"Discarded to Regarded"

By Rebecca Woodley

How do we create treasure from trash? In February, artists and Oak Park arts organizations are working together to teach the public how to reduce, reuse and recycle through the visual mediums of art and film. Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is calling on artists for its gallery exhibition, Discarded to Regarded, for which artists submit one-of-a-kind works created from found objects or recycled materials. Artists can drop off work at Oak Park Art League starting Feb. 6.

Through the month of February, Chicagoland and surrounding communities are invited to see the innovative work of artists in OPAL’s historic Carriage House gallery, followed by our 5th Annual One Earth Film Festival (March 4-6). We will showcase documentary film "Landfill Harmonic" which shows how a group turned trash into treasure! Get your tickets to a screening today!

Discarded to Regarded Exhibition Dates: Feb 12 – March 4

Opening Reception – Feb 12, 7-9pm

Open Call NOW for work from found objects and/or recycled materials. Work can be dropped off Feb 6-10 and picked up March 4-8. $15 entry fee Art League members/$25 non-members

February Critique: Monday, February 15th, 7:00-8:30 pm in the OPAL Gallery Topic: Upcycling and Fine Art: How Trash Translates

Judge: Joel Javier is the Education Manager at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, where he also manages museum programs and operations.

OPAL Artist Member Jonathan Franklin will open the session with a short discussion on his experience working with non-traditional materials, the stuff he finds in the recycling bin or on his daily “alley meanderings”. Bring your own upcycled work in progress for group feedback, or come for the dialogue.