Elena and Grace Ware of Ventnor took first place in the Recycled Art Contest with their submission, Oh, How the Tides Turn. ACUA President Matt DeNafo presented the award.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Identical twins Elena and Grace Ware, 13, of Ventnor, took top honors at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s annual Recycled Art contest. The winners were announced during the ACUA’s America Recycles Day celebration held at the Recycling Center on Nov. 18.
Oh How The Tides Turn by Elena and Grace Ware.
The twins took first place in the group category. Their artwork was on display with the other submissions during the celebration. The art exhibition and awards were part of a full afternoon of recycling related activities at the ACUA’s Environmental Park in Egg Harbor Township, including family friendly crafts, games, facility tours, Touch- a-Truck and more.
The girls made a turtle out of trash they found on the beach, including plastic water bottles and discarded paper plates.
In addition to receiving a certificate, they were awarded a $100 cash prize.
The Recycled Art Contest, now in its ninth year, encourages people to create unique pieces of art from materials they would normally toss in the trash or recycling bin.
“The contest heightens awareness about the waste we generate and sparks thinking about recycling, reuse, waste and litter reduction,” ACUA President Matt DeNafo said. “The entries were incredible and reflect the creativity of the participating artists.”
The contest is offered in partnership with the Atlantic County Library System, which accepts submissions at their branches. Artwork was displayed at local libraries during the month of October.
“The libraries are a key part of the contest, and we really appreciate their participation. It’s convenient for people to submit artwork close to their homes and for library patrons to enjoy the art before it comes to the ACUA,” Communications Manager Amy Menzel noted. “We’ve also expanded drop-off locations to include libraries outside the county system.”
Additional libraries include the Linwood Library, the Otto Bruyns Library in Northfield and libraries at Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College.
For more information about the contest and America Recycles Day at ACUA visit acua.com.
The annual contest is open to all residents of Atlantic County. Winners are selected in four age categories and one group category:
8 & younger
First – Daniel Maldonado-Kuzmich, Volcanic Wonder
Second – Annalise Isom, Ice Cream
Third – Arryq Buss, Wall-E Recreated
HM – Leo Martinez, JuJu Smith
9-13
First – Erika Resmerowski, Mama Goose
Second – Iyanuoluwa Ayannusi, Lion of Judah
Third – Jared Dennis, Fernando the Flamingo
HM – Mileska Santiago-Curi, Wire Face
HM – Belinda Santana-Rodriguez, Wire Face
14-18
First – Connor Bald, Tin Can Cat
Second – Thomas Capobianco, Double Bacon Cheeseburger
Third – Jahnae Spoltore, The Spider
HM – Vera Huff, Colorwheel: Reimagined
HM – Adrianna Fodera, Angulina Jolie
Special Recognition – Cadence Warren, Bearded Dragon
19+
First – Eduardo Jimenez, Pizza Box Octopus on Balloons
Second – Elizabeth Wade, Steam Punk Burd
Third – Arline Boyce, We Need You God
HM – Laurel Leigh, Fishing + Beer = My Happiness
Group
First – Elena and Grace Ware, Oh, How the Tides Turn
Second – Washington Avenue 4th grade class, Forest
Third – Washington Avenue Kindergarten & 1st grade, Guyton Inspired Neighborhood
HM – Washington Avenue Kindergarten & 1st grade, Autumn Tree
More photos are available online at https://www.acua.com/artcontest.
