2nd annual recycled arts competition

The Michigan Partisan

By Page W. H. Brousseau IV
TIMES STAFF WRITER

The University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) hosted the second annual Recycled Arts Competition this year. The competition was held in the Ontario Room in the University Center on Apr. 3. The had to contain at least 75% recycled non-recyclable materials, such as glass plastic, metal or wood.

Last year when the Biology Department was in charge of campus-recycling program, Tracy Wacker started the competition.

This year the task fell to Facilities Management, and specifically the Recycling Manager Cheryl Baryo and Assistant Manager Sue Fielder.

Baryo said the event drew 16 entries, four times the number of entries as last year. The winner was 15-year-old Kristen Cowling, whose entry was a computer monitor that had eyeholes to peer into the inside, which contained various porcelain animals in their natural habitats. Light coming from the vent openings on the top of the monitor provided illumination.

Prize money was awarded to the following: Kristen Cowling earned $100 for first place. Martha Burr earned $75 for second place and Emily Burr $50 for third place.

Scott Dahl, from the Theater Department, was a judge. "It is difficult to judge art and difficult to judge craft," he said before the presentation. He said that he was impressed with the creativity of all the entries." He pointed out the functionality and different uses in some of the entries, such as a coat rack made of doorknobs.

Baryo explained that other departments of the University also participated, "The art students were also involved. They had to come over and write an opinion on each entry for an assignment." Baryo said the recycling program was looking for "new and innovative ways to improve" recycling on campus. She said the campus is now recycling ink cartridges and the new William S. White building will have two recycling areas on each floor, and she also hopes to bring two areas to every floor of the Murchie and French Hall buildings.

Baryo and Fielder would like to thank the following the members of the UM-Flint community: "Bill Webb for granting us permission to host this event. Adele Karas for awarding us grant money to help pay for this event. Tracy Wacker for continuous support in preparing and setting up for this event, Dick Horning and Ian Steenson for providing technical support." Look for information about next year's competition during March 2003.