Artists transform trash into treasure at Owosso sculpture exhibition
The UpCycle Art in the Park Awards Celebration at Curwood Castle Park in Owosso brings together Michigan artists who turn discarded materials into imaginative sculptures.
Over twenty three‑dimensional works, crafted from recycled and found objects, line the riverbanks surrounding the Shiawassee Arts Center, inviting visitors to reconsider waste. The event culminates in an awards ceremony on Sept. 27, with $3,500 in prizes and a People’s Choice award.
Local talent shines alongside statewide participants. Will Behar, Mary Jo Forsythe, Deborah Knipe, Philip Martin‑Luckhurst, Gary Mulnix, Rhonda Vesey represent Owosso, while Lilly Evans, Tadd Morris, Scott Ross, Jennifer Ross hail from Corunna. Artists such as Birney Adams, Matt Bigler, Sarah Burner, and Doug DeLind contribute a diverse range of up‑cycled creations.
Sponsored by the Shiawassee Community Foundation and The Greater Laingsburg Recyclers, the exhibition also raises awareness of the plastic pollution threatening the Great Lakes, highlighting Michigan’s modest recycling rate. The Shiawassee Arts Center, celebrating its 54th anniversary, offers free public access and houses eight galleries, including the Frieseke Gallery.