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 booth describes the materials the artist uses and/or why they chose recycled art instead of new materials.
ART ITEMS ON DISPLAY and for sale at the Recyced Arts Festival include metal garden art, clothing, jewelry, woodworking, furniture, books and cards and more.
After starting out six years ago as a way to educate and get the community excited about waste reduction, reuse and recycling in Clark County, the Recycled Arts Festival has since grown into “a huge family event, with more and more artists participating every year.”
The seventh annual Recycled Arts Festival will be held Sat., June 23, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., June 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Esther Short Park in Vancouver. Sponsored by the Clark County Department of Environmental Services as a part of their ongoing effort to encourage waste reduction, reuse, recycling and a cleaner environment, the Recycled Arts Festival offers attendees numerous booths offering information and activities, the work of more than 100 artists, entertainment on the main stage, family fun and more. Corporate sponsor this year is Columbia Credit Union.
“I never dreamed it (the event) would get this big,” said Sally Fisher, sustainability specialist with Clark County Environmental Services. “The first year, we had about 30 artists and a few hundred people came through. This year, we have 135 artists and expect about 20,000 people weather permitting. It’s all about sun.”
There will be numerous area non-profit and government organizations that will have booths at the event, including the Master Gardener Program, Vancouver Watersheds Council, Canines for Clean Water and many more.
One of the well-known events at the Recycled Arts Festival is the Tossed & Found, which offers a glimpse into what people are disposing of at the transfer station. Fisher said they have been collecting perfectly good, reusable items, that people have decided to get rid of, from the transfer station for several months. These items will be displayed for public view during the festival and 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 2good2toss.com. The Tossed & Found Experience is brought to the festival by Waste Connections, Inc. and Columbia Resource Center.
After the festival, Fisher said all of the items on display will be given to Paws-N-Claws Thrift Store and the American Cancer Society thrift shops for purchase.
The 135 artists who will have work on display and for sale at the Recycled Arts Festival are also a big part of what draws attendees to the event. All of the artists at the event create their artwork out of at least 75 percent recycled or reused materials. A sign located at each booth describes the materials the artist uses and/or why they chose recycled art instead of using new materials. Some of the art items on display and available include clocks, wall art and home decor; clothing, hats and accessories; glass and porcelain garden art; jewelry; journals, books and cards; mats, rugs and textiles; metal garden art; totes, handbags and purses; toys; woodworking and furniture and more.
In addition to artists and educational information, the Recycled Arts Festival will also offer music and entertainment on the main stage all day, both days. Children will also have plenty of activities to keep them entertained at the event, including a storyteller, a stilt walker who juggles recycled materials and children’s crafts. On Sat., June 23, Fisher said Compass Church will make crafts with children out of recycled materials and this year they are creating musical instruments. Also, on Sun., June 24, an organization called SCRAP will be doing craft projects.
New this year, Fisher said they added a sculpture garden to display “some very impressive pieces of art,” including a fire-breathing dragon.
For more information on the Recycled Arts Festival, contact Fisher at (360) 397-2121, ext. 4352, by email at Sally.Fisher@clark.wa.gov or visit the Recycled Arts Festival website, www.recycledartsfestival.com.
Entertainment schedule for the main stage
Sat., June 23
• SupaDupa Marimba Bros,
10-10:45 a.m.
• The Reverb Brothers,
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
• Lincoln’s Beard,
12:45-2:15 p.m.
• Fadin’ by 9, 2:45-4 p.m.
• Too Loose, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Sun., June 24
• Third Street Band,
10-11 a.m.
• Heather Pearl Family
Show, 11:30 a.m.-noon
• White Rhino Marimba
Band, 12:30-2 p.m.
• Pagan Jug Band,
2:30-3:45 p.m.
