Where does recycling go after it’s thrown into the bin? On Thursday, April 5, recycled cans, newspaper and bottles will reappear in the form of artistic masterpieces at the Picture Green 2012 Sustainable Art Exhibition. Local and student artists will showcase artwork made with a sustainable or nature theme and made from recycled materials.

From 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Hendrix Center’s David Peebles Room, students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to check out artwork crafted from everyday materials, like soda cans, milk bottles, metal tins and more. Works include life-size sculptures, paintings, jewelry and musical instruments, all made by local and student artists.

A judge from The Arts Center, a local, nonprofit community arts center in Clemson devoted to making art education accessible to the community, will critique the works. The first-place winner will receive a generous gift certificate to a local art supply store, and second- and third-place artists will win Solid Green gift packages. Attendees can enter a raffle to win hand-crafted jewelry made from natural and precious stones.

Participants will not be selling their work during the exhibition; however, attendees can make arrangements to sell their pieces at a later time. The idea of Picture Green started in 2009 when Julia Fielding, a former Clemson undergraduate and MBA student, met with her professors to create a sustainable event for the arts. In past years, professors and other speakers were asked to present talks concerning “green” issues such as renewable energy, sustainable business development and green building. Films promoting and discussing sustainable topics were also screened in McKissick Theater.

This year, Picture Green will be associated with the nationwide recycling competition RecycleMania. Clemson Recycling Services will celebrate the University’s results and hope to inspire more Tigers to reduce their impact on society. RecycleMania has been a success this year, as Recycling Services has promoted the competition through various service events and activities. These events include the No Impact Man screening in McKissick Theatre followed by a discussion on sustainability. Various student groups also volunteered to perform a waste audit on a few buildings on campus.

Julie Conard, a senior architecture major and art minor, is excited to be a participant in the exhibition.

“So many of our art and design projects are about issues of sustainability,” Conard said. “I am excited to participate in RecycleMania’s art show because it not only gives me the chance to show my work publicly, but it also allows us as artists to partner with SolidGreen, who are working to achieve the vision of our pieces.”

For more information, visit the Clemson Recycles Facebook page or http://www.clemson.edu/facilities/recycling.