Entries are sought for the 17th Annual TrashedArt Contest at the Mercer County Library’s Lawrence Headquarters Branch. Patrons will have a chance to vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in-person at each of the nine branches and virtually on the MCLS website. Winners will be announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art.
“The TrashedArt Contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging our residents to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m thrilled that Mercer County Libraries can continue to host this contest, and I can’t wait to see what creative works our contestants produce.”
The contest is limited to one entry per artist. Classes or groups may participate only if they register ahead of time. Visit mcl.org/events/trashedart for details. The library will accept artwork no earlier than Tuesday, February 24, and no later than Tuesday, March 3. Selected artwork will be on display at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System throughout the month of March and April. Adult and student patrons (ages 14 and up) who live, work, or go to school in Mercer County are eligible to participate.
Entries must be original artwork, no larger than 2.5’ by 2.5’ by 2.5’ and no heavier than 10 pounds. Any art medium is acceptable, so long as a minimum of 75 percent recycled content is used.
Some examples of recycled content include metals, paper, rubber, glass (but no sharp shards), plastic and cloth. A recycled item is anything that has been manufactured and would have otherwise been thrown away. Non-recyclable materials such as glue, paint, tape, etc. are permitted. For the purposes of this contest, natural materials such as rocks, dirt, bones, and sticks are not considered recycled. The Mercer County Library System will not be held responsible for any damage, theft or loss to art entries.
Contest entry forms are available online at www.mcl.org/events/trashedart. All accepted art entries will be publicly displayed at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch. The Grand Prize winners in first, second and third place for adults and students will be awarded and announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception. Entries will be anonymously judged by local artists and representatives of the Mercer County Library System on creativity, originality, and artistic merit. Patrons will also have a chance to vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in-person at each of the Mercer County Library System branches and virtually through the MCLS website. Register online for the TrashedArt Reception at www.mcl.org.
Photographs of the artwork will be displayed virtually on the Mercer County Library System’s website. Patrons can vote for the “Virtual People’s Choice” awards online at www.mcl.org, and view the virtual gallery on the Mercer County Library System’s social media channels and website. To view past virtual galleries, visit the Mercer County Library System’s YouTube Channel (and search for “Virtual TrashedArt Reception Slideshow (2020),” “TrashedArt 2021 Virtual Contest Gallery,” “TrashedArt Contest 2022 Gallery,” and “TrashedArt Contest 2023 Video”).
For more information about the library’s programs and events visit www.mcl.org.
