
WELDING WITH WASTE…Miranda Barnes from Trundle Central School worked on her school’s winning entry called Time in Chain, and entered her own work, which received a special mention. “I started welding about seven months ago and used my new skill to create something.”
The 47 entries into this year’s Waste to Art competition and exhibition have not only given the three judges a very tough task to pick the winners, but also look particularly well on display in a gallery setup in the newly refurbished Coventry Room.
Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton opened the exhibition on Monday night and told the packed venue the imagination of the entrants had astounded her. “The thought that has gone into each piece, and the physical making of it, is just wonderful.”
She said feedback from the three judges, Bill Jayet, Margot Jolly and Michael Chambers, was that the quality of entries had given them a headache in deciding on the winners. “They also commented on the artistry and talent of the entrants, and how well the pieces had been displayed in the exhibition.”
The theme for this year was steel and aluminium cans, and the winner of the yearly theme prize is Meredith Barber for her piece called Patio Flowers. She also won the Community 3D category with this piece.
The Special Category – Scrap Metal prize went to Helen Standen for Bloody Linen Dresses. She also won the Open 3D category with this entry.
Other category winners are: Middleton Public School (Building Sculpture 2D – Barugil); Rex Veal (Building Sculpture 3D – Chook RV); Ballantyne Family (Community 2D – Alice’s Garden); Ian Rowe (Communi-ty Functional – Shower of Enlightenment); Elsie Mahon (Open 2D – My Old Cot Quilt); Deb Jones (Open Functional – Scrap Bin Lamp); Blake McMahon (High School 3D – Jeff); Trundle Central School to Work (High School Functional – Time in Chain); Amarni Reidy (Primary 2D – Rainbow Magazine); Elijah Cole (Primary 3D – Viking Ship); and Kelsey Finnegan (Primary Functional – Fruitilicious).
The exhibition is open until 26th June and the winners will go through to the Regional Exhibition hosted by the Coonamble Shire Council.

Elsie Mahon won the Open 2D category with this piece she calls My Old Cot Quilt. When Elsie came across some parts of her old cot, the fond memories inspired her to create this artwork.

Meredith Barber called this Patio Flowers and she won the yearly theme prize and the Community 3D category with this piece.

Elsie Mahon won the Open 2D category with this piece she calls My Old Cot Quilt. When Elsie came across some parts of her old cot, the fond memories inspired her to create this artwork.