About Us

AIR Program

The Artist in Residence Program at Recology CleanScapes is a unique art and education program that provides King County artists with access to discarded materials, a stipend, and a studio space at Recology CleanScapes' recycling facility in South Seattle. Modeled after the Artist in Residence Program at Recology San Francisco, Recology CleanScapes hopes to encourage people to conserve natural resources and promote new ways of thinking about art and the environment, by supporting artists who work with recycled materials.

During their residencies, artists have scavenging privileges and access to the company's art studio. Artists speak to school classes and adult tour groups about the experience of working with recycled materials. At the conclusion of their residency, Recology CleanScapes hosts a public exhibition and reception for the artists featuring the artwork made during their residency. When the residency ends, artists contribute artwork to the program's permanent collection and these pieces continue to be shown in off-site exhibitions that promote recycling and reuse.

Information about the 2017 Program

• We're excited to announce this year's artists, Max Cleary and Meg Hartwig!  Meet our 2017 artists.

• Residency duration: April - August

• Final exhibition: September 2017

Learn more about the AIR program and its history

Program Mission

• To encourage the reuse of materials

• To support King County artists by providing access to the wealth of materials available at the Material Recovery Facility

• To prompt children and adults to think about their own consumption practices

• To teach the public how to recycle and compost in King County through classroom lessons that explain the area's three-bin (recycling, compost, garbage) system

Recology CleanScapes Provides

• Access to the material at the recycling facility

• A well-equipped art studio

• An exhibition and reception at the end of the residency (including printed invitations, refreshments, installation assistance, etc.)

• Miscellaneous supplies and equipment

• A monthly stipend

• The presentation of artists' work in off-site exhibitions

Expectations of the Artist

• Work in the studio 20 hours per week for the duration of the residency

• Greet and speak to tour groups

• Make several pieces of art for the company's permanent art collection

• Use materials recovered from King County’s waste stream

• Be available to talk with the media

 

Learn more about our past artists and view photos from the 2016 opening event.