Oblock Junior High’s Art Club recently sponsored Reuse-A-Palooza, a night focused on how to reuse items to create artwork, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse (PCCR).

Mrs. Amanda Durick, Art Teacher at Oblock Junior High, learned about Reuse-A-Palooza when she was a part of a teacher empowerment program at the PCCR. She knew the organization had an outstanding outreach and education department and frequently hosted art making events. Mrs. Durick wanted to bring attention to environmental issues and show kids how they can make an impact. Student response to Reuse-a-Palooza was overwhelming! It was an opportunity for participants to take raw and random materials and, with creativity and courage, build an art piece they would be proud to put on display.  Even the youngest participants jumped right in and led the way to making interesting and fun artwork.

The event included an educational component where participants learned more about PCCR, ways to recycle or repurpose materials instead of throwing them away, and how to be resourceful with what you have (instead of buying new art supplies).

Grace Roedersheimer, seventh grade art club member, said, “It was a night full of fun that allowed everyone a chance to express their creativity!” 

Attendees took their artwork home, displaying the creativity in an environmentally friendly way.

For more information about the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, click here.