Last year we received 105 entries from eight high schools in Chittenden County, and the caliber of contestants was off the charts. Students in grades 9 - 12 in Chittenden County are eligible to enter. There is no entry fee and no limit to the number of entries submitted by each student.

To view entries from past Creative ReUse Showcases, visit our Virtual Gallery.

Prizes: One entry will be selected as the winner in each of the categories listed below. Each winner will receive either a $100 gift certificate, a prize valued at $100, or a check for $100 from a local business sponsor. One Best In Show winner will receive a check for $200! Category winners and other select entries will be exhibited at the Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace from February 1st through February 17th. Students may choose to sell their creations during the exhibit.

Here's how it works:

STEP 1: Choose one of the following six categories for your piece

Awesome Art: sponsored by Boutilier's Art Center. This category encourages the creation of an art piece that makes the judges say “Wow, that's truly a work of art!” Aesthetics and craftsmanship are critical. Does this piece stand alone as a work of art? Does the planning and care in its design shine through?

Fabulous Fashion: sponsored by Ecco Clothes. Ever dream of being on Project Runway? This category provides an opportunity for all you fashion designers to make your mark and create a masterful piece of fashion. Some things to think about: Does the piece stand alone as a work of fashion? Does it balance innovation with utility, or is it stunning simply for how much it pushes the fashion limits?

Jammin' Junk: sponsored by Advance Music Center. What could be more creative than transforming your junk into a work of art that sings the praises of all things musical? Your jammin' junk piece might be made from broken musical materials, or actually be a musical instrument made from unrelated trash, or combine both elements into a truly noteworthy creation. Extra consideration given to submissions that actually make music.

Perfectly Practical: sponsored by The Outdoor Gear Exchange. Have old skies that are no longer fit for the slopes but you can't bear to throw away? What about all those flat bike tires? Imagine a second life for those items, turning them into something that others would find useful and practical. This category focuses on the creation of an item that could easily replace something else already in use. Key requirements: The art piece needs to be structurally sound and durable. Judges will also consider how easy the piece would be to replicate. Could someone build one themselves from readily available materials?

Techno Totems: sponsored by Small Dog Electronics. Electronics have revolutionized our lifestyle. Telephones, mp3 players, TVs, computers and cell phones are items we use daily. Advancements in technology, although great, encourage us to always go out and buy the latest and greatest model of our electronic gadget. Consequently, we accumulate more electronic items than we can manage, which means we have more to dispose of. This artistic piece makes a bold statement about the hazards of electronic waste (e-waste). The piece can be anything from a two-dimensional wall hanging to a three-dimensional sculpture and must follow the included safety guidelines for handling e-waste. Works of art will be judged on aesthetics, craftsmanship, and the relevance of the message.

True Trash: sponsored by All Cycle Waste. The overall theme of the Creative Reuse Showcase is to turn trash into treasure, but we often receive art submissions made from (gasp!) recyclable materials. Is that really reducing the amount of stuff that gets thrown away? Not if it could have, and should have been, recycled. This category is only for art pieces that take “true trash” bound for the landfill and turn it into a reusable structure or piece of art. Judges will give great importance to the best use of non-recyclable materials to create the masterpiece. The planning and care in the design of the piece needs to shine and the materials used need to exhibit strength, quality and durability.

Other prize categories
Please note that these are overarching themes that students should consider when creating their art. While the judges will select some pieces to receive awards based on these themes, students should NOT choose from these categories when entering their art. ALL submissions will be judged in the following four categories and will be awarded prizes valued at $100. Best In Show will receive $200.

Outrageously Original sponsored by Burlington City Arts. When we say outrageous and original we aren't kidding around. We want to see something that is truly original yet artistic. Are the materials unique, surprising and used creatively? Is the piece potentially the only one of its kind in Chittenden County? Is this piece quite possibly the most outrageous piece of artwork you have ever seen?

Strongest Statement: sponsored by Bolton Valley Ski Resort Often it isn't as much about the art as it is the words used to convey its message. This category focuses on the written statement that accompanies each art piece. Does the artist's written statement pertain at all to the project, the materials used, and chosen medium? Does the artist thoughtfully convey and creatively explain what the project means to them, what they learned in the process, and what their piece signifies? We often find that the best written statements make you look at the art differently and appreciate it more.

Best-In-Show: sponsored by NRG Systems. Top notch, top choice, beyond compare this award winner clearly demonstrates a unique idea brought to life by the use of unusual materials destined to end up in a Vermont landfill. The piece is durable and shows thoughtful craftsmanship.

People's Choice: sponsored by Frog Hollow. Make your art appeal to the masses. This award is chosen by the general public who vote for their favorite piece on display at the gallery.

STEP 2:
Gather used, found, or surplus materials and make art! Special Note: All art needs to be safe, with no sharps, toxic materials, or other hazards incorporated. Also, judges will look more favorably on pieces that are made from items that would otherwise go to the landfill (that is, things that can't be recycled in Chittenden County). Do not rely on hot-glue, since we have found that it does not hold well in the cold temperatures this artwork is subjected to during transport.

STEP 3:
Copy-and-paste the entry form below into a document or e-mail, complete the form as directed, and e-mail it to creativereuse@cswd.net no later than January 12th, 2010.

Student Name: _________________________________

Phone number: _________________________________

School: ________________________________________

Grade: _________

Art Teacher's Name: ______________________________

Name of Project: _________________________________

The Category for which you are submitting your art piece: _______________________________
(Note: All art pieces will be considered for Awesome Art, Outrageously Original and Strongest Statement)

Is your submission for sale? _______

If yes, for what price? __________

Artist's statement: In 150 words or less, explain what your art piece signifies. What does the piece mean to you and why were you inspired to create it?

STEP 4:
Deliver art to Adam's Farm Market (at the corner of Old Stage and Mountain View roads in Williston) on January 13th or 14th between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

STEP 5:
Visit The Showcase at Adam's Farm Market for a post-judging Open House on Saturday, January 23rd, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. and/or at the Awards Reception at Frog Hollow Gallery on February 17th, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

To view entries from past Creative ReUse Showcases, visit our Virtual Gallery.