This year's Wast to Art exhibition opening in Parkes has attracted one of its biggest crowds and entries to date.
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The winners in the annual competition, hosted by the Parkes Shire Library, were announced at the opening on April 4.
This year's theme is Baling Twine and Strapping, with the competition featuring a yearly scrap metal section.
The exhibition is an opportunity to see artwork produced by all ages, from preschool through to all ages and groups in the community.
Artworks include a wide range of waste materials to highlight problem issues.
Acting Parkes Shire Library manager Andrea Lovell said they received 64 entries into the competition this year, its 15th year.
"People are totally embracing [Waste to Art], and not once a year but all year through," Ms Lovell said on opening night.
"This is what it's about, to use your waste creatively."
Mayor Ken Keith OAM, accompanied by Cr Bill Jayet who is a member of Parkes Shire Council's Cultural Committee, officially opened the exhibition at the library and presented 17 awards to some very worthy winners.
He thanked the crowd for encouraging the next generation to recycle and reuse waste.
Cr Keith also praised council's Director of Planning and Environment Steven Campbell who was the driving force behind the Waste to Art initiative.
Ms Lovell described the competition as very close and tough, saying there was only a "0.1-0.2" of a difference between winners.
"The artworks are of an exceptional level," she said.
"Every year the standard keeps getting higher and higher."
This year's theme winner Ann Olson - with her Drought Flowers made from baling twine - is a first-time entrant, who took a personal approach to her artwork.
Ann grew up on a farm and said one of her earliest memories - and perhaps the fondest - were of her helping her grandfather feed hay to the stock.
"A very special gift to each of his grandchildren was a pocket knife" to cut the twine binding the hay bales.
"Part of this important job was collecting all the twine and tying it so it wouldn't be eaten by the stock", Ann's entry read.
She dedicated the flowers to her mother who remained and worked on her grandfather's farm and thanked her brothers for saving their old twine.
Other popular pieces in the exhibition is Trundle artist John Grady's metal ram sculpture named Rambo, made from fencing and barb wire, and Jeff Tanner's metal dice, made from melted beer cans.
The exhibition is open for viewing at the library until April 26.
2019 winners
Building/Sculpture 3D Winner - Dr Seuss' Garden by Middleton Public School.
Building/Sculpture 2D Winner - Tools Down by Helen Standen.
Open 3D
Highly Commended - Rambo by John Grady.
Winner - Drought Flowers by Ann Olson.
Open 2 D Winner - Harold Godwinson by Christine Somers.
Open Functional Winner - Peacock Chair by Elsie Mahon.
Community 3D Winner - Bunch of Flowers by Meredith Barber.
Community Functional Winner - A Bale of Waist by Julie Dearden.
High School 3D Winner - Wheels of Twine by Trundle High School.
High School Functional Winner - Romancing the Chain by Trundle High School.
Primary 3D Winner - Andy the Antibiotic Giraffe by Alana Finnegan.
Primary 2D Winner - Landscape Painting is Old School by Middleton Primary School.
Primary Functional - Highly Commended - God's Love Never Ends by Parkes Christian School.
Yearly Theme Baling Twine/Strapping Winner - Drought Flowers by Ann Olson.
Yearly Scrap Metal
Highly Commended - Beer Can to Dice by Jeff Tanner.
Winner - Old Keys Won't Open New Doors by Helen Standen.
Library Team Packers Prize - Recycling Run by Little Art Company.