On First Friday, March 4th, Spirit News hosted an Upcycled Art Competition at the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym where we challenged local artists to take old issues of our weekly newspaper and turn it into, well, anything!

Our contestants ranged from preschoolers to seniors, fine artists to casual crafts lovers. Each drew inspiration from the paper, the neighborhood and their own artistic insights to create stunning pieces of upcycled art.

The entries were:

“Holy Repurposing” – By Luke Leyden and Sarah Wolfgang

Together Sarah Wolfgang and Luke Leyden collaborate to create woven wall hangings using nontraditional materials and methods. This piece was created specifically for the Upcycle Throwdown and fits within their growing body of work. The piece aims to highlight the newspaper as an artistic medium.

You can follow Luke and Sarah on Instagram @neopostmodern and @doloresblood

“Doing My Doily Reading” –  By Caitlin Peck

One full newspaper with each page hand cut in a doily pattern and laid on top of each other.

You can follow Caitlin on Instagram @iamcaitlinpeck

“Cubonsai” – By COLLAB007 (Leigh Ann Campbell and Chris Fintus)

COLLAB007 specializes in painted insect pendants and small figurines. Cubonsai is an extension of our gilded miniature world.

Find more on Instagram @collab007 @lacampbell and @itsfinman

“Catch the Spirit” – By St. Anne’s Senior Center Artists & Crafters (Maria Aviles, Ann Bailey, Bob Bailey, Bette Galcik & Karen Rouse, Center Manager)

A mixed-medium sculpture garden entitled “Catch the Spirit.” This creation is a group project and includes: flowers made from Spirit newspapers and also recycled syrofoam egg cartons, decoupage newspaper vase, and a toadstool sculpture made in the Clay Creations class, 2 paper painted fish stuffed with newspaper representing the Riverwards & the history of Fishtown.  A special feature in the design are the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday Service at St. Anne’s Church brought in by our members, representing the “Spirit of St. Anne’s.”

Learn more about St. Anne’s Senior Center at stannesseniorcenter.org

“Lighten Up!”- By Ann Bailey, St. Anne’s Senior Center

A watercolor painting embellished with “Spirit in Hand” and the mat border is made from a newspaper. The newspaper wreath is part of the display and features a light bulb – to reflect the theme, “ Lighten Up!”    

Learn more about St. Anne’s Senior Center at stannesseniorcenter.org

“The Philadelphia Skyline” – By Our Garden Playschool of By My Side, LTD and led by Amy Kelly

All three classes of Our Garden Playschool ages 2.5 – 5 years old, collaborated to create this Mixed-media bas-relief sculpture from inception through to completion. The preschoolers, with the help of their art teacher, Ms Amy Kelly, used wheat-paste (which they made themselves), paint, and the Spirit newspapers to construct the ever changing Philadelphia skyline.

Learn more about By My Side Parenting Program at bymysideparenting.org

“Untitled” –  Kristina Runne

Hollow lady with functioning gear interior.

See more work of Kristina’s at Head Games Philly (Instagram @headgamesphilly)

There were three separate categories at the competition. And the winners are:

Judge’s Choice – “untitled” by Kristina Runne

People’s Choice – “Catch the Spirit”by St. Anne’s Senior Center

Instagram’s Choice – “The Philadelphia Skyline” – Our Garden Playschool of By My Side, LTD – led by Amy Kelly

Special thanks to the Sculpture Gym, to all the artists and to everyone who stopped in to say hi on Friday! We’re looking forward to next time!