Recycled Art at Washington Irving Middle School
I’m so excited to share that this fall I’ve launched a brand-new recycled art program with the students at Washington Irving Middle School in Springfield, VA. Once a week during their enrichment period, I get to spend time with a group of creative, curious middle schoolers exploring what it means to turn discarded materials into meaningful works of art.
Over the course of the program, we’ll be learning about recycled art and the power of repurposing items that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Together, we’ll talk about waste diversion—what it means, why it matters, and how each of us can play a role in reducing waste in our own community. The students will get hands-on experience with different materials, techniques, and creative problem-solving as they work on individual and group projects.
The highlight of our time together will be building two large-scale works of art for the school to display: a collaborative mural and a 3D sculpture. These projects will not only showcase the students’ creativity but also serve as a permanent reminder of the impact that reuse and sustainability can have. My hope is that these works inspire not only the students who created them but also the entire school community to see “waste” in a new light.
This program marks my second collaboration with a Fairfax County Public School, and the experience has been deeply rewarding. Seeing students light up when they realize the creative potential in everyday “trash” is why I love this work. I would be thrilled to bring similar programs to more schools across the county—helping even more students explore sustainability through the lens of art.
Middle school is such an exciting time for students to experiment, discover their voices, and see how their actions can make a difference. I’m grateful to Washington Irving Middle School for opening their doors to this program and can’t wait to see what these young artists create. With every bottle cap, scrap of wire, or piece of fabric we repurpose, we’re proving that creativity and sustainability go hand in hand.
