The One Offbeat New Mexico Festival You Have To See To Believe
Among the things that New Mexicans love are art and our environment. The quirky and clever Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival cleverly showcases them both. This Santa Fe festival is the country’s largest and oldest recycled art market, drawing thousands of art lovers and eco-conscious shoppers from the New Mexico, the southwest and beyond.The weekend-long festival features several events, all revolving around recycled materials.

The costumes aren't just throw-away designs either. Some designers spend months sourcing and crafting their costumes. Also, former participants and winners of the recycled fashion show have gone on to study design at noted fashion schools.

This sculpture (called "Blind Faith"), from a past show, was created by Douglas Duffy.

Often, a lesson plan on recycling or the environment inspires the student art.

Jewelry, like this hand-made piece from artist Kari Stringer, is a popular art market item.

Make and Take materials, in part, come from donated items that would otherwise be thrown away.

If you have items you think a recycled-material artist would be interested in (or if you are an artist looking for materials) add your information to the Recycled Art Waste Exchange.

The Saturday and Sunday (9 am to 5 pm) activities are free. Friday night events are $5. Fashion show tickets are $15 to $20. Children's tickets (12 and under) are $8. Find more information at Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival.
Have you been to this art show/ festival before? What did you think? Do you make art out of recycled materials? We want to hear! Share, below, in the comments.
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