Before you throw away that damaged fire extinguisher or those broken pieces of pottery, take a second look. Could you possibly repurpose those items? Or turn them into art? Those questions occurred to Gayle Taylor, artist and business manager for the Verde Valley Sinfonietta, prompting her to organize The Art of Recycling…Turning Trash into Treasure, an art exhibit happening at Sedona Arts Center. The show opens Jan. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. and culminates in a live auction, awards ceremony and gala on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. Sedona Fire Chief Kris Kazian will serve as auctioneer. (Most of the art can also be purchased under a “Buy it Now” price structure; reserve bids can also be placed.) More than 40 artists were either invited or juried into the show, which will include approximately 50 pieces of art. A minimum of 75 percent of the materials used in each piece had to be repurposed, recycled or upcycled, says Gayle. The resulting art is sure to spark conversation.
“It was very important to us that this be a high-level art show,” says Gayle, who has a piece titled Transformational Synergy in the exhibit. “Our message to people is to stop throwing things out and start turning them into something else. We literally asked these artists to create a masterpiece.”
The artists will be competing for $4,000 in cash prizes. Anyone who visits the exhibit throughout the month of January will be invited to cast a ballot for their favorite piece. Winning artists will be announced at the gala. The art ranges in size from small boxes to an 8-foot-tall sculpture. (For a list of participating artists, visit the event website.) Each artwork includes a storyboard that lists the materials used and reveals the artist’s inspiration. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the nonprofit Sedona Arts Center.
The Art of Recycling is part of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s eARThflows event taking place the month of January. The event includes a green film festival at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre (Jan. 8-10) and a series of activities at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (Jan. 22-24). – Erika Ayn Finch.
MORE SEDONA ART GALLERIES: Shows, exhibitions and happenings
