Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The ARTx3 Campus has officially launched its 2025 Delta Upcycle Challenge (D.U.C.), an innovative program that merges art and environmental awareness. Open to students in grades three through 12, the challenge invites participants to create masterpieces using at least 75 percent recycled or reused materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. This initiative encourages creativity, promotes sustainability, and highlights the importance of protecting the planet.
Encouraging Creativity and Environmental Responsibility
The Delta Upcycle Challenge seeks to inspire the younger generation to think critically about waste and find artistic ways to reduce its environmental impact. By transforming discarded materials into stunning creations, students are given a platform to express their ingenuity while contributing to a cleaner planet.
“We want to encourage everyone to be mindful of the waste we produce and find creative and innovative ways to make art,” said Bethany Gere, public programs coordinator at the ARTx3 Campus. “This program is perfect for young artists who want to challenge themselves to make something beautiful and be a part of this amazing experience.”
Showcase and Prizes for Outstanding Creations
All participants will have the opportunity to display their creations during a public showcase at the ARTx3 Campus on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in celebration of Earth Day. A panel of judges will evaluate the entries, and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places in three categories. First-place winners in the high school category can receive up to $100.
Grade-Specific Themes to Spark Imagination
This year’s theme, “Re-Imagined Creations,” includes tailored prompts for different age groups to inspire unique and thoughtful designs:
- Third through Fifth Grade: Creature Creations
Students will craft animal sculptures from recycled materials, encouraging them to reimagine waste into fun, fierce, or fantastical creatures that bring attention to the importance of recycling. - Sixth through Eighth Grade: A Guiding Light
Middle school students are tasked with creating sculptures or artwork that shine a metaphorical and literal light on sustainability, showcasing how recycling can illuminate innovative ways of thinking. - Ninth through Twelfth Grade: Bags of Imagination
High school participants will transform trash bags and other discarded items into powerful works of art, proving that beauty and creativity can emerge from the simplest of materials.
How to Participate
Students interested in participating must register by April 1, 2025. Complete details, rules, and the registration form are available on the D.U.C. page. Participants and their creations will play a vital role in demonstrating how art can inspire change and foster collaboration within communities.
For additional information, contact Bethany Gere at [email protected] or (870) 395-7009.
By combining art and environmental stewardship, the Delta Upcycle Challenge offers young artists a chance to showcase their talent, promote sustainability, and reimagine a greener, more beautiful tomorrow.
