What is the Upcycle Art Challenge?
“Upcycle Art Challenge” participants are invited to use “waste to save the world” by creating upcycled installation art for public display at multiple events.
United by the theme “sustainability,” the works will be temporarily placed at SVS organized art events, including multiple regional transit stops during our summer 2021 “Art Stops” activation. The works may also be displayed at SVS’s Spring Spark drive-thru May 21-23, depending on their availability.
Artists are encouraged to source their waste material locally and collaborate with SVS MoopYourCity waste collection dates for materials. More information coming soon on our MOOP Your City event in April.
Focusing on upcycled materials in the installations, we hope to inspire other artists, young and old, to consider alternative uses for materials that would otherwise end in the waste stream.
Ed Fletcher, President of Sacramento Valley Spark
Why is It Important?
Americans generate a whopping 250 million-plus tons of garbage every year, and an untold portion of it ends up on our streets and in our parks and waterways. This is a major factor in the alarming rise of microplastics in far corners of our planet; an estimated 80 percent of marine debris started as land-based trash.
If we are to stem a global tide of trash and save our wildlife, we must continue to find new and creative ways to Upcycle our trash – what better way to do that than through ART!
Funding
This program is generously supported through a grant from the city of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement Fund. Artists selected will receive a $1,000 honorarium as well as up to $1,000 for expenses. We anticipate three grants or more to be funded.
The Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed by a committee that includes Kathleen Hoffman, Kathy Zwern, Tiffany Allen, Maya Wallace and may include input from Rancho Cordova and Sacramento Regional Transit. Judges will base their selections on:
- Artistic merits of proposed work
- Adherence to theme
- Artist experience
- Proximity to the project area
- Use of up to 60% locally upcycled materials
- Diversity of participating artists
If selected, artists will need to put together a video of their creative process, highlighting the ways in which they used found objects as part of their piece which will be used in the program’s marketing campaign. Additionally, selected artists must have general liability insurance in place as well as additional coverage for theft and damage of works on display.
Important Dates
Dates for submission, acceptance and installation are as follows:
- Submissions for committee review are due by April 30 at 5:00pm
- The committee will notify artists they have been select by May 7
- Pieces must be completed and ready for installation by June 25
Sacramento Valley Spark, in conjunction with the city of Rancho Cordova, will have an unveiling of awarded pieces on July 10. More information will be available as the date draws near.
Q&A
- Is there a size limit for the pieces? Works should be under 15 feet high and be able to fit into two parking spaces side by side. They should also be able to be transported and setup within a number of hours.
- Can I submit more than one piece? You can submit more than one piece but only one piece per artist can be considered for selection.
- How long will the pieces be on display at the various locations? Pieces will be displayed at designated RT stations for up to 10 days and at certain Sacramento Valley Spark events in the region.
- If selected, where will my art piece be stored? Each artist is responsible for storing their own piece until such time as it is installed.
- What happens if my art piece is damaged while on display? All artists are responsible for reparing their own work should it be damaged
Share
Know someone who may be interested in participating in the challenge? Please share and spread the joy of creating sustainably!