Definition of Recycled Art

All work displayed must be original, at least 75% recycled/re-used, produced by the exhibitor, and the artist must be present during the entire market. Our criteria for recycled is using elements that were originally manufactured and would be thrown away or recycled, if it were not for your creativity to reformat it in a manner different from its intended original use. A good criterion is that the materials you use are considered junk, or would have ended up in the landfill or recycling center if you hadn’t rescued them for art. For our purposes, materials from nature such as rocks, sticks, leaves, bones, dirt, water, etc. are not recycled.

Art Market

The Art Market for the 2023 festival filled up with over 90 artists participating this year! Applications for the festival go out to artists via email each June.  To be sure to get the notice, please add your name to our email list here.

Adult Juried Art Exhibition

Do you want to be an artist in the festival, but aren't ready to have your own booth yet?  The Adult Juried Art Exhibit is a great way to still be a part of the fun.  This gallery-style exhibit is up throughout the weekend. Applications are $35 for entry for 3 different art pieces.

Student Juried Art Exhibition

Calling All Student Artists!  The Student Juried Art Exhibit takes shows recycled art made by Santa Fe area pre-schoolers through high-schoolers and will be on exhibit in the main lobby of the Santa Fe Community Convention Center during the festival.   It is free to enter, but classrooms and individuals must register in advance.

Trash Fashion & Costume Contest

Don't miss the fabulous Trash Fashion & Costume Contest  - 7:00 pm on Friday night of the festival. 2024 applications open in June of 2024.

Recycled Art Waste Exchange

Please click here if you have discarded items that you think a recycled-material artist would be interested in or if you are a recycled-material artist and you are looking for source materials for your art.  We'll work to connect donors and artists and to keep items out of the landfill.