How did this idea originate?

In my school district, we only offer 2-D classes for artwork. We’ve never had a 3 dimensional class, so in order to do that it would cost a lot of money. Also, the students in their social studies classes have talked about going green and all the ways they can help the school and the community. So I figured, to take care of the cost and to coincide with what they are learning in social studies, Let’s do something about going green, using the materials that we have right now, I was in the process of moving into a new room; we had to get rid of some materials, so instead of getting rid of things I would normally throw into the garbage, let’s reuse those and make them into the sculptures.

This is made from recycled plywood and old textbooks

Have you done anything like this before?

Not like this, no. I do about 2-3 art shows a year. This is the first time we’ve been accepted into a real art gallery. This is the only show that this gallery has ever allowed student work. It’s normally professional artists, people who make art for a living. This is the first time they’ve accepted us as a student group and the first time that we’ve used recycled materials.  

Was there a lot of community support?

Definitely. We placed articles in the newspaper and the students sent home invitations. A lot of teachers came by and we even had an exchange program from California with 50 students who came in with their host families. We had a total of six to seven hundred people on the opening night going through the gallery.  

What were some of the reactions people had walking through the gallery?

Everyone loved it. I would walk up behind them and they would be making comments, trying to figure out what everything was made of, since every single thing was made of recycled materials. They couldn’t figure out how some of the things were put together. Normally, I just hear “Oh I like it. That looks cool.” Instead, they were really studying it, trying to figure out the whole process on how to make these sculptures. We sold just about half of our pieces in one night, which never happens. You’re lucky to sell one piece per show.  

This was constructed from wrenches and Christmas tree lights.

If you didn’t have the recycled materials, how much would this show cost?

My budget I had put together before coming up with this idea was about three thousand dollars.  We used recycled silverware: spoons, forks, knives. Also, some of the students used cupboards, wooden paneling, t-shirt screen printing boards, textbooks, phonebooks, reader’s digests, curtains, plaster, pop cans, recycled stretchers, and tools.

What would have happened to these materials if they had not been used in your project?

They would have went right in the garbage. The kids have kept track between the last few months the amount of silverware they throw out at lunch. They were saying, “Oh my God, we totally could have made something out of this!” They keep track of everything they throw out in everyday; you do that one day, and it’s pretty sad to see all that’s wasted. I know it’s hard to recycle everything, but it’s nice to be resourceful.

What do you think is important about the environmental impact of recycling?

To show people to be mindful of how you’re using things and seeing how you can reuse things and not be so quick to throw everything out. I feel like everyone in this society is “Throw it out, throw it out, throw it out.” Every time you get something, think “can you use this again?” I think that the community and students are more aware now.  

Using recycled plywood, clothing, and old art supplies, this student created an artist.

Has there been any community impact?

We have talked about doing something in the courtyard outside of the elementary school, using recycled materials.  

What other projects have you done in the community?

Last year, we worked with Simon and Larry Griffis. I brought my students to tour their outdoor gallery in Springfield, New York. They got to design their own four-foot sculpture and the community voted on their favorite. The favorite was built into a ten-foot sculpture, which was placed outside the school. We also do Art Alive every year where the kids pick their favorite famous painting and reenact it. They paint the background, dress up as the characters, and sit their for two-hours as part of a live art exhibit.

 What idea do you have for future projects?

Next year, my group of seniors is all girls. They want to do a fashion show; they will design their own clothing and sell it at the Palace. Half the proceeds will be going to breast cancer research, since all the girls, including myself, have known someone with breast cancer. So, not only will they get to share their art with the community, but they will be making a difference in the world, as well.