Turning Fraser Coast trash to treasure could win you thousands 

The Fraser Coast art competition where turning garbage into gold could win you big bucks. Feeling creative? Here’s how you can join the challenge.

The Fraser Coast competition where turning trash into treasure can win you thousands. Are you up for the challenge? Picture: Isabella Magee

The annual competition, where waste scraps are turned into art using skill and creativity, is back.

The Fraser Coast Waste to Art competition is challenging the way rubbish is seen, repurposing goods with the help of creative minds and a hate for waste.

Now open for expressions of interest, this year’s competition has $2,800 up for grabs for the winning garbage turned gold pieces.

Fraser Coast Councillor David Lewis said works will be on display at the end of the year at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough, showing “how we can repurpose waste”.

Councillor David Lewis said the exhibition will run from the end of this year into early next year. Picture: Isabella Magee

“It‘s an opportunity for artists but also for trainees and farmers and hobbyists and all those people out in the community to concentrate their minds on how we can convert waste into wonderful pieces of art,” he said.

Hyne Timber is offering artists free timber offcuts to use in their creations. Picture: Isabella Magee

Former Horticulturist Graham Barnes has found a creative outlet through the competition, with it leading to his works being sold.

This year will be his fourth entering Waste to Art.

A piece made by Graham Barnes, whose love for recycling and art have united through this competition. Picture: Isabella Magee

“I didn’t believe it when my first piece was sold ... (the competition) is a lot of fun and it has given me some credibility as an artist,” Graham said.

“My brain is a very strange place ... I can pick up something ... look at it and say, ‘What can I do with this?’, ‘How can I make it into something?’ and I’ll go looking for other things to add ... it’s just something that happens.

“Just try and use your imagination, I think what we‘ve lost as adults is imagination ... we don’t go out and create things much anymore ... just create what you want.”

Picture: Isabella Magee

Expressions of Interest are now open and will close on August 26, 2021.

Artists then complete their pieces and fill in an entry form which is due by October 26, 2021.

All artworks must be made primarily of materials sourced from home, Fraser Coast Reuse and Recycle Centres, local op shops or local garage sales.

Click here for more information.

Originally published as Turning Fraser Coast trash to treasure could win you thousands