On February 17, 2010, a dozen Chittenden County high school students plus more than 50 of their families and friends gathered at the Frog Hollow Gallery on Church Street in Burlington to celebrate the awards garnered by winners of the 14th Annual CSWD Creative ReUse Showcase. Even passersby were drawn to the energy and warmth-and the mouth-watering cookies donated by Sugar Snap! Representatives from several of the sponsors were on hand to present checks and gift certificates to the appreciative category winners, some of whom are already plotting their projects for next year. Many of those who are graduating will be passing the creative reuse torch to younger siblings inspired by the art as well as the awards.

This year entries were received from seven Chittenden County high schools: Burlington High School, Burlington Technical Center, Champlain Valley Union High School, Essex High School, Mt. Mansfield Union High School, Rock Point School, and South Burlington High School.

CSWD sponsors the Showcase every year as a way to promote recycling and waste reduction in the Chittenden County community. Our goal is to get people to think about the whole concept of waste. Seeing art made from what most of us would consider junk can help people realize that waste is a choice.

Please visit our virtual gallery to see photos of entries from 2010 and past Creative ReUse Showcases. (The 2010 photos will be available soon!)

The 2010 Creative Reuse Showcase Winners and Prizes

Best in Show (sponsored by NRG Systems): "Stripped Elegance," a dress made from darkroom test strips and film, by Kyala Schenck of Champlain Valley Union High School.
Prize: $200 check from NRG Systems

Awesome Art (sponsored by Boutilier's Art Center): “Girl With a Trash Earring,” a collage patterned after Johannes Vermeer's “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” created from a variety of electrical and paper waste, by Kay Busch of Essex High School.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Boutilier's Art Center

Fabulous Fashion (sponsored by Ecco Clothes): "The Swan Princess,” a wearable dress crafted from white trash bags and a broken mirror by Kristen Karl of Essex High School.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Ecco Clothes

Jammin' Junk: (sponsored by Advance Music Center): "Ski Vermont,” a guitar made from a ski, ski pole, broken “Walkman” and other items, by Callie Braceras of Essex High School.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Advance Music Center

Outrageously Original (sponsored by Burlington City Arts): "Christmas Light Corn Stalk,” a life-size sculpture of a corn stalk and ears made from old Christmas lights, by Stella Grenn of Essex High School.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Burlington City Arts

Perfectly Practical (sponsored by The Outdoor Gear Exchange): "Snowboard Bench,” made of two snowboards welded to truck leaf and coil springs and old chains, by Sean Jacob of Burlington Technical Center.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Outdoor Gear Exhange

Strongest Statement (sponsored by Bolton Valley Ski Resort): “Standing Up For Basics,” a figure sculptured from trash bags, can pop-tops and other waste, by Dallas Dodd of Champlain Valley Union High School.
Prize: 4 ski lift tickets from Bolton Valley Ski Resort

Techno Totems (sponsored by Small Dog Electronics): “Compute Your Life Away,” a collage made from an obsolete solar panel and computer parts, by Robin Lloyd-Miller of Rock Point School.
Prize: $100 check from Small Dog Electronics

True Trash (sponsored by All Cycle Waste): "Chinese Dragon, a figure created from an old workboot, plastic packaging and plastic sheeting, by Zachary Dutcher of Mount Mansfield Union High School.
Prize: $100 check from All Cycle Waste

People's Choice Award (sponsored by Frog Hollow--Vermont State Craft Center): "Slide Glow," a "chandelier" made from old 35mm slides and Christmas lights, by Chuck Masters of Rock Point School.
Prize: $100 gift certificate from Frog Hollow