I discovered that a compelling project needed to be developed and implemented for the February 2014 Family Day event, Kongo Across the Waters at the Samuel P. Harn Museum.  The art project design needed to accommodate up to two hundred participants from ages two to adult. In addition, the project focus needed to connect to the current exhibit on display at the museum.  As I toured the museum to find inspiration for the event, I was especially drawn to the work of African artist El Anatsui.  His work, “Old Man’s Cloth,” is made by transforming discarded metal bottle cap labels and connecting them with wire to make a beautiful tapestry wall hanging.  I also observed a variety of other African personal adornment pieces using repurposed materials.

Combining my sustainable research and inspiration from the museum exhibit visit, I experimented with materials to develop prototypes of potential project ideas for the family day event. One thing that stood out during my research is the need to promote cultural change in the community. After visiting the Repurpose Project, a local center that collects materials intended for landfills for resale and donations to community projects. I observed that they were receiving large amounts of plastic bottle caps and was surprised to learn that the caps are not recycled locally.   I thought that it would be an interesting challenge to repurpose the bottle caps as material for an art project needed for the family event at the museum.  I also envisioned a project being a vehicle in promoting the Repurpose Project as well as an opportunity to engage families in dialogue about recycling.  

The uniqueness of this project created an opportunity to join several community entities, a local business, the university, and community at large.