We all try our best to reduce, reuse, and recycle on a daily basis, but artists seem to know how to create beauty from these discarded materials, and for this we should be grateful. To illustrate this point, eco-conscious artists from New Mexico and beyond will come together for the country’s largest and oldest recycled art market, the 23rd Annual Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, which is dedicated to showcasing this unique artform.
This year the Trash Fashion & Costume Contest will return to kick-off the fun on Friday night after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The festival also includes an inspiring art market, student and adult juried art exhibits, and make and take art activities. The 23rd Annual Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival runs November 11 – 13, 2022, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.
Each year the event attracts over 3500 art-lovers from around Santa Fe, across New Mexico and the country as a whole with art deals, family-friendly art making activities, gallery-worthy exhibits and perfect gifts. Artists travel from all over New Mexico and beyond to participate. More than 90 artists are juried in from as far away as Illinois, California, New York and beyond to offer their original pieces for sale. Santa Fe itself boasts numerous recycled-media artists, many of whom have participated in the event since its inception.
All art in this event consists of a minimum of 75% recycled materials – everything from vintage kimonos turned into beautiful earrings to scrap metal sculptures. Artists successfully upcycle trash into treasure, combining recycling and innovation to show creative ways to save our resources, while making one of a kind art. The event demonstrates the resourcefulness of the artists and has grown into a powerful economic development tool for existing and emerging artists.
As stated earlier, the 2022 event sees the return of the wildly popular Trash Fashion & Contest Contest after a two-year hiatus. The weekend event also includes a gallery-style adult juried art exhibit, and every school in Santa Fe is invited to participate for free in the student juried art exhibits. These exhibits often correlate with a lesson plan noting the importance of recycling and reducing waste. For attendees, the make and take art activities for kids of all ages run Saturday and Sunday, during the art market.
Dates and show times are Friday, November 11, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – which includes the Trash Fashion Show at 7 p.m. – Saturday, November 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday general admission is $5 for adults, while children under 12 are free. Saturday and Sunday events are free. Fashion show tickets are $8 – $20, include general admission on Friday night, and are being sold through the Lensic box office, or at the door. This event often sells out, so get your tickets today! Food vendors will be on site, and cash prizes will be awarded. For more information on the 23rd Annual Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, visit the website.
This article was posted by David Salcido
