For the past five years, our annual blockbuster exhibit (where we cratively and artistically dive in to a traditionally non-arts topic) has attracted a large audience of teachers and school children, and this year is no exception. In the first four weeks of “Re: Rethink Recycling,†more than 350 students from Boyle and Garrard counties have learned how to imaginatively repurpose everyday objects into works of art. Classes from Marion, Casey and Mercer counties are expected in the coming weeks, and field trip reservations for public, private and homeschool groups are still being accepted.
Re: Rethink Recycling takes a look at the art of repurposing through interactive exhibits and activities. Students visit paper flower and origami creation stations, make music out of repurposed instruments and visit a gallery of professional artwork made from “found objects.†These examples teach the difference between reusing, repurposing and recycling, and explore other concepts in the humanities, critical thinking, government and civics.
Lindsay, our education director, worked hard to provide pre- and post-visit activities for the classroom that relate to Kentucky Common Core Standards, and many teachers take the initiative to create even more related activities that blur the lines between academic subjects.
“In math, we made a line plot of all of the experiences they had while attending,†said Julie Dexter, who brought her fifth grade class from Hogsett Elementary. “Then they voted on their one favorite, so each child would be represented and our data could be a true picture. We found that, out of forty-eight students, the clear favorite was the Junk Band Jam with 18 votes, followed by the garden and the garden’s tunnel.â€
The art gallery and scavenger hunt received fewer votes. Arts Center staff took feedback from the Hogsett students about the scavenger hunt, resulting in a review of its content, added clip boards and new pencils, to improve the experience of subsequent visiting school groups.
Although the exhibit is primarily geared toward Pre-K through 8th grade classes, high school students and adults have also found the exhibit enlightening and engaging.
“High school students are used to working with less than ideal art supplies,†said Kristin Long, art teacher at Garrard County High School. “As students, most of them can’t afford top notch materials. When my students saw that real art was being made from recycled materials and being displayed in a gallery, they were impressed. I could tell that they had new inspiration to explore the materials that they have available around them. I believe that I’ll see the impact of this exhibit in my classroom as well as our community. Several students mentioned that they may try some of the techniques displayed for prom or church decorations.â€
Field trip reservations are still being accepted for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through the end of March, through this online registration link. A discounted rate of $3 per student and chaperone is available for school groups that bring 20 or more people.
Re is also open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $4 for children, students and seniors, and $6 for adults. Children three years of age and younger are admitted free.
Poke around the Re page on our website to learn more, or call us at 859-236-4054 with your questions and feedback! We’d love to hear from you.
Chelsea Compton
Marketing Director
chelsea@communityartscenter.net
Pictured above, top: Programming Director Brandon Long shows a group of first graders from Jennie Rogers Elementary how a jet pack was created from repurposed and found materials. (If only it were a fully-funcioning jet pack!)
Also pictured above: Brandon greets a group of Hogsett Elementary kindergartners in the Re exhibit garden and explains the differences between recycling, reusing and repurposing.
IF YOU GO
Re: Rethink Recycling
Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
$4 children, students and seniors. $6 adults.
COMING UP
Creative REuse of Fine Linens
Saturdays, March 8 & 22, 1 p.m.
$40. Register now
REprints: Traditional Paper and Print-making
Saturdays, March 15 & 29, 1 p.m.
$30. Register now
JUST ANNOUNCED
Intro to Irish Dance
Wednesdays, April 9 – May 29
Youth (Ages 5 – 14): 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. $60. Register now.
Teen/Adult (Ages 15+): 7 – 8 p.m. $60. Register now.
Intro to Acting
Tuesdays, April 1 – May 6, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
$45. Register now.
Scene Study
Tuesdays, April 1 – May 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
$45. Register now.
Characterization
Tuesdays, April 1 – May 6, 8 to 10 p.m.
$45. Register now.
