Students Create Artwork And Help Environment

Ginna Woo is only 16, but she has high aspirations.

“I see a big opportunity in starting a career in engineering,” she said.

Specifically, the Land O’ Lakes High 10th-grader wants to design things – things that will make the world a better place, things that will help stop global warming.

This month, Ginna has combined her love of design and the environment by participating in the 14th annual Pasco Art of Recycling, a high school art competition that promotes both art and recycling. Students create artwork using recycled items. At least 70 percent of each piece must be recycled or constructed from discarded or used materials.

The lobby of the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road in New Port Richey, is transformed into an art gallery for the event, which is a joint effort between the Pasco County school board, Pasco County Utilities, Pasco County Public Services and the Pasco Fine Arts Council. This year, it runs through March 2.

“It’s fun, and it’s educational,” said Jennifer Seney, Pasco County’s recycling coordinator. “I’d like recycling to be happy for people. Then maybe more people would do it.”

On Feb. 4, students and their parents and teachers brought artwork by the carloads to the government center.

“We’re definitely going to run out of pedestals,” said Ann Larsen, director of the Pasco Arts Council, as she helped sort through all of the submissions.

Program coordinators typically receive about 100 pieces of art each year, said Karen Bryant, the Pasco school district’s recycling coordinator. This year, Pasco Art of Recycling received $4,707 in total corporate and individual sponsorship. Exactly $1,000 of that is given to a graduating 12th-grader as a Pasco Art of Recycling scholarship. The rest is used for 13 cash awards that are given for the best pieces in various categories, such as Best Use of Newspaper and Best Environmental Concept.

Three independent evaluators from the Pasco Arts Council will judge the artwork. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony on Feb. 16 at the government center. After the exhibition, winning artwork will be displayed at the school board offices in Land O’ Lakes through March 30.

“I like that (the program) gives the students a chance to show their creativity, and it gives them a chance to help the environment at the same time,” Bryant said.

Students dropped off tin can animals, Styrofoam figures, glass mosaic turtles, book robots and other creative sculptures, mobiles and wall hangings. One student from Wesley Chapel had even made a working kaleidoscope out of recycled materials.

“Oh, I love the little pig,” Bryant said, as she picked up a hot pink sculpture made of aluminum soda cans and paper maché. “He’s so pink.”

Ginna’s piece is a drawing of several recyclable items with a sculpture of a hand holding the earth coming up out of the center. Ginna said it has a special meaning.

“I want to show that one person can make a big difference,” she said. “One person can change the world.”