Microplastics takes top honours at Waste to Art Exhibition
Published on 17 November 2025
A striking plastic mosaic highlighting the dangers of microplastic consumption, alongside dresses crafted from recycled denim and storage bags captivated audiences at the Waste to Art Exhibition, which opened over the weekend in Maryborough.
Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Sara Faraj said the popular annual exhibition features 114 creative entries now on display at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough, including the newly introduced Wearable Art Category.
“Now in its eighth year, this event challenges how we see waste, showcasing artists’ creativity as they transform everyday items into incredible artworks and fashion,” she said.
“The Wearable Art Category proved especially popular in its first year, with 23 incredible entries.
“All participants modelled their fashion creations on a runway, which was so much fun and a delight to judge.
Cr Faraj said the runway featured fashion made from bubble wrap, sponges, rescued curtains, stuffed animals, and more.
“The runway highlights came from a stunning dress made completely out of stripey storage bags and a one-of-a-kind dress made from recycled denim giving new life to classic blue jeans,” she said.
“It was truly inspiring to see the effort, thought and creativity these artists used to breathe new life into old or unwanted materials, creating pieces that are both thought-provoking and visually striking.”
Resource Recovery spokesperson Cr Michelle Byrne said a $5,000 prize pool in Buy Local Gift Cards was awarded this year thanks to generous support from sponsors Hyne Timber, Cleanaway, the Reuse and Recycle Group, and Nugrow.
“The top prize in the Over 18s category went to Adriana Van Leeuwen for her impressive piece Bon Appetit - a plastic mosaic showcasing common consumer products that contain microplastics,” she said.
“This piece shows bottled water, fish, rice and fruit as some of the everyday products containing the most microplastics.
“The artwork took Adriana two years to complete, using plastic pieces collected from local beaches.”
Adriana said she titled the piece Bon Appetit to reflect the confronting reality that when you eat these products, you are actually consuming microplastics which is really scary.
“My message to everyone is to really think about reducing the amount of plastic you use. Look for products at the supermarket with no plastic, and remember that when you throw something away, it still ends up somewhere,” she said.
Cr Byrne said the entries were incredibly creative this year, the quality was outstanding, and every artwork carried a meaningful message.
“Now in its eighth year, the competition requires all works to be made from recycled or repurposed materials sourced from Reuse Markets, op shops, or second-hand stores,” she said.
“Its purpose is to change the way we look at waste and spark conversations about how we can recycle and repurpose better as a community.”
The full list of 2025 Waste to Art winners:
Over 18s Category
1st Prize – Bon Appetit – Adriana Van Leeuwen
2nd Prize – Lure of the Salvaged Siren – Nora Hanasy
3rd Prize – Fragmented Future – Alison Smith
12 – 17 Year Olds
1st Prize –Bouquet of Spring – Scarlett Spencer
2nd Prize – Leopard Reef – Milla Arnott
3rd Prize – Ghost of the deep – Ezabella Byju
8 – 11 Year Olds
1st Prize –Trash Turtle – Willow Thomas
2nd Prize – Jellyfish Family – Sophie Friend
3rd Prize – Beecycled – St Helens ecowarriors
Under 8s
1st Prize –The Beedazzled Hive – Busy Bees Fraser Coast
2nd Prize – Robo the Robot – Eliza Pfrunder
3rd Prize – Rainbow Fish – Koala Kindy
Wearable Art – Under 18s
1st Prize – Joni Cobbin – The $2 Transformation
2nd Prize – Nessa Bourke – Mother Earth
Wearable Art – Over 18s
1st Prize – Florentina Triastuti – Den I’m in Love
2nd Prize – Aileenette Almazan-Appleby – Hagseed Couture
The Waste to Art exhibition is now on display at Gatakers Artspace until Saturday 3 January, 2026 and entry is free.
Gatakers Artspace is open Tuesdays to Fridays 9.30am to 3.30pm and weekends 9.30am to 2pm.
Visitors are invited to participate in the People's Choice Award by voting for their favourite artwork in the exhibition.
Simply visit Gatakers to view the pieces and cast your vote in the ballot box on-site.
For more information go to https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/waste-to-art