Iowa River Trash Turned into Art for UNI Exhibit

Press release from University of Northern Iowa:

More than 1,500 pounds of trash is currently on the third floor of the University of Northern Iowa's Rod Library. 

The trash is in the form of three sculptures on display as part of the exhibit "Riverse: The Art of Project A.W.A.R.E." 

David Williamson, the artist who created these sculptures, and Lynette Siegley, director of Iowa Project A.W.A.R.E., will discuss Project A.W.A.R.E. (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition) and the art it has produced. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, on the third floor of Rod Library.

"The library is pleased to be working with the Office of Sustainability to host this exhibit and bring these speakers to campus," said Christopher Cox, dean of Library Services at Rod Library. "The project is a compelling intersection of conservation and art, two topics the library and its staff care deeply about."

Project A.W.A.R.E. was launched at UNI in 2003 by alumnus Brian Soenen in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The project has removed close to 300 tons of trash from Iowa rivers during its 11 years. The exhibit and lecture are sponsored by Rod Library and the Office of Sustainability.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Cox at 319-273-2737 or chris.cox@uni.edu.