By Cathy Kimmel-Srock
Review Staff Writer
It’s something that everyone creates and, with the talent of some local artists, it can even be made into beautiful masterpieces worth admiring.
Trash, that is.
The Orion Art Center, along with Waste Management, is hosting “Metamorphosis” Re-create Recycled Art Show now through July 15.
According to Kathleen Klein, community relations representative for Waste Management, the whole purpose of the show is to rethink waste.
“We all create it and need to be more creative in how we repurpose it,” Klein said. “This show encourages that conversation in the community.”
Orion Art Center Director Lorene Porter said she loves this show for many reasons, including the talent and diversity of the pieces, but most importantly, for how fun it is.
The public can view the show during the center’s hours of noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
“In many cases, you can purchase the art, which benefits the artist and the art center,” Porter added, noting that some of the pieces are for sale, including some of the award-winning designs.
Cash prizes, through the sponsorship of Waste Management, were awarded in several categories, including a youth (12 and under) and teen category, as well as adult categories in both the best use of recycled materials and the best use of theme.
Jurors judged the pieces on the criteria of utilization and re-creation of recycled materials, quality, technique and artistic merit.
Clarkston resident Mike Hendrix was among the individuals to place in the adult competition. He took second place in Adult Best Use of Theme with his piece, “Dear Old Albert.”
“Everything is associated with him and his experiments,” Hendrix said of his piece inspired by Albert Einstein that is built from buttons, insides of electronics and other things that people give him.
Hendrix, who was raised in Lake Orion, is a commercial artist professionally but said he has more fun with this type of art and worked on his piece whenever he had a chance. He previously created something similar inspired by George Washington and was looking forward to entering Einstein into this show.
“Lake Orion is still the best little town for art,” Hendrix added.
The Orion Art Center is located 115 S. Anderson Street in downtown Lake Orion. The show runs until July 15.