Recycled Art Exhibit on display through April 25; vote for the People's Choice

Water bottles. Scrap paper. Grocery sacks and old cans. It sounds like waste that should go into a recycling bin to hopefully become another useful item someday.

But local artists in Kokomo recently decided to put those items to use right away, creating engaging works for everyone to enjoy. Their efforts are currently on display at the Artworks Gallery in downtown.

Those bottles and cans have been transformed into puppy dogs, lamps, and even a praying mantis. The paper and grocery sacks now serve as part of a statue. Each piece shows that the things society readily discards still can have value and meaning, given proper attention and care.

The Recycled Art Exhibit has been on display all month, thanks to the cooperation of the Howard County Recycling District, and it will remain available to view through April 25.

In addition to enjoying the artworks, visitors are encouraged to pick their favorite work and cast a vote for it in a People's Choice Award competition, which will culminate with an awards ceremony at Artworks on Fri., April 4, as part of the city's First Friday celebration.

Artworks Gallery, 210 N. Main St., is open Monday through Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. For additional information, visit www.kaaonline.org or call 765-459-4579.

See additional photos featuring works from the Recycled Art Exhibit on the Lantern's Facebook page or group.