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Turn trash into conversation: Port Royal Sound’s Recycled Art Contest pairs shoreline cleanup with public exhibition. Register by November 10, 2026, craft from non-recyclable debris, and see your piece displayed at the Maritime Center.
Turn trash into conversation: Port Royal Sound’s Recycled Art Contest pairs shoreline cleanup with public exhibition. Register by November 10, 2026, craft from non-recyclable debris, and see your piece displayed at the Maritime Center.
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Operated by Port Royal Sound Foundation · Okatie, South Carolina
On the edge of Port Royal Sound, in Okatie, South Carolina, the Recycled Art Contest invites makers and beachgoers to turn coastal debris into striking statements. Hosted by the Port Royal Sound community and displayed at the Maritime Center, the competition links shoreline cleanup with public art, asking entrants to build pieces from trash that cannot be recycled and that has been collected from beaches, shorelines, roadways, or neighborhoods.
The contest reads like a field guide to the estuary: artists work with items shaped by tidal channels, salt‑stained rope, weathered plastics, and driftwood that reflect the sound’s system of barrier islands and salt marsh creeks. Port Royal Sound is a tidal estuary where sand, shell, and peat meet wide marshes and shallow channels—materials and context that make recycled sculpture here tactile and immediate. The Maritime Center will accept entries between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 13 and 14, 2026; registration closes November 10, 2026, and winning works remain on display through January 30, 2027.
Entries are judged across multiple categories—Best Youth Entry (12 & under), Best School Entry, Best Group, Best Individual Entry, Best Use of Materials, PRSF Award, and Best In Show—with prizes ranging from $350 to $550. Rules are practical: pieces must be transportable, free of sharp edges, cleaned and safe to handle, and labeled with contact information. Weather‑resistant works are encouraged to drain and not trap water unless designed to do so; organizers reserve the right to decline unstable items.
This contest is a rare blend of civic engagement and outdoor stewardship. It’s an opportunity to comb the beaches at low tide, to learn how storm cycles redistribute plastic, and to translate environmental issue into visual argument. For families, schools, and neighborhood groups, the project doubles as a cleanup plan and a creative curriculum. For visitors staying in Okatie, the show offers a close look at the region’s marine ecology and cultural relationship to the coast, from fishing traditions to present‑day conservation efforts.
Bring basic tools, plan for transport through standard doorways, and expect that pieces may be moved multiple times during installation. Whether you sketch a life‑size sea creature from discarded float lines or craft a modern sweetgrass‑inspired basket from shoreline finds, the contest frames cleanup as craft—and crafts a new way for the Port Royal Sound community to see its shoreline.
The contest is limited to 100 entries, so register early. Judging takes place the week of November 16, 2026, and winners will be notified and announced on social media on November 23. Unclaimed artwork will be disposed of after January 30, 2027. Groups, schools, businesses, and individuals are all welcome—bring a tape measure and a story about where your materials were collected today.
Online registration must be completed by November 10, 2026.
Entries are due to the Maritime Center between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 13 and 14, 2026.
Entries must be made from trash material that cannot be recycled, cleaned up from the environment, and safe to touch; no sharp edges.
The contest is limited to 100 entries.
Judging takes place the week of November 16, 2026; winners will be notified and announced on social media on November 23, 2026.
Winning entries and exhibited work will remain on display at the Maritime Center through January 30, 2027; unclaimed pieces may be disposed of after that date.
Port Royal Sound Foundation operates the Maritime Center in Okatie, South Carolina, and delivers hands-on environmental education and guided field experiences across the Port Royal Sound watershed. The Foundation offers a mix of guided kayak tours, public programs, and family activities designed to introduce visitors to Lowcountry habitats and wildlife. Programs include a two-hour guided Kayak Tour on the Chechessee River led by a PRSF Naturalist, a two-hour Nature Writing kayak experience that combines paddling with an inspired writing session, and a Reptile Meet & Greet featuring turtles, snakes, and alligators presented by trained Naturalists. The Maritime Center hosts Tuesday Talks — hour-long presentations on wildlife, history, and home-and-garden topics — and creative community events such as Fish Printing, where participants decorate reusable bags with fish stamps to promote sustainability. Port Royal Sound Foundation emphasizes education, stewardship, and safe, accessible access to coastal environments. Naturalists and program leaders provide interpretation, species identification, and contextual information during each program. Family participation is encouraged; several programs welcome children and intergenerational groups. Visitors can expect short, guided programs ranging from one to two hours, focused on exploration, learning, and hands-on engagement. The Foundation’s programs leverage local waterways and the Maritime Center’s facilities to make Lowcountry ecosystems approachable for residents and visitors. For schedules and registration, consult the Port Royal Sound Foundation website or contact the Maritime Center directly. Public program details, dates, and age requirements are maintained online to ensure accurate planning before arrival and to support safe, informed participation and conservation education.
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