VISUAL ARTS

Contact : Casey Eckels 1-888-828-8242  or ceckels@trash2treasurefl.org

1100 NW 53rd Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Creative Reuse Center Announces “Trash-2-Art” Competition and Exhibit in Celebration of Planet Earth


Trash to Treasure, Broward County’s “open to all” creative reuse center, is excited to announce our fourth annual “Trash-2-Art”, an innovative art competition and exhibit designed to spread the word about the importance of reducing consumption and reusing materials in celebration of Planet Earth. Trash to Treasure, which opened its doors in May 2007, is a 501-c 3 not-for-profit organization operating a Reuse Center bursting with potential treasures which would have been thrown away by businesses and residents if not for the Center. According to Executive Director Casey Eckels, "Trash 2 Art demonstrates the creative potential of resources we have literally all around us that can be used to produce art that is interesting, educational, and beautiful. We as a community need to rethink what we have in our own backyard. Our goal is to use our imagination while honoring resources available in abundance.”

The exhibition runs from September 10th through October 1st at JM Family Enterprise Gallery at ArtServe, 1350 East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. The opening reception will be Thursday, September 15th, from 6 to 8 PM. Complimentary refreshments, including a wine bar, and live music will be available. Prizes will be awarded for category winners for students (k-5, 6-8, and 9-12), amateur artist and professional artist. There will also be a “People’s Choice” award based on voting at the reception. Sponsors this year include Choice Environmental Systems, CITRIX, Emerald Isle Recycling, LeBistro, and Whole Foods – Ft. Lauderdale. The exhibit will be available for viewing between Monday, September 12th, and Friday, September 30th.


The“Trash-2-Art”competition is open to South Florida residents with judging based on the creative reuse of repurposed, or scrap materials typically found at the Trash to Treasure warehouse. A new feature this year will be FREE WORKSHOPS (July 30th and August 3rd) for those who would like to participate, but are not sure where to start. Entries are welcome from children, K-12, amateur artists and professional artists. Registration forms for “Trash-2-Art” can be found on the Center’s website www.trash2treasurefl.org. There is a $25 entry fee for non-members for up to three (3) pieces and a $10 entry fee for members. There is no fee for the first twenty (20) children (K-12th grade).


Trash to Treasure is located at 1100 NW 53rd Street in Fort Lauderdale. The Center also offers workshops to educators and others looking for new ways to creatively re-use materials. Current items available in the Center’s warehouse include scrap metal, tile, glass, art supplies, varieties of paper, yards of rich fabrics, wallpaper books, computer disks and CDs, costume jewelry, buttons, tiles, caps, beads, and so much more. Check out the website at www.trash2treasurefl.org/materials.php to see more or call 1-888-828-8242.