Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2932

Date: October 14, 2008

Charleston County Sponsors Creative Recycling Art Contest for Students and Adults

            Entry deadline is Monday, Nov. 10 ― prizes awarded to winners in all categories

Charleston County’s Solid Waste & Recycling Department is seeking participants for the 2008 Creative Recycling Art Contest. The art contest is being held to celebrate America Recycles Day 2008 in Charleston County.

“The contest is designed to highlight the creative talents of Charleston County residents and to increase environmental awareness and good stewardship through recycling,” said Jenny Bloom, the Recycling Educator for Charleston County’s Solid Waste & Recycling Department.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the County’s Creative Recycling Art Contest, which is sponsored by the Charleston County Solid Waste & Recycling Department and the Charleston County Main Library.

An awards reception will be held for all entrants at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, which is America Recycles Day, at the Charleston County Main Library (75 Calhoun Street, Charleston).

There are two categories to enter:

-  Students, grades 7-12

-  Adults (18 years and older)

Students in grades 7-12 and adults may enter artwork that is created with a minimum of 70 percent recycled materials. The prize is a $300 savings bond for students and $300 in art supply and hardware store certificates for adults.

The deadline to submit artwork is 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10.

Detailed Criteria for Grades 7-12 and Adults (18 years and older) Categories:

• At least 70 percent of the materials used in the creation of your entry must be recycled. Recycled is defined as those materials that have been discarded and can be used again such as plastics, glass, metals, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, paperboard and old used items and parts. Art supplies such as glue, paint, markers, nails and staples are allowed.

• Art entries can be in any medium and take any visual form, including but not limited to sculpture, weaving, fashion, mosaics, ceramics, painting, etc.

• The size of art entries must not exceed 24 inches in height x 24 inches in width x 24 inches in diameter.

• Only one entry per person.

• All art entries must be labeled so that each entry can be easily identified. Labels must be securely attached with name, address, phone number, school name, grade, art teacher, name of entry and medium description.

• The deadline to submit artwork is 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10.

Prizes:

-  First place student, grades 7-12: $300 savings bond

-  First place in the adult (18 years and older) category: $300 in art supply and hardware store certificates

-  Runner-up and Honorable Mention awards will be named in each category.

America Recycles Day is celebrated year-round and culminates every Nov. 15 to remind citizens that recycling is working, and the important part each of us plays in its on-going success. The nationwide celebration is designed to encourage people to recycle and buy products made from recycled materials.

South Carolina has developed one of the nation’s top America Recycles state campaigns through the efforts of a statewide public and private steering committee. Various statewide programs and contests are offered each year to support the national America Recycles efforts.

For more information on the Charleston County Creative Recycling Art Contest or to submit your contest entry, contact Jenny Bloom, Charleston County Recycling, 13 Romney Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or call (843) 720-7111 ext. 28.