Local artists turn trash into treasure

One man's junk became another man's art project for Western Nevada Community College's fifth annual Recycled Art(icles) Contest this week.

"This is a contest that anybody can have fun with and be creative with," said Anne Hansen, director of marketing and information at the college. "You have 6-year-old kids that have fun with it. Our own art teacher is doing stuff and senior citizens who are taking classes enter it."

The contest is sponsored by the WNCC Recycling Committee and the United Students Association to raise awareness about the environment and recycling.

"Every town, Carson City included, has to face the issue of landfills. They don't last forever," said Ed Kingham, this year's contest chairman. "At the college in particular we use a lot of garbage so we're just trying to be responsible about the way we dispose of it."

The contest is open to the public as well as WNCC students and staff. Artists are allowed one entry per person and must use materials that were previously used for something else.

Exhibits will be on display until April 28. Entries will be judged today by Mayor Ray Masayko and his wife, Diane.

"We try to bring in outside folks to judge usually," Kingham said.

Kingham said there were fewer entries this year than last, but the quality of art was better.

"I think they're the best quality we've ever had," he said. "There's a lot of artists of various levels around the area. The caliber of their stuff is pretty impressive."

Entries range from abstract pieces to more concrete pieces, such as a cobra made from bicycle parts and a chain.

Hansen said she was impressed with the variety of entries.

"Some are trying to make a statement about recycling and the environment," she said. "Some are just trying to find useful ways to use it (the garbage)."

The art contest has several categories including best of show, most creative and most useful.

Hansen said the show is well-known.

"It is one of our most popular shows," she said. "People drive long distances to see it."

The exhibit, which usually coincides with Earth Day, is designed to promote environmental awareness.

"Think how much trash got cleaned up just to do the artwork," Hansen said.