The UMA branch of AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) entered a design completion sponsored by ECOMaine titled “Recycling is a Work of Art,” which sought a design that could be painted on a recycling bin that would be located in the City of Augusta. The winning submission would be provided funds by ECOMaine to paint their design on the recycling bin.
UMA’s AIAS chapter held a group design charrette to create an illustration and they settled on a nautical scene, depicting Maine water life because it both represented Maine and displayed an important part of the ecosystem that is hurt by a lack of recycling. The theme “Recycle for the Life Cycle” speaks to the obligation we have as humans to make conscious choices in our day- to- day lives, in order to protect our surrounding ecosystems.
ECOMaine selected AIAS’s design and in early August, the members spent two Saturdays in the lovely sunshine behind Handley Hall on Front Street to paint the design on the recycling bin, all the while maintaining physical distancing and masking requirements due to the pandemic. The recycle bin will be relocated from Handley Hall to another spot within the City of Augusta. All members enjoyed taking part in the project and interacting with the members of the community who came by to observe the activities.
