ATTENTION: Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns , all Recycled Art Contest activities have been postponed. We will update social media and our website with new dates as soon as they are established. Students who have registered to participate in this event will also receive communication in regards to a new artwork drop-off date and a new reception date as soon as we have that information.
To promote recycling and celebrate “Earth Day” (April 22), the York County Solid Waste Authority sponsors an annual Recycled Art Contest for York County High School students. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate and may submit artwork individually or as a team.
Participants must complete an application (which can be found below) in order to submit an art piece. The title of the artwork, name(s) of the artist(s) and medium used must be submitted to Mindy Waltemyer at m.waltemyer@ycswa.com by the due date. All entries must be completed and delivered to an art venue in York County on the established date. The delivery time window will be announced to participants.
A contest reception and award announcements will be held at Central Market on a date to be determined in the future. Contest awards are $600 in art supply gift certificates, split evenly between artist(s) and school, for first place, $400, split, for second place and $200, split, for third place.
Recycled Art Contest Application 2020
To learn more, download the Recycled Art Contest Guidelines 2020 about this program.
You can download the Recycled Art Contest Application 2020 in a PDF to fill out to mail or drop off at our facility or you may fill out this online email form to submit your application.
Each year, an artist “Picker Day” is held at Refindings, 465 East Prospect Street in York, for those who have registered to participate. Refindings generously donates free materials for Recycled Art Contest artists to use in their pieces.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2019 RECYCLED ART CONTEST:
In 2019, participating schools included Central York High School, Dallastown Area High School, Hanover Public High School, Kennard-Dale High School, Red Land High School, Red Lion Area High School, South Western High School, and York Suburban High School. Twenty-eight students participated.
The first place winner was “Washed Up” by Mackenzie Burns, Brylee Rine and Becca Waller of Red Land High School. A second place award was given to Sophie Castro of Kennard-Dale High School for her submission entitled “Lost Home”. The third place winner was “Cancer: Garbage of the Soul” by Emma Crumling and Lea Wilhelm of Central York
Prizes were awarded based on artistic technique, artistic expression and creative use of recycled materials. Judges were Rita Whitney, Director of Communications and Engagement at the York County Cultural Alliance; Victoria Kageni-Woodard, York area artist and fashion designer/owner of Gusa by Victoria, LLC; and Joaquin Calles Guzman, York area artist.
First place winner “Washed Up” by Mackenzie Burns, Brylee Rine and Becca Waller
Second place winner was “Lost Home” by Sophie Castro
Third place winner was “Cancer:Garbage of the Soul” by Emma Crumling and Lea Wilhelm
The following photos were taken during “Picker Day” held in February 2019 at Refindings where artists sifted through items and selected free materials to use in their recycled art projects:
