Md. High Schoolers Create Art Out Of Recyclables

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, finding it in the trash can take special vision.

Alex DeMetrick reports what is found can look amazing.

A large portrait of Lady Gaga, done in a medium she would probably like. Pupils spun from bits of wire, all of the sculpture was created from what was basically junk.

"I drew it up and the next thing I knew we were on a big scale on the canvas with a pencil, then we moved to acrylics," Amber Robinson, Digital Harbor High School student said. "Then our school got involved by getting bottle caps and recycled junk."

Sixty-nine pieces are all made from recyclables by students from 28 Maryland high schools.

"You can find a new use for this stuff," Carl Freeman, a Huntingtown High School student, said.

Coke zero cans fashioned into dragon scales help form a whimsical dragon and rider. The everyday newspaper is turned into a dress that is sized to fit its creator.

"I actually would just have to take out a seam and put in a zipper and I could wear it until it falls apart," Charlotte Duggon, Liberty High School student said.

Maryland's Department of Environment puts on this annual show to promote recycling.

"The biggest obstacle to an effective recycling program is education, so we look to this to just get the word out to the public," said Dave Mrgich from the Maryland Department of Environment.

Crystal Blackwood's giraffe certainly catches the eye: scrap metal for a head and legs, old 45 records for a hide.

"Actually I started out with a dog, but then I wanted to do something big and spectacular," Blackwood said.

"I love it because I am pro-recycling. I love to recycle everything," said Sarah Fritz, Digital Harbor High School student.

Used cans are turned into graceful feathers.

"Peacocks are really nice animals, so I decided why not do something that means a lot to me," said Elaina Wolinski, Sparrows Point student.

When asked whether anyone was cut while doing this, Ashley Struble from Sparrows Point High says yes.

"Yeah, our fingers a couple times cutting cans, but not too bad," said Struble.

This is the 10th year Maryland's Department of Environment has staged the recyclables into art event.