The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is installing new student artwork this week as part of this year’s Upcycling TOM initiative.
Curator of Public Projects and Education Heather McLeese says for the second year of the Upcycling TOM project, they partnered with East Ridge Community School.
McLeese says the school selected Thomson’s Sunset Sky as inspiration for this year’s project.
“We are thrilled Upcycling Tom has returned for the second year in a row. It’s a fantastic project that really brings together local students to reimagine the iconic works of Canadian artist Tom Thomson using only recycled materials,” says McLeese.
Students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Eight worked collaboratively over the winter months to put their art pieces together.
“I think the classes were very creative in what they have repurposed. There is everything from different fabric materials, to bottle caps, to popcan tabs, to egg cartons, to straws. The more I look at them, the more things I find,” says McLeese.
She says the project encourages people to consider the materials they are using.
“We tend to be a throw away culture, and how can we reduce our carbon footprint and how can we think differently and think creatively about upcycling things and repurposing materials,” says McLeese.
About 20 pieces of art were submitted and will be available for viewing at the gallery until the end of the month.
The TOM will be hosting a spring opening this Saturday for all of its exhibition spaces, which will include the Upcycling pieces.
