Submitted by the Lopez Library

The Lopez Library and the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District are excited to announce a call for original artworks to be included in a visionary community art exhibition at the Library, beginning the weekend of the Studio Tour (Sept. 4) and remaining on display until Oct. 15, 2020. The theme of the exhibit is “Creative Visions.” Artists working in any media are invited to submit works made exclusively from materials that are sourced from the Lopez Dump—either the Recycle Plaza and/or the Take It Or Leave It. This show aims to inspire local creativity and imagination to produce innovative, artistic, playful, futuristic, and even improbable solutions to issues the planet faces regarding waste and recycling. All displayed works will be celebrated, and additionally one work will be selected as a “winner” through a community voting process. The winning artist will receive a $200 prize.

Artists are welcome to work independently on their submissions, but they are encouraged to participate in an arts-based research project, guided by Nikyta Palmisani (LSWDD) and Malia Sanford (Lopez Library). Any artists interested in the research-based approach are invited to join an initial tour and informational group that will provide an overview of the current state of recycling, reuse, and waste. From there, artists will find the areas of inquiry they are interested in exploring and begin making work. If you are interested in participating in the research-based approach to your art making, please email nikytap@lopezsolidwaste.org. Youth artists are welcome and encouraged to join and submit their artworks. The organizers are announcing the call five months in advance, so that artists have plenty of time to gather their materials at the dump and work on their pieces. To submit your works for consideration in the exhibition, please email a digital image of your artwork (in JPEG format) to Malia Sanford, malia@lopezlibrary.org. The deadline to submit is Friday, Aug. 14.