The 2026 exhibition will open in October at Charlestown Library and SEEN@Swansea.
About the Waste to Art Exhibition
Waste to Art is an annual art exhibition that has been running since 2018. It showcases thought-provoking artworks created by community members, artists, groups, and students from across the Lake Macquarie.

Waste to Art gives us some pause to think about the items that are all around us; what they are made from, their purpose and the value of those materials that would otherwise end up in landfill or littering our waterways.

The exhibition invites us all to reflect on the waste our lives, the impact it has and what we can do to transition to a more sustainable future.
​Contact [email protected] for more information or to subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

​Waste to Art exhibits at Launchpad@Lake Mac Libraries from October to January each year. 
​Some of the amazing artworks from previous years
See the full collection from previous years in our Waste to Art exhibition guides.
Sharing their inspiration: Mardi Lee from ReNewy Living interviews the 2025 Exhibition winners.
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Waste to Art Education Kit
Thank you to volunteer Crystal for developing this 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
Artist information - key dates for 2026 - 2027
  • Friday 29 May - Registrations Open
  • Saturday September 12 - Artwork registrations close
  • Friday September 25 - Artworks confirmed
  • Friday October 2 - Artworks completed. Artwork images and label information submitted.
  • Friday October 9 - Artwork location advised (Charlestown / Swansea)
  • Tuesday 20 - Wednesday 21 October, 2026 Delivery of artwork to either Swansea or Charlestown location.
  • Friday October 23 - Opening night - Charlestown
  • October 23, 2026 - January 9, 2027 - Waste to Art Exhibition
  • Saturday January 9, 2027 - Awards morning tea at Charlestown
  • January 11, 2027 - Artworks collected from Swansea and Charlestown
Keep in Touch
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Questions?
Contact the Waste to Art Coordinator for more information.
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