New “Waste to Art” exhibition expresses hope for a cleaner future

The City of Cape Town has opened a new “Waste to Art” exhibition at the Civic Centre. It forms part of the Festive Lights Switch-On Event and features art made by students in grades 6 and 7.

Also read: Festive Lights: City offers late night transport for switch-on

The saying “one man’s waste is another’s treasure” was proven yesterday at the opening of a new public exhibition, the Festive Lights Switch-On “Waste to Art” exhibition, at the Cape Town Civic Centre.

The exhibition demonstrates how waste can be turned into beautiful and meaningful art and promotes the all-important message to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook

The exhibition was officially opened by the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Alderman Grant Twigg, and Alderman JP Smith. There were also 40 students and their teachers from Cecil Road Primary, Dryden Primary, Wesley Primary in Salt River and St. Paul’s Primary in Bo-Kaap. They were the ones responsible for the imaginative creations.

Cape Town Mayor Goerdin Hill-Lewis attended the launch of the exhibition. He said:

“It’s wonderful to be here at the opening of the “Waste to Art” exhibition, where school kids have turned waste from the streets of Cape Town into these incredible works of art.” In our #SpringCleanCT campaign, we are working to change behaviour around littering. “Nothing should become litter, and waste can be turned into something special.”

Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook

The Waste to Art project forms part of the City’s annual Festive Lights Switch-On event. It’s a good opportunity to help young people understand the importance of climate change, overconsumption, and the need to keep the environment clean for both nature and the people and animals who live on the earth.

In 2022, the project was done in collaboration with the City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate. Their “Let’s Act” #SpringcleanCT campaign encourages all citizens to clean up their own acts and help others clean up theirs.

Alderman Grant Twigg, who is on the Mayor’s Committee for Urban Waste Management, recently went to Cecil Road Primary to see how the art projects were coming along.

“I am so proud of our young people and the effort they have put in. They are our future leaders and ambassadors for a cleaner world. I thank everyone, including our hardworking teachers, for taking time out of their exam preparation schedules to participate in this project; it has been well worth it,” said Alderman Twigg.

The works on display include an aquarium made from recycled bottles, a timely reminder that our oceans and aquatic life require breathing space. Other artworks include a bouquet of flowers made from old paper; a 3-D depiction of Cape Town complete with the stadium, Table Mountain, paragliders, and the sea; a Nike sneaker combo; and a colourful traditional dwelling complete with recycling bins that remind us that we must care for what we put back into the earth no matter where we are.

The “Waste to Art” exhibition is open at the Civic Centre until January 13, 2023, and is a must-see for the hope of the future, which also speaks to the theme of this year’s Festive Lights Switch-On: Cape Town, City of Hope.

Also read: 

City reminds consumers to reduce, reuse and recycle this Black Friday

Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook

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