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Waste, sculpted into beautiful works of art, can carry an important environmental message. A great blue heron, a gorilla, a crab, and a rooster were among the winning sculptures at the MDE’s seventh annual “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Contest held on November 7th. The event marked MDE’s celebration of America Recycles Day, an annual event recognized nationally on November 15th. America Recycles Day unites business, environmental and civic groups, and local, state, and federal government agencies to promote recycling, reduce waste, and purchase products made from recycled materials.
MDE’s Sculpture Contest challenges students to innovatively and artistically use old and discarded materials. A total of 49 entries from 16 different high schools across the State contained everything from tires, milk jugs, chicken wire, and playing cards to computer parts and more. Overall winner Shawn Adams, of Northern Garrett High School, created a sculpture of a great blue heron from athletic shoes and scrap metal. She won a 32-inch Sharp LCD television for her efforts.
Contest judges tasked with determining the winners of the contest based on creativity, use of materials, and workmanship included Bev Reidinger, an award-winning Frederick County artist; Sara Michael, Baltimore Examiner journalist; and MDE Assistant Secretary Stephen Pattison.
In addition to Ms. Adams, the category winners were:
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Creativity: Tim Miller of Northern Garrett High School
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Workmanship: Vicki Johnson of Williamsport High School
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Use of Materials: Nicole Marken of South Carroll High School
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1st Place Peoples' Choice: Melissa Vigil of Gwynn Park High School
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2nd Place People’s Choice: Zoe Spafford of South Carroll High School
“This event brings awareness to the importance of recycling while encouraging the ingenuity of everyone,” said MDE Assistant Secretary Stephen Pattison. “Recycling not only reduces waste, it also saves energy and reduces greenhouse gasses. This is more important today than ever with rising energy prices and global warming.”
Sponsors who donated prizes, funding, and refreshments for this year’s were: the Soap & Detergent Association, the Maryland Recycling Network, Best Buy, Allied Waste Services, Sharp Electronics Corporation, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Constellation Energy, the Maryland Soft Drink Association, Sharp, Giant, and the Rehrig Pacific Company. Click here to find out what you can do to reduce waste. Remember, when it comes to recycling, “it all comes back to you.”
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