McCandless’ 1st recyclable art show is all about turning trash into treasure

Tony LaRussa | Tuesday, August 13, 2019 1:18 p.m.

TOWN OF MCCANDLESS

This mural made from bottle caps on display at McCandless Town Hall is an example of how recycled material can be used to create art. The town will wrap up its first recycle art show at the North Hills Arts Center with a reception on Aug. 16, 2019. The winning pieces from the show will be displayed at McCandless Community Day on Sept. 14.

Friday is the last day to view a juried collection of art made from recyclable materials on display at the North Hills Art Center.

Those who can’t make it to the show can still see the best of the pieces during the McCandless Community Day celebration on Sept. 14 in Devlin Park.

Judges will announce the winning pieces from the show during a reception at the art center from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 16. The art center at 3432 Babcock Boulevard in Ross is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The idea for the art show was developed by the McCandless Environmental Advisory Committee to demonstrate what can be done with items that would otherwise be tossed in the trash, said John Bojorski, assistant to the McCandless town manager and the municipality’’s recycling coordinator.

“The goal was to demonstrate ways to be creative while promoting good environmental habits,” he said.

To give people an idea of what they could do with recycled material, environmental committee members and representatives from the art center helped families who attended the second anniversary for the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage Center on May 18 created a mural out of bottle caps.

The mural can be viewed in the lobby of Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.

Ann Harting, operations manager for the art center, said several artists who display their work there regularly use recycled materials ranging from furniture and scrap metal to old tools and paper.

But people need not be an artist to be creative with junk, Harting said.

“Just because a flower pot is broken doesn’t mean it can’t be used,” she said. “It can be turned on its side and still hold plants. And instead of throwing an old pair of rubber rain boots out, drill holes in the bottom for drainage and use them as planters. It just takes a little imagination.”