Viridian Artists is pleased to present the 18th iteration of Art from Detritus: Recycling with Imagination. The exhibit extends from Tuesday, October 20, through Saturday, November 7, 2026. The Opening Reception will be Thursday, October 22, 6—8 PM, with a closing reception on Saturday, November 7, 4—6 PM. Art from Detritus showcases artworks made from recycled, reclaimed, and discarded materials, with the aim of promoting environmental awareness and demonstrating the creative potential of waste. Art from Detritus is an ongoing series of juried and curated exhibitions founded by American artist and curator Vernita Nemec in 1994. Nemec organized the first Art from Detritus exhibition in Portland, Oregon in collaboration with the National Recycling Coalition and the National Audubon Society, to highlight the artistic possibilities of post-consumer materials. The exhibition emerged during a period of growing public concern about waste management, recycling infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Following the success of the inaugural show, Nemec has continued to curate Art from Detritus exhibitions in cities including New York, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Phoenix and has received supportive funding from the Puffin Foundation and the Kaufmann Foundation. Each iteration has featured artists working with discarded materials and trash such as paper, plastics, metal, fabric, and found objects, emphasizing the diversity of recycled material practices.
