From trash emerges art - of a sort

CORNWALL — The 10th annual Art at the Dump last weekend just may have been the hottest one yet — weatherwise and otherwise.

Many visitors to the show at the town transfer station commented that it was  an exceptionally inspired exhibit of recycled art. But it’s hard to say for sure; each show is unique, and there are always plenty of pieces that make one marvel over their ingenuity. Who would think to use floppy-disk tabs as photo holders, an old radiator to make a “guard sheepâ€� or the letters from “cautionâ€� tape to create a flag that makes a statement?

Maybe it had something to do with the weather. It was cool and breezy inside the transfer station sand shed on the first summery days of the year. Everything was looking good and just a few hours into the two-day show, a majority of the artwork had already been sold — a very good thing because 30 percent of sales go the art department at Cornwall Consolidated School.

Those who were shopping got a break with lower prices, set that way because of the state of the economy. About $700 was raised for the school. It was a little less than usual, but everyone was happy.

Art teacher Diane Dupuis is in her second year at the school and said she is stashing away the Art at the Dump proceeds for “something big.�

“We’re saving up for something good,� she said, while helping out at the show over the weekend. “I’m not sure what. I’d love to get a small printing press, but they are very expensive. I’d probably have to find a used one. Whatever it is, it will be something the kids will be able to use for a long time.�

She was elated to find another coveted item — for free. Housatonic Valley Regional High School teacher Jessie Bate was at the show, having contributed artwork she made with her mother, Dupuis said. They got to talking about how the home economics department at Housy is being shut down and its sewing machines are no longer needed.

“She asked the principal if Cornwall could have one and she said yes. We’re very grateful,� Dupuis said.

Cornwall Consolidated School is becoming much more involved with Art at the Dump. Students took a collection of items brought to the school and turned them into two tables of one-of-a-kind art.

Beginning next year, the PTA will begin helping to organize the event. Richard Griggs took it over last year from founder Gail Jacobson. It has become a bit more than one person can manage. Dupuis and PTA members were on hand last weekend to help out, and found it was a great way to spend the weekend.

Speaking of happy: The People’s Choice Award went to Jon Westberg of Milford for his metal flowers. The Phillip C. Jones Award, for student artwork, and the Ultimate Recycling Frisbee prize went to a group project, “Playground,� by Sam Hurlburt, Bryce Laigle, Savannah Martin and Ian Ridgway.

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