The highly anticipated Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase is now open at the Parkes Library and Cultural Centre, featuring over 120 innovative artworks created from reused and recycled materials. This community art exhibition and competition, open to all residents of the NetWaste region, challenges perceptions about 'rubbish' and celebrates the creative potential of waste.
This year, 14 Councils participated in the Waste 2 Art competition, with the winning artworks from local exhibitions across the region now on display in the Coventry Room at Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre. The exhibition, which opened last Saturday, showcases the innovation and creativity of artists of all ages, from preschool and school-aged children, to community groups and professional artists.
Parkes Shire residents made a significant mark on this year's competition, taking home several awards. We proudly congratulate Michelle Hazelton, who was awarded the overall Waste 2 Art winner for her intricate artwork, Entomology Collection.
Michelle reflected on her involvement in the competition.
"The clever themes of Waste 2 Art have allowed me to show some fun and creativity, while conveying the importance of recycling and saving valuable resources from landfill. Having trained and worked in fast-paced Graphic Design studios, I can conceptualise an idea and turn it into art quite quickly. I thrive on the thought process once given a theme or brief for an artwork," Michelle said.
"For the last 3 years I have entered the Waste 2 Art competition. Cost-saving on new art materials and finding new uses for objects are great reasons to participate in Waste 2 Art.
Parkes Shire Council is wonderfully committed to recycling. Currently, the Regional Waste 2 Art exhibition is on at the Parkes Cultural Centre. Visit and be inspired to enter next year. We all have a year to construct an artwork with the fun theme of Toys," she added.
Additional Parkes winners include:
Secondary 3D: Beau Longhurst for The Woodcutters
Community Functional: Beryl Twardy for From Moths to Mondrian
Creative Repair, Restore and Refurbish: Christine Somers for Swan (equal first)
Open 3D: Michelle Hazelton for Entomology Collection
Herb Clarke Memorial Award: John Grady for Therapy
Student Participation Award: Parkes Christian School K-2 for The Majestic Puppet Theatre
Sims Metal Award: John Grady for Therapy (equal first)
Highly Commended:
Community 3D: Max Davison for Seeing Red
Community 3D: Kay and Warren Gardiner for Enjoying the Sunshine
Open 3D: Michelle Hazelton for Bird on a Biscuit Tin
Open Functional: Deb Jones and Helen Standen for Take the Weight Off
Overall, 30 winners and 19 highly commended awards were announced, showcasing the immense talent and commitment to sustainability within the region.
Waste 2 Art encourages individuals, schools, and community groups to reuse materials that would otherwise be discarded, transforming them into thought-provoking art pieces. This year's theme focused on packaging, inspiring participants to repurpose materials like paper, cardboard, tin, and plastic into unique works of art, diverting them from landfill and giving them a second life.
The Waste 2 Art initiative offers an innovative approach to waste education, providing both aspiring and professional artists with a platform to explore and share their messages about waste reduction. As part of the opening ceremony, the theme for the 2025 competition was revealed: The Year of Toys.
The Waste 2 Art Regional Showcase is proudly sponsored by Sims Metal, NetWaste, and Parkes Shire Council. The exhibition will be open until the 31st of August, and we invite everyone to visit and be inspired by the creativity and sustainability on display.
