Sustainable Neighbourhoods
Waste to Art Exhibition 2021
Create an artwork
Sustainable Neighbourhoods is challenging the way we look at waste with the 2021 Waste to Art exhibition.

Registrations are now open.

Community members, artists, groups and school students from across the region are invited to create an artwork for our exhibition in October. Explore and share your ideas about waste, litter and overconsumption and showcase your artistic ability.

Artwork entries may be constructed from waste, or communicate waste related issues. The artworks may be sculptural, imagery (eg painting, photography, illustration, collage) or functional objects (eg furniture, wearable items etc).
Terms and conditions apply.

This year our exhibition will be held from 9 October to 18 December across four locations in Belmont, Charlestown, Swansea and Toronto.

Start collecting materials and creating your artworks. Registrations close 31 August 2021.
Register now
Key dates 2021
  • Tuesday 31 August: Artwork registrations close
  • Monday 13 September: Notice to successful artists, and allocation of artworks to exhibition locations
  • Monday 20 September: Artworks completed. Images and Artwork Information submitted.
  • Week of 27 September TBC: Artwork deliveries to exhibition venue. Details TBC
  • 9 October - 18 December: Waste to Art Exhibition
  • 20-23 December: Artworks collected from exhibition venues
2021 Waste to Art exhibition details
9 October – 18 December 2021
The exhibition will be held over four different exhibition spaces at Lake Mac Library Launchpad spaces. Visit library.lakemac.com.au/Visit/Locations for branch opening times.
  • Launchpad@Belmont, 19 Ernest Street, Belmont
  • Launchpad@Charlestown, Cnr Smith and Ridley Streets, Charlestown
  • Launchpad@Swansea, Swansea Centre, 228 Pacific Highway, Swansea
  • Launchpad@Toronto, Cnr Pemell Street and Brighton Avenue, Toronto
Picture
Caves Beach Crop Swap - Rubbish Reef. Image: Mardi Lee
Picture
Ben Gibson - Recycled Skate Wood. Image: Mardi Lee
Picture
Dudley Public School - Gurtle the Turtle, Deep Sea Giant, and Rainbow Waters. Image: Mardi Lee
Picture
Alexandra Cottle - Hermit Crab. Image: Mardi Lee
Waste to Art Education Kit
We have developed an Education Kit to support participation in Waste to Art.
The kit is suitable to support teachers to deliver Waste to Art activities with their students. The kit will also be useful to community and other artists who are interested in:
  • Key concepts and opportunities around delivering a Waste to Art unit of work in the classroom
  • Considerations of good environmental practice in artwork creation
  • Links to a range of local teaching resources and lesson plans
  • Inspiration and examples of contemporary artists who work with waste materials
  • Curriculum links
Download a copy of the Education Kit
Waste to Art 2021 volunteer roles now open
Here’s an opportunity to lead the delivery of the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Waste to Art project in 2021.
A number of volunteer roles are available, offering practical experience in all aspects of project management, arts administration, event management and marketing.
Contribute to local sustainability and help change how our community thinks about waste.
Find out more.
See Waste Differently
In this video, Mardi from French for Tuesday talks with Sam about how she uses waste differently, and is inspired by visiting the annual Waste to Art exhibition.
Creating couture from waste
Check out this great story created by French for Tuesday, talking with Melinda Hicks about her journey to create couture dresses from a variety of waste materials.
Melinda will have her newest creation on exhibition at Waste to Art 2020.
Keep up to date
Subscribe to the Sustainable Neighbourhood News email list to receive details of other Sustainable Neighbourhood events.
Questions?
Contact the Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance for more information.
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Follow us for inspiration, Waste to Art at home activities and more @waste_to_art_lake_mac.
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Check out the wonderful artworks submitted from previous Sustainable Neighbourhood projects
The project was originally inspired by two previous art exhibitions run by Sustainable Neighbourhood groups in West Wallsend District and Caves Beach – Swansea Area.

Waste to Art was established in 2018 to include the whole of Lake Macquarie and region, and has successfully delivered 3 major exhibitions.
Waste to Art 2020
Waste to Art 2019
Waste to Art 2018
The 2018 Waste to Art Exhibition was held at SEEN@Swansea.
Coast and Lake Marine Debris
School Art Competition
Caves Beach - Swansea Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group
Old Waste, New Art
West Wallsend District Sustainable Neighbourhood Group
This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.