Transforming recyclables into art

Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News
·2 min read

MONROE — In honor of Earth Day, artist Debbie Conner will show how she creates sculptures from recyclables.

Conner has been working with recycled materials for a decade. A longtime member of the Monroe Art League, she’s been a Jefferson Schools art teacher for 27 years. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Conner will show her art and offer a hands-on demonstration at the United Way of Monroe and Lenawee Counties, 216 N. Monroe St. Admission is free; the public is welcome.

Debbie Conner painted this depiction of North Elementary School, where she teaches. Much of Conner's artwork is created from recycled materials. She'll demonstrate her techniques Tuesday in Monroe.
Debbie Conner painted this depiction of North Elementary School, where she teaches. Much of Conner's artwork is created from recycled materials. She'll demonstrate her techniques Tuesday in Monroe.

“I am going to have a hands-on demonstration on using repurposed material,” Conner said. “I plan to show a collection of art I have created over the past 10 years. I hope to inspire others to reduce their carbon footprint.”

“Debbie has done some amazing art using very interesting supplies,” said Eve Weatherholt, president of the Monroe Art League, sponsor of the demonstration.

Conner
Conner

Also a fine art painter, Conner became interested in recycled art because of the Climate Literacy Program, which is part of Monroe's annual Earth Day Expo. The program challenges area schools to create sculptures from recycled items. This year’s sculpture theme is bats. The 2024 Earth Day Expo will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at Monroe County Community College.

“My students (10 years ago) created an elephant out of Kroger bags that we wove through the supplied armature. It was very large, about 4 feet high and 4 feet across," Conner said. "I like to teach my students about the importance of being environmentally conscious."

"This is a statement piece about how plastics litter our state and water," said Debbie Conner, who creates art with recycled items.
"This is a statement piece about how plastics litter our state and water," said Debbie Conner, who creates art with recycled items.

Conner and the students come up with some quite non-traditional art materials.

“I ask my students to brainstorm what different supplies we can incorporate. We try to come up with a new way to repurpose items. One year we made a sturgeon out of juice pouches. The students collected, washed and cut the pouches for the sculpture. I talk to students about being mindful of our resources and trying to reduce waste and reuse things that others may throw away,” she said. “I love showing the students that art doesn't have to be expensive. We can make amazing art out of repurposing items.”

A piece of Debbie Conner's art made from recycled items is shown.
A piece of Debbie Conner's art made from recycled items is shown.

Conner has a master's degree in art education. Her bachelor’s degree is in biology and art.

“I enjoy creating: drawing, painting, ceramics, weaving, printmaking and mixed-media,” Conner said. “My art studio is filled with art projects under construction. I put a great deal of attention to details, so it takes a long time for me to complete artwork.”

A piece of Debbie Conner's art made from recycled items is shown.
A piece of Debbie Conner's art made from recycled items is shown.

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Conner’s artwork is on display through May 5 at the River Raisin National Battlefield’s art show.

“I also have paintings on display in Lansing, at the Michigan Education Association building,” she said.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Transforming recyclables into art