You’re invited to create a piece of art that illustrates the theme ‘circular economy’ to celebrate the upcoming opening of the Southern Materials Recycling Facility (SMRF).
A collaboration between the Southern Region Waste Resource Authority (SRWRA) and cities of Onkaparinga, Holdfast Bay and Marion, the SRWRA School Recycled Art Competition is open now for registrations, open to schools in the three council areas.
Students are invited to create a piece of art—either wall art or sculpture—using use any medium or combination of media, as long as the work meets the requirements designated in the competition rules.
The winning class will be invited to present their artwork at the launch of the new SMRF at Seaford Heights, which is where all yellow bin recyclables from the three councils will be processed.
The artwork will also be displayed in the facility’s education centre, and the winner, along with two runners-up, will receive bench seats for their school made from recycled soft plastic (from the stuff dropped off at local supermarkets) valued at $550 each.
City of Onkaparinga Waste and Recycling Education Officer Lynda Wedding said while the artwork should address the circular economy theme, the art’s subject matter can take many shapes.
“It could focus on how to avoid or reduce waste through recycling; document the processing life of materials or explore new technologies involved in showcasing how, by designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems, we can reinvent everything,” she said.
“These are just a few ideas, and should no way limit the artist into how the theme can be represented.
“Ultimately, the competition will give students a means to express how they feel about environmental sustainability in the world in which they live, with a focus on their local area.
“It will give students a platform to raise awareness about the environmental issues important to them and move others to take action through the creation of their work.
“It will engage students in inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking relating to waste and unwanted resources produced, and the path these materials take after use in the school or at home.
“And finally, it will offer a way for students to demonstrate these learnings, in alignment with the Australian Curriculum and the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) approach to problem-based learning.”
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday 18 June 2021 and all completed registration forms and appropriate consent forms must be submitted to each school’s relevant Waste and Recycling Education Officer.
Art submissions must be delivered to each school’s respective council by 4pm on Friday 2 July 2021, and must be accompanied by a printed copy of the completed registration form.
Head to the City of Onkaparinga website for more information on competition rules, judging, prizes and registration.