Play is the thing for Art at the Dump

CORNWALL — If there’s anything good to say about winter’s icy roads, it’s that they create a need for a sand shed. And by spring, there’s plenty of room in it for one of the social-artistic events of the season.

The eighth annual Art at the Dump is set for Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme is "Play It Again."

Artistic experience is not needed to participate. The only requirement is that artwork be made from recycled items and bear some spin on the theme of "play," such as toys, sports or music.

Entries are for sale at the discretion of the artist, with 30 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Cornwall Consolidated School art department.

For those who haven’t heard the story by now (it bears repeating, anyway): Show founder Gail Jacobsen’s idea was to claim art from trash and recyclables, so the dump — ahem, transfer station — provided just the right atmosphere. While thinking of a catchy name, she recalled her husband bringing home pearls of wisdom from his Saturday morning dump runs from longtime "dumpmaster" Art Breen. His stories always began with "Art at the dump said . . ."

The concept caught on quickly, and now as each spring approaches, trash that will become treasure is scooped up by Cornwall’s creative community members from recycling bins and roadside pickup spots.

Atmosphere-wise, Jacobsen could do without rain. Too many years have brought cold downpours. The sand shed provides shelter and the show goes on, but it seems Art at the Dump is due for a sunny day.

Artists are invited to bring items for exhibit between 8 and 10 a.m. the day of the show. For more information, call 860-672-6639.