THESE JAZZ BODIES are just one example of the different pieces of unique art made from recycled materials that is on display and available at the annual Recycled Arts Festival. More than 120 artists will showcase their art at this year’s event.
THIS GIANT SPIDER is actually a piece of art made from recycled materials that could be seen at last year’s Recycled Arts Festival. This year’s event will be held Sat., June 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., June 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Vancouver’s Esther Short Park.
A wide variety of unique art made from recycled materials, educational booths, entertainment and family-fun activities can all be found at the eighth annual Recycled Arts Festival this year, Sat., June 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., June 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Vancouver’s Esther Short Park, 301 W. 8th St.
“We will have over 120 artists this year,” said Sally Fisher, sustainability specialist with Clark County Environmental Services. “I actually cut back a little (this year), it was too crowded last year. We are aiming to have 25,000 attendees this year, weather permitting. If it rains folks stay home and if it’s too hot they disappear by early afternoon. So, we are hoping for about 75 degrees and sunny.”
The Recycled Arts Festival started out small years ago as a way to educate and get the community excited about waste reduction, reuse, recycling and a cleaner environment. The event has grown since then and now includes numerous artists, educational booths offering information on ways to recycle, help the environment, etc., entertainment on the main stage and family fun activities for children and parents.
Fisher said there will be ll educational booths offering information at this year’s festival, including organizations such as the Master Composter/Recycler Program, Planet Clark, Canines for Clean Water, Oregon Electric Vehicle Association and more.
The popular Tossed & Found experience will again be offered at this year’s Recycled Arts Festival, offering attendees a small glimpse into what people are throwing away at the transfer station. Items are collected at the transfer station for about two months prior to the festival event and are displayed for the public to view. Fisher said the point of the display is to show the types of things that are sent to the landfill when they should be donated for reuse, given to someone or put on www.2good2toss.com.
Following the Tossed & Found event, everything will be donated to an area thrift store where it will be available for purchase. The Tossed & Found experience is brought to the festival by Waste Connections, Inc. and Columbia Resource Center.
The main reason people come to the Recycled Arts Festival event every year though, according to Fisher, is the “incredible” art created by all of the artists.
“It is fun to guess what it is made from and amazing that they come up with the creative ideas that they have,” she said.
All of the artists at the Recycled Arts Festival create their artwork out of at least 75 percent recycled or reused materials. A sign located at each artists’ booth describes the materials they use and/or why they chose recycled art instead of using new materials.
Art on display and for sale at the festival includes clocks, wall art, clothing, hats, accessories, garden art, toys, wood furniture and much more.
This year, festival goers can also visit the Green Living Showcase just across 8th Street and get new ideas for creating a greener home, whether they are thinking of building new or remodeling what they have.
Entertainment of all types will be ongoing during the two days of the festival including Jugglemania, who will perform for guests and will include a chance for children to learn to do their own circus tricks on the lawn. Other entertainment on the main stage at the event will include musical performances and Will Hornyak, emcee and storyteller.
In addition to Jugglemania, family fun activities will include Heather Pearl, Stilt Walker; Rock ‘n’ Recycle (make musical instruments from recycled materials); and SCRAP will help children make a spinner toy out of recycled materials. This year’s festival will also offer activities from OMSI, KINK Radio will be in the park Sat., June 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Whole Foods will provide a children’s activity with prizes. The Sculpture Garden will also return this year with numerous entries, and there will be a People’s Choice vote on those.
There is limited on-street parking near Esther Short Park or parking available in a parking garage across the street just east of the corner of 6th Street and Columbia. As an alternative, bike to the Recycled Arts Festival this year and receive a free bike light. Bike parking is attended, secure and free, provided by Bike Clark County and the City of Vancouver. Look for this service in the southwest section of the park, on the grass between the clock tower and the gazebo.
Free parking is available at the Clark County Public Service Center, located at 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. A bike ride from there to the festival is just six blocks.
For more information on the Recycled Arts Festival, visit www.recycledartsfestival.com or contact Fisher at (360) 397-2121, ext. 4939 or email Sally.Fisher@clark.wa.gov.
Entertainment and activities schedule
Sat., June 29
• SupaDupa Marimba Bros,
9:30-10:15 a.m.
• Heather Pearl, Stilt Walker,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Rock ‘n’ Recycle,
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Jugglemania,
10:45-11:15 a.m.
• Level 2, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Third Street Band,
1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Too Loose, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
• Will Hornyak, both days,
between band performances
Sun., June 30
• Fadin’ by 9, 10-11 a.m.
• Heather Pearl, Stilt Walker,
11 a.m.-3 p.m. (stage show
11:30 a.m.-noon)
• SCRAP (make a spinner
toy), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Jugglemania,
11:30 a.m.-noon
• White Rhino Marimba
Band, 12:30-2 p.m.
• Boy and Bean,
2:30-3:45 p.m.
• Will Hornyak, both days,
between band performances
