The city of Aurora’s Public Art Division is set to unveil a new exhibit on Friday showcasing discarded materials that have been transformed into works of art.
“Re-Imagined: The Art of Sustainability,” at Aurora Public Art’s gallery at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center at 20 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora, will highlight the intersection of creativity and environmental stewardship, according to a news release from the city of Aurora.
Featured artists, ranging from East Aurora School District’s Early Childhood Center preschool students to professional sculptors, have created pieces composed of at least 75% recycled or repurposed materials, ranging from ocean plastics and scrap metal to upcycled textiles, the city news release said.
“This show isn’t just about looking at art, it’s about looking at our ‘trash’ differently,” Curator Sangeeta Pande said in the news release. “By opening this call to every age group in Aurora, we are fostering a citywide conversation about sustainability and the Fox River ecosystem through the lens of local talent.”
The opening night reception at the gallery— set to take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday — is expected to feature a unique performance by Joe Rauen. He composes music using recycled instruments he creates himself, using items from brooms and vintage luggage to the “kitchen sink,” city officials said.
Terracycle, a recycling company with a major distribution center in Aurora, will also be on-site to educate the community about waste diversion and creating a zero-carbon footprint, according to the news release.
The exhibit is planned to run through May 23 at Aurora Public Art’s gallery at 20 E. Downer Place. Gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
