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Trashformation: A Trash-to-Treasure Art Contest (2023)

The Louisville Zoo and LG&E and KU Foundation invite students in preschool through 12th grade to participate in our annual recycled art contest as part of Party for the Planet: A Month-Long Celebration of the Earth powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. 

To honor the earth and all it provides, this year, the contest is asking students to take a different approach to the items used to create their art. Pollinators are the theme for the art contest and students are encouraged to create pollinator-friendly items using primarily natural, found materials such as rocks, wood, sticks, leaves, bamboo, etc. Avoid purchasing new items to make the pollinator project. Repurposing items is highly encouraged. The goal is to make a shelter or place of rest for pollinators that resembles a natural, inviting habitat.

The Zoo suggests students consider making things like a bat house, a bird feeder, a bee house, or other items beneficial to pollinators that can be painted or embellished with found or recycled items to showcase their own style. The final projects should be placed in the student’s home garden, a neighborhood garden or a school garden to support pollinators in their area during the summer and fall of 2023.

The contest is open to students in Kentucky and southern Indiana.

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION FORM  (Registation appreciated by March 1, 2023)

ART SUBMISSION (Deadline:  April 4, 2023)

Winners will be announced on the Louisville Zoo’s Facebook and Twitter channels on Earth Day, April 22, 2023.

Rules

  • The contest is open to students (individuals and groups of 4 or more) in all grades from public, private, parochial schools and homeschoolers in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
  • The divisions are:
    • Individual: Preschool & Kindergarten
    • Individual: Grades 1 – 2
    • Individual: Grades 3 – 5
    • Individual: Grades 6 – 8
    • Individual: Grades 9 – 12
    • Group: Preschool & Kindergarten
    • Group: Grades 1 – 2
    • Group: Grades 3 – 5
    • Group: Grades 6 – 8
    • Group: Grades 9 – 12
  • Entries will be submitted online for judging virtually.
  • Registration at Louisvillezoo.org/trashformation/registration/ appreciated by March 1, 2023.
  • Students are asked to create pollinator-friendly items using found items. The Zoo suggests things like a bat house, a bird feeder, a bee house, or other items beneficial to pollinators that can be painted or embellished with found or recycled items to showcase their own style.
  •  The final projects should be placed in the student’s home garden, a neighborhood garden or a school garden to support pollinators in their area during the summer and fall of 2023.
  • Found items can be natural or man-made, but the goal is to avoid purchasing new items to make the pollinator project.
  • Repurposing items is highly encouraged.
  • Each student or group may submit only one entry. The submitted entries will be judged to determine the winners of each division.
  • Students can send up to 4 photos and/or one 20 second video to Louisvillezoo.org/trashformation/submission by April 4, 2023. The submitted visuals should show the front, side and back views. With the visual submission, please include full name, age, category, artist statement, material list, email and phone number. Please limit video submissions to 20 seconds.
  • Winners will be notified by call or email between April 13 – 17.
  • Winners will be invited to share their projects for display in the Zoo’s pollinator area near the Butterflies n’ Blooms exhibit beginning April 30 through September.
  • For questions or more information, please contact Kyle Shepherd at kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov or (502) 238-5331.