A Recycled-Art Competition at The Art League

We've all heard that art is everywhere, and Thursday evening, participants in a found-object sculpture contest did their best to prove that statement.

The competition was part of the opening reception for the April exhibits at The Art League Gallery and Second Thursday Art Night at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. It was also the kick-off event for the League of 25, a new group of donors who pitched in to have some fun and fund an exhibit at The Art League, a multi-faceted arts organization in Alexandria.

Putting together an exhibition each month takes a lot of time, work, and money. Donations go toward things like hiring a juror, providing awards, receptions, promotion, and gallery maintenance — hanging all that artwork takes a toll on the drywall!

This month, donors funded "Earth," an exhibit of works addressing the state of our planet, so a recycled art project was the perfect way to officially open the exhibit.

The participants split into two teams, then crafted a plan of attack for their sculpture. After tackling the sculpture in turns, relay-style, the teams came together for a few final minutes to put the finishing touches on their masterpieces. Torpedo Factory artist Lisa Schumaier selected the winner: a tower of branches, bottlecaps, and assorted artifacts.

In addition to holding monthly exhibits at the gallery, The Art League offers at The Art League School, hosts art-related events throughout the year, sells art supplies through The Art League Store, and conducts community outreach programs such as SOHO. To read more about this month's exhibits, click here.

— George Miller