TRASHED ART CONTEST: Artists and artwork from the TrashedArt 2024 Contest are shown at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System. Art in this year’s contest will be on display in March and April.

In March and April, art will be displayed for the 16th Annual TrashedArt Contest at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System (MCLS). Patrons will have a chance to view photographs of the artwork and vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in-person at each of the nine branches and virtually on the MCLS’ website. Winners will be announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.

“The TrashedArt Contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging our residents to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m thrilled that Mercer County Libraries can continue to host this contest, and I can’t wait to see what creative works our contestants produce.”

The contest is limited to one entry per artist. Classes or groups may participate only if they register ahead of time. Visit  mcl.org/events/trashedart for details. The library will accept artwork no earlier than Tuesday, February 25 and no later than Tuesday, March 4. Selected artwork will be on display at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch throughout March and April. Adult patrons (ages 14 and up) who live, work, or go to school in Mercer County are eligible to participate.

Entries must be original artwork, no larger than 2.5’ by 2.5’ by 2.5’ and no heavier than 10 pounds Any art medium is acceptable, so long as a minimum of 75 percent recycled content is used. Some examples of recycled content include metals, paper, rubber, glass (but no sharp shards), plastic, and cloth. A recycled item is anything that has been manufactured and would have otherwise been thrown away. Non-recyclable materials such as glue, paint, tape, etc. are permitted. For the purposes of this contest, natural materials such as rocks, dirt, bones, and sticks are not considered recycled. The Mercer County Library System will not be held responsible for any damage, theft or loss to art entries.

Contest entry forms are available online at mcl.org/events/trashedart.  All accepted art entries will be publicly displayed at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System. Photographs of the artwork will be displayed in person at each branch of the Mercer County Library System and virtually on the Mercer County Library System’s website. The photographs will be used for patrons to vote for the “People’s Choice” awards, and to create a virtual gallery which will be shared on the Mercer County Library System’s social media channels and website. To view past virtual galleries, visit the Mercer County Library System’s YouTube Channel or visit  mcl.org/events/trashedart.

Entries will be anonymously judged by local artists and representatives of the Mercer County Library System on creativity, originality, and artistic merit. Judging will take place at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch before Wednesday, April 9. Grand prize winners in first, second, and third place will be awarded and announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Winners will have the opportunity to be featured on the MCLS “Behind the Books” podcast and featured on MCLS social media.

For more information about the library’s programs and events, visit mcl.org.