TRASHEDart Contest

We are hosting our 15th Annual TrashedArt Contest. Remake, Reuse and Renew the items you would recycle or throw in the trash into something unique and beautiful and rethink the usefulness of garbage. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art.

Contest Guidelines

Adults and teens (ages 14 and up) who live, work or go to school in Mercer County are eligible to participate. The contest is limited to one entry per artist.

Entries must be original artwork and no larger than 2.5′ x 2.5′ x 2.5′ and no heavier than 10 lbs.

Entries must use a minimum of 75% recycled content — metals, paper, rubber, glass (please, no sharp shards), plastic, cloth. A recycled item is one that has been manufactured and would be otherwise thrown away. Non-recyclable materials such as glue, paint, tape, etc. are permitted. For the purposes of this contest, natural materials such as rocks, dirt, bones, and sticks are not considered recycled.

Entries will be judged on creativity, originality and artistic merit. Artwork will be anonymously judged by local artists and representatives of the Mercer County Library System to determine grand prize winners in first, second and third place. Patrons can vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in person and virtually on the Mercer County Library System’s website.

How to Enter

New this year: Art entries must be submitted to your respective branches, and if accepted, the entry will be displayed at your branch beginning Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The Mercer County Library System is not responsible for any damage, theft or loss to art entries.

Entries must be dropped off between: Wednesday, February 28, and Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Tape a copy of the TrashedART 2024 Entry Form to the back of artwork. If the artist wishes to be considered for the People’s Choice Award, submit a photo of the artwork and the photo release form digitally (below).

Entries that have been selected for the final round of judging must be transported to the Lawrence Headquarters Branch by the artist between Monday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 27, 2024. If the art is not transported during this time, the art will be judged from the photograph submitted for the People’s Choice Award.

The Grand Prize winners in first, second and third place for adults, first place in a special student category, and People’s Choice award winners will be announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:30pm.

TrashedArt entries must be picked up by 4:30 pm on Sunday, April 28. If prior arrangements have not been made, any unclaimed entries will become the property of the library.

To view past virtual galleries, please see the following videos and blog posts:

Sponsored By

Friends of the Library Ewing Branch
Friends of the Library Hopewell Branch
Friends of the Lawrence Library
The Friends of the West Windsor Library are composed of neighborhood volunteers who work to promote and strengthen their local branch library by raising awareness about the group, the library and by raising funds for the benefit of the local library.