Trash Art

Posted on July 7, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized |

jessica1 by Jessica

This summer SmartPower’s interns will be offering some fresh views on how to be Energy Smart as they immerse themselves in clean energy and energy efficiency.

Hello again! I should probably preface this entry with some information about myself… I am an art education major, and my thoughts are consumed by light-hearted, fun, and creative ways to accomplish daily activities. That being said, I feel that you can continue reading my posts prepared to quirkily smile in response. My hope is that my thoughts, at least one, will motivate you to act!

I wonder how many people screamed “DARK PARTY�? in the past week. Anyone? Come on… don’t be scared! It’s fun, I promise.

I don’t know how many of you out there have kids, or maybe there are other sufferers of Peter Pan syndrome, like myself. Here is a little activity one might do with all the stuff you would otherwise throw away in your house.

Trash Art. We are all guilty of at one point or another consuming foods, beverages, what have you, that come prepared in those lovely little plastic containers. Whether it be toilet paper/ paper towel rolls, microwavable meals containers, canned chips that once you pop you can’t stop, sports drinks, boxes, egg cartons, maybe you even order Chinese food and you are left with those lovely take out boxes. Well, if you aren’t aware, those are ALL recyclable items (so stop throwing them in the trash!). If one day you are looking for something to do with your “chitlins�?, grab some hot glue, some of those ridiculous glitter glue sticks, maybe some of those leftover brightly colored party decorations and clear a nice large space to work. Throw down all the material on the ground (would be best if it was all cleaned properly), and start brainstorming what could be made of these items. Take about ten minutes for the brainstorming, maybe look at books, or magazines.

See how many wacky things the kids can come up with, then pick one to focus on. Start by physically manipulating the items, putting them together in different ways. Then, start cutting, gluing, and having fun! Make sure the kids know how to properly use a hot glue gun (and I wouldn’t use school glue, takes entirely too long to dry, nothing will work properly or timely- and believe me you won’t want this to last ALL day). When you are done gluing and creating the skeletal structure, I find it easy to spray paint it all one color, so the different packaging and printing on items doesn’t confuse- but it’s optional. Then let them paint, glitter, attach those old streamers from that birthday party you threw, maybe some googley eyes, whatever!

Hope you enjoy this project, and I can’t wait to read what fabulous creations come from it! Just think, those items may or may not have had the bleak and unfortunate future of sitting in a landfill, and now you have given them life, and beauty! Give yourself a pat on the back!

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