A R T with M R. F A I R C H I L D
Visual Arts & Adv. Art 2025-2026
IF GARBAGE IS ART
(Creating Art from Recycled Materials)
Lessons:
In this unit, students will explore the creative potential of everyday discarded materials. By examining how artists use recycled and found objects in their work, students will develop an understanding of sustainability in art and the importance of resourcefulness. Through hands-on projects, students will learn to reimagine waste as a valuable artistic resource, while building skills in design, composition, and creative problem-solving.
What is Upcycled/Recycled Art?
Upcycled or recycled art is artwork made by reusing materials that would normally be thrown away. These materials can include plastic bottles, old newspapers, broken electronics, scrap metal, fabric scraps, or even everyday household items. Instead of letting these objects become waste, artists use them as the building blocks for Sculpture and 3D Design. This type of art helps reduce plastic pollution, encourages sustainability, and challenges us to see beauty in unexpected places.
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Some well-known artists collaborate with organizations like Washed Ashore to use found materials to make powerful works that tell stories and raise awareness about environmental issues. In this unit, we will utilize recycled plastic waste to create marine life creatures, connecting the impact of plastic pollution to sea-life destruction.
Human pollution—especially plastic waste—has a serious impact on marine ecosystems. When trash ends up in the ocean, it can harm sea creatures by entangling them, damaging their habitats, or being mistaken for food. This pollution disrupts the balance of marine life and threatens the health of the entire ocean environment.
By creating art from upcycled materials, we can help raise awareness about these issues in a creative and meaningful way. When people see sea creatures made from the same materials that pollute their homes, it sends a powerful message about the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and protecting our oceans.
Why Sea Creatures?
Video Resource
ASSIGNMENTS
(Creating Art from Recycled Materials)
Sketchbook: Upcycled Art
In your sketchbook, document the following vocab:
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Upcycling/Recycled Art: Using discarded plastic bottles, bags, or other waste materials to create artistic representations of sea creatures.
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Sculpture: Art form in which objects are formed and attached together into 3-Dimensional designs.
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Plastic Pollution – The accumulation of plastic products and waste in the environment, which harms ecosystems and wildlife.
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Sustainability – The ability to maintain or improve environmental quality and resources.
Thumbnails
After taking notes on upcycled artwork, create 3 thumbnails brainstorming how to make a sea creature made from at least 10 garbage items.
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This can include plastic bottles, bottle caps, cans, cups, plastic bags, or other plastic waste.
PROJECT
IF GARBAGE IS ART
Using the thumbnails from your sketchbook, and your understanding of upcycled artwork, create a 3D Design/Sculpture.
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The piece should utilize 10+ pieces of plastic waste and represent a sea creature of your choosing; the more creativity and detail, the better the artwork!
