Arts at the Oval reveals creative potential in repurposed rubbish
A showcase of upcycled treasures
On Saturday, March 14, more than 25 juried artists displayed their creations to the public at the Oval in Roseville, MN. Offering one-of-a-kind pieces for exhibit and sale, many of the artists displayed work made from reclaimed materials. Through a diverse range of applications, artists answered the question “how can I take something ordinary, or cast away, and create something new, interesting, valuable?”
Repurposed Rubbish
While not every artist’s statement includes an intent towards sustainability practices, a majority exemplified regenerative innovation through reclaimed and repurposed items. Using bottle caps, recycled fabric, wood shavings, old newspapers, scrap metal, and otherwise discarded goods, different artists rewarded curiosity with unique collections to show and sell.
“Working with recycled materials means every item turns out differently,” said Jeena Gurung Vomhof, clothing designer, artist, and owner of Namaste Brows & Boutique. “The outcome of each piece is so unique. That’s the beauty. My customer deserves something that is truly theirs.”
Available for questions and conversations throughout the event, several artists gave background information, process details, and additional resources on their respective approaches. Their perspective gives viewers and customers an inside look into what makes each piece its own.
Artists Showcase
Show participants, Nicole Mautz of CAPtivating Designs Jewelry, Aryn Courtney Kern of Long Shadow Woodworks, and Raju Limichhane of Raju’s Arts, succinctly capture the spirit of regenerative art through discarded materials.
Nicole Mautz | CAPtivating Designs Jewelry
Nicole Mautz is the artist behind CAPtivating Designs Jewelry. Her work is made of reimagined bottle caps. Pulling from a collection acquired from all over the world, she transforms the bottle caps into jewelry, key rings, money clips, golf ball markers, ornaments and more. “With my bottlecap creations,” Nicole explains, “I’m extending the lifecycle of the material. It’s my way of reducing waste and contributing to a greener planet.”
When considering her process, she offered her favorite quote by Dr. Seuss: "It’s not what it is, it’s what it can become."
CAPtivating Designs Jewelry Can be viewed here.
Long Shadow Woodworks
Aryn and Courtney Kern of Long Shadow Woodworks use wood waste created by larger wood product manufacturers to make cutting boards, charcuterie boards, coaster sets, and the like. The wood scraps are selected for their grain and character, are laminated, planed, shaped, sanded, and then finished. Being that the wood itself is repurposed and each product is made manually, no two are exactly alike. Each has its own distinctive qualities.
"In our work, we strive to combine beauty and function while doing our part to use our natural resources wisely." they express missionally on their website.
Long Shadow Woodworks can be viewed here:
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Raju Lamichhane | Raju’s Arts
Raju Lamichhane of Raju’s Arts prides himself in making newspaper collage art, using paper waste most people toss straight into the trash or recycling bin. Focusing mainly on animals, nature, and Minnesota-themes like Splitrock Lighthouse and the Minneapolis skyline, Raju designs art using local newspapers, advertising supplements, and junk mail. Having been creating this art for years now, Raju has a diverse selection of cards and prints of various sizes.
In his artist statement, Raju says, “Giving new life to old newspapers and turning “waste” into beautiful art brings me great joy…I hope my work inspires others to see beauty in everyday materials and to think creatively about what we often throw away.”
Raju’s Arts can be viewed here.
Reclamation
As conveyed in their comments, the artists look at the world and see potential where others may only see trash. The theme of “reclamation” became apparent throughout the event, as each participant’s display table revealed details about their materials and processes. By creating repurposed art through the redemptive work of curiosity, artists invited viewers to ask the question themselves: what good can come of this mess?
In addition to the green-leaning creatives at the event were artists like Sharon Cadja who specializes in original oil paintings of aurora borealis, photographer Lawrence Sayer, whose collections span Midwest landscapes, European Streets and small, still-standing rural buildings, and Celia Waldock, who makes plant stands, bird baths, and home décor.
These and the other participating artists can be found on the Roseville Parks and Recreation Website. To learn more, or explore opportunities to support local artists, and purchase a special gift or one-of-a-kind work of art, visit the Arts at the Oval page on the City of Roseville website.
