Get creative with recycling

WANNABE sculptors are being encouraged to look in their backyard shed and get creative for an upcoming recycled art competition.

The Salvage Shed reuse shop is running the competition in conjunction with Ballina Shire Council for the second year in a row.

Last year’s winner, Craig Sincock from Ballina, made a letter box with items from an old fuel pump, a windmill and a cake tin.

“He wasn’t any kind of master welder – he just put it together with screws and other things in his back shed,” The Salvage Shed lead support worker Jen Evans said.

“Last year we just had one category but this year we are growing it a little bit.”

The two design categories for 2024 include ‘letterbox’ and ‘backyard animal habitat’, which can be any structure built to accommodate animals, ranging from dog kennels and bird baths to bee or insect hotels.

“The idea behind it is that the creation is not only artistic, but it has a practical function as well,” Ms Evans said.

“We’re just encouraging people to look at waste in a different way.”

The competition has four prize categories.

The prizes are $150 for groups of three or more people, $150 for the open award, $100 for 12- to 18-year-old entrants and $50 for under-12s.

Entries are open to all artists, hobbyists, young people, community groups and schools.

Located next to the Resource Recovery Centre in Southern Cross Drive, The Salvage Shed is operated by Tweed Heads-based not-for-profit organisation Momentum Collective, which helps people with disabilities find housing and employment.

Entries for the competition close on Saturday, October 26 and the winners will be announced at an exhibition at the reuse shop on Saturday, November 16.

For more information visit mymomentum.org.au/recycled-art-comp