About the Trash to Treasure Art Challenge
The Trash to Treasure Art Challenge is a community art project that challenges us to consider the capacity for reuse of common items that are discarded, and how we can make more sustainable art by redefining our relationship to what we consider art materials and supplies.
It starts with a Community Cleanup during Earth Week, and ends with a group exhibition of found-object artwork! Participants are encouraged to clean up litter in their communities and use objects found in their cleanups to create artwork.
The goal of this art challenge is to encourage community members to use art to engage in public discourse, specifically exploring the intersection of individual self-expression, community identity, and environmental justice.
How to Participate
Create a work of art incorporating objects you find during a trash cleanup in order to participate in the challenge. We offer free found-object art classes during the challenge to help you complete a work of found-object art from start to finish.
Fill out our submission form and drop off your artwork by June 20 to be considered for inclusion the group exhibition.
Submit Your Artwork
Ready to submit a project for Trash to Treasure? Fill out the submission form here!
- 2026 Submission Form Deadline: June 20, 2026
- Artwork may be dropped off at Utica Creative Reuse June 17-20, 2026.
- Your submission must be dropped off by Saturday, June 20th to be considered for inclusion in the Trash to Treasure group exhibition, on view July 2026.
- Answers to other FAQs are at the bottom of this page!
Earth Week Community Cleanup
Join us for a group cleanup in celebration of Earth Week!
Earth Week Community Cleanup
What: Volunteer with us to clean up litter in celebration of Earth Week, and kick off our annual Trash to Treasure Art Challenge!
When: Saturday April 25, 2026
1:00pm Grab supplies for your cleanup
3:00pm (ish) Group photo with the final trash pile!
Where: Utica Creative Reuse
Address: 734 Columbia Street, Utica, NY 13502
Free Workshops:
Join us for a free workshop to learn more and practice different methods of creating found-object art!
Tips & Resources
- Safety Tips for Community Cleanups: General safety tips for picking up litter
- Found-Object Art Resources: Tutorials and resources for working with found-objects
- Creative Reuse Artists: Find inspiration from other artists
- Gallery: Trash to Treasure: See previous years’ Trash to Treasure exhibitions
FAQs
Do I have to live in Utica to participate in the art challenge?
You do NOT need to live in the city of Utica, NY to participate! If you want to participate in the gallery, you (or a representative) will need to be in Utica to deliver your artwork to the gallery in June 2026, and retrieve it at the end of the exhibition.
Can I submit a group project?
You can cleanup or create artwork as a group! Just be sure to let us know who is participating in your group in your submission form.
Where can I get cleanup materials?
Trash bags, high visibility vests, and gloves are available at Utica Creative Reuse.
What are the rules for submitting artwork?
- You must participate in cleaning up trash in your community
- Your artwork must incorporate trash or found objects from that cleanup
- Artwork must be submitted and dropped off at Utica Creative Reuse by June 20, 2026 to be considered for our gallery exhibition in July 2026.
How do you decide which works will be included in the gallery exhibition?
Our goal is to include as many submitted works as possible in the group exhibition! We are limited by available space in the gallery and the number of submissions received. Be sure to complete the submission form before you drop off your work to help us determine how all of the artwork will fit together in the gallery, so that we can include as many submissions as possible.
Can I use items other than trash to create my artwork?
Yes! You can work with any other materials (paint, paper, clay, wood, mortar, etc.) as long as your finished artwork incorporates some amount of trash or found objects from your community cleanup.
What are some examples of trash art?
Check out some amazing reuse artists who incorporate trash and found objects in their work on our Creative Reuse Artists page!
How do I document my cleanup?
Please be prepared to submit the following information with your art project:
- Date and location of your cleanup(s)
- How much garbage did you collect (number and size of bags filled)?
- At least one photo documenting your cleanup efforts
- *If you are unable to take a photo of your cleanup, you can still submit your project! Just make a note of the general area and date that you cleaned up litter in your submission
Utica Creative Reuse 