Newark Students Turn ‘Garbage’ Into Art, Win County Contest

NEWARK, NJ — Students from Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School in Newark recently came out on top at a county contest that aims to turn “garbage” into art – and teach a valuable lesson about environmentalism in the process.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. congratulated the Newark students for winning first place in the 6th to 8th grade category in the Essex County gARTbage Contest at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland on Monday.

According to the contest flyer:

“This g'ART'bage contest takes a creative approach to protecting our planet from plastic pollution by pulling plastics out of the waste-stream and transforming them into works of public art. Contest participants are challenged to be thoughtful and creative in crafting art made from single-use plastic garbage (non-recyclable plastics). Team and individual projects are welcome.”

The contest was open to students in multiple age groups, which spanned from pre-K to high school.

Projects were asked to be crafted to withstand the elements, as they will be showcased in an outdoor setting on the grounds of the Essex County Environmental Center.

• See Related: Newark Artist Transforms 6,000 Water Bottles Into 'Chandeliers'

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