Roxanne Gallacher, Creative Learning Programs Coor-dinator at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre, is with Mirri, a winner from a previous competition, holding a Waste 2 Art entry form. Entries close today, 7th May at 5pm, while art works can be dropped off at the Library from Monday to Saturday next week.
Waste and art are not necessarily two concepts we would often combine in one sentence, but that is what the Waste 2 Art competition and exhibition is all about.
It gives artists the chance to explore and share their waste reduction messages whilst showcasing their artistic ability.
The annual event, which also suffered a cancellation under the COVID pandemic last year, is a highlight for creatives in the Parkes Shire and today, 7th May is the final day for entries for this year’s competition.
“It’s been a long time in the making with some people working on their entries for over 12 months,” said coordinator of the event in the Parkes Shire, Roxanne Gallacher. “It is fantastic to see people get excited and I’ve already received 20 entries for the ten categories so far,” she said on Tuesday.
As the aim of Waste 2 Art is to challenge perceptions about ‘rubbish’ and to celebrate the reuse and recycling of waste through arts and crafts, Parkes Shire Council will be hosting several community events during June as part of the event.
There will be a talk by Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers, a work-shop hosted by NetWaste’s Environmental Learning Adviser Sue Clarke, as well as a series of weaving workshops.
Roxanne secured an Arts OutWest micro-grant and Ronda Sharpe, local indigenous elder and artists, will present four weaving workshops using traditional Wiradjuri weaving methods, but with modern materials. In keeping with the theme of Waste 2 Art, participants will use old data cables (from computers, mobile phones and other charger cords) to create usable objects, such as bookmarks and baskets.
There will be two workshops for juniors and two for seniors on two Saturdays during June, dates to be confirmed.
Roxanne asked the public to please donate any old cables they might have at home until the end of May for the workshops.
The Waste 2 Art exhibition will officially open on Monday, 31st May at 6pm in the Coventry Room, and will be a standalone exhibition for the first time. It will run until Saturday, 26th June and will be open during library hours.
“It’s great to see the enthusiasm from our community for such a worthy cause,” said Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton.
Entries can be submitted online via www.visitparkes.com.au or in person at the Parkes Shire Library. For any further enquiries, contact Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101 or via email at roxanne.gallacher@parkes.nsw.gov.au.