In the heart of Wheeler, Oregon, a unique festival is transforming the way we think about waste. The Heart of Cartm, a local non-profit organization, has been hosting the Trash Bash Art Festival since 1999. This event celebrates artists and designers who use waste as a resource, turning trash into treasure.

This year, the festival took place from May 5th to May 20th, 2023, across four different venues, each showcasing a different art form centered around reimagining our waste stream. The festival culminated in a grand event on Saturday, May 20th, at the Nehalem Bay Winery.

The Trashion Show, a highlight of the festival, began in 2007 on a runway made of overturned dumpsters. This year, the show featured awe-inspiring creations made entirely out of discards. The designs were so impressive that one could be forgiven for thinking they were shipped from Milan, but these early Spring fashions were pulled right out of the trash can.

The festival also included a Trash Art Gallery, which displayed and sold the finest of reimagined trash, and Trash Tales Storytelling, where participants shared stories, poems, and essays focused on “trash.”

The Heart of Cartm’s mission is to inspire a culture of zero waste, and the Trash Bash Art Festival is a testament to their commitment. By showcasing the creative potential of discarded materials, the festival challenges our perceptions of waste and encourages us to see the value in what we often overlook.

The Power of Reimagining Waste

The Trash Bash Art Festival is more than just an art show; it’s a celebration of resourcefulness and creativity. It’s a testament to the power of reimagining waste and the potential for transformation that lies within each discarded item.

The Trashion Show: A Runway Revolution

In an era where fast fashion and consumerism are increasingly under scrutiny, the Trashion Show stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability. This unique event, held as part of the Trash Bash Art Festival, challenges the norms of the fashion industry in the most creative way possible – by turning waste into wearable art.

The Trashion Show began in 2007, with a runway made of overturned dumpsters. This unconventional start set the tone for what has become a much-anticipated annual event. Designers, artists, and creative individuals gather to showcase their creations, each piece made entirely from discarded materials.

The designs that grace the Trashion Show runway are as diverse as the materials used to create them. From dresses made of discarded plastic bags to suits crafted from old newspapers, each piece is a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of the designers. These are not just clothes; they are wearable pieces of art, each with a story to tell about the potential of reimagined waste.

But the Trashion Show is more than just a display of creative talent. It’s a statement against the wasteful practices of the fashion industry, which is notorious for its environmental impact. The show challenges the idea that new is always better, demonstrating that beauty, style, and innovation can be found in the most unlikely of places – even in the trash.

Moreover, the Trashion Show is a call to action. It encourages us to rethink our consumption habits, to consider the lifecycle of the items we use, and to see the potential in what we might otherwise discard. It’s a reminder that in the pursuit of sustainability, creativity is our greatest asset.

In a world where we are increasingly aware of the need for sustainable practices, the Trashion Show offers a fresh perspective. It’s a celebration of creativity, resourcefulness, and the endless potential of reimagined waste. And in doing so, it’s revolutionizing the runway, one piece of trash at a time.

Trash Tales: Stories of Our Waste

The Trash Tales Storytelling event is a unique platform for sharing stories about our relationship with waste. It’s a space for reflection and conversation about the stuff we toss (or don’t toss) and what it means to face the garbage of our lives.

The Trash Bash Art Festival is a celebration of creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainability. It’s a reminder that even in our waste, there is potential for beauty and transformation. Visit https://www.heartofcartm.org/ for more information about upcoming events.