ‘Long Horns’ and Heather Goudie’s ‘Nestling’s Feedtime’.
Gail Hibbert’s ‘Flying High’ and Bridgett McNeilly’s ‘Wasted Fortune’ received highly commended awards.
“The amount of artistic talent in our area is quite staggering and we’re very pleased to have provided an outlet for this,” Cr McRae said.
“The response also speaks volumes about our community and how people are motivated to get involved and take part in the fantastic things happening in our area.”
Cr McRae said this innovative art exhibition focuses on reused and recycled materials and so is an important part of our education campaign to challenge people’s views on what’s being sent to the landfill.
“The project supports our strategy of improving how we manage waste in line with the July start to the council-wide collection of organics (FOGO), recycling and garbage,” she said.
“It builds on the circular economy strategy, which focuses on extending the useful life of products and keeping them out of the landfill, particularly by recycling, composting and reusing.
“It really does challenge our attitudes about things that may have otherwise been thrown away. And what better way to do that than through art?”
The Waste to Art Exhibition is currently on display at Darlington Point until this Friday, from 10am to 3pm daily at the Murrumbidgee Shire Hall.
Hosted by Western Riverina Arts, there is no charge to view the exhibition and some artworks are for sale.
The exhibition's next and final stop is Jerilderie.
It will open on Tuesday at The Willows on Powell Street, and will be open 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Friday until August 8.
A people’s choice award is still up for grabs, with viewers invited to vote at the exhibitions.
The winner will be announced at the close of the Jerilderie exhibition.