By Cardinia Arts Society
‘Opt In’ is a new exhibition at the Hills Hub Emerald which has local artists putting a spotlight on recycling.
Participating artists created art using recycled materials or recycled an existing art piece or concept.
This could be an earlier piece that is reimagined or recreated. Every opportunity was afforded for artists to ‘opt in’.
In June 2024, Cardinia Art Society (CART) members went on a bus tour of local Opp Shops to hunt down treasures to use in art projects or be inspired by items seen.
These art creations are now on display at the Hills Hub Gallery in Emerald. The exhibition runs until 14 March 2025 and is open daily from 10am until 2.30pm and is free to enter.
“The pieces in this exhibition are very creative and the display is a bit quirky and has something to interest all tastes”, says event organiser and CART President Jillian Ronald.
“When setting up the event we took the theme of recycling into consideration. Instead of wood plinths to display art, we have used cardboard boxes, and the information sheets have been laminated and remain on-site, so they are recycled to each visitor.
Some of the more unusual pieces include a bottle-top tapestry by Annette Slattery Titled ‘Mona’.
In this piece, hundreds of bottle tops have been threaded with homage to the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece ‘Mona Lisa’.
Artist Kathleen Kendal has converted two old chairs ‘Bill and Joan’ into art pieces. At the exhibition, you can read about their true ghost story.
Another art piece displays a creature built out of rusty items found in the junk pile at a hundred-fifty-year-old farm.
It has been displayed on a recycled X-ray unit retired from a hospital.
The exhibition is presented and curated by members of CART.
The society is a volunteer-incorporated organisation that acts as an interface between the diverse individuals, art groups and businesses operating within the Cardinia Shire.
CART aims to foster and promote the practice, development and appreciation of Visual Arts and enrich the artistic and cultural development of the Cardinia Shire.
“The ‘Opt In’ Exhibition is a fantastic project that engages artists in our community through sustainable practices. The concept of Op Shopping materials for their exhibition is genius, as well as supporting local charities,” said Cardinia Shire Coordinator Arts and Creative Industries, Anna Reid.
“The work that the Cardinia Art Society does for the arts in Cardinia Shire is phenomenal. Through supportive programs, workshops, and exhibition opportunities, they have built a nurturing and engaging artist network.
“I would encourage everyone in the community with an interest in picking up a brush to get involved.”
