Jefferson County, Washington
Welcome
Micah Wallace, Terianne Stratton, Tracy Grisman, and Adrianna Santiago during the first pilot project September 2021. Please enjoy looking around and contact us if you want.
The wall
Playing around on the grounds
Playing around on the grounds
This year is a little different. The regular "floor" takes in the municipal, household and business trash, and now "the wall", down the hill - is the new designated area for contractors to unload their discards. Also the main dumpsters for metal recycling are in that area. Margie found some interesting items to work with.
Playing around on the grounds
Playing around on the grounds
Playing around on the grounds
One of the fun things to do when gleaning with someone else is collaborating in making impromptu assemblages and photographing them. Basically you take turns adding recently found treasures until you deem it done!
Margie's Orientation
Margie's Orientation
Margie's Orientation
Jefferson Co. Solid Waste manager, Al Cairns joins us for orientation to help show Margie "the ropes" Margie is a quick study and we are all excited to be working with her this summer.
orientation begins
Margie's Orientation
Margie's Orientation
Margie 's first time out! Hard hat, safety vest, two way- Ready to roll!
Over seerer
First day on the "floor"
First day on the "floor"
Resident Eagle overseeing the situation
First day on the "floor"
First day on the "floor"
First day on the "floor"
Margie seems pretty excited to be here as well!
The wall
Crew in Training
Crew in Training
FInding some colorful remnants sparked Margie's interest.
Crew in Training
Crew in Training
Crew in Training
Helpful transfer station team member, Deborah training on the new equipment, while helping the artist move some some found materials from the wall to the A.I.R.E. studio/office area. THANK YOU!
ANNOUNCING the 2024 A.I.R.E. Artist!!!!!
A.I.R.E. is proud to announce world renowned multi- disciplinary artist extraordinaire and teacher, Margie McDonald to be our 2024 Artist in Residence at the Transfer Station!!!
Margie comes to us with a wealth of experience in using found materials to create the most awesome 3D delights: Whether creating a formal ballroom gown with ass gaskets or a universe of suspended thingamajigs, we look forward to what Margie is going to create and exhibit during her time at Jefferson County Transfer Station.
About Margie McDonald
Deeply informed by the traditional crafts from her native Newfoundland, Margie McDonald received a BFA in Textile Arts (Nova Scotia College of Art, 1987).
Upon arriving in Port Townsend she began an apprenticeship in yacht rigging (1998-2006). This work revealed that wire can be handled like fiber. Combining wire and scrap yard she quickly learned to play with the materials and sculptural forms that could be interpreted as a deep- sea organism came into being.
Winner of multiple awards (Port Townsend Wearable Art 2010-2018) She has exhibited in New Zealand's World of Wearable Art (2013, 2014). Her piece ‘Wired' was retained for museum display.
A large wood mosaic wall ‘Multiverse', and a copper wire railing are permanent installations at Key City Public Theatre.
Margie's solo shows include; an installation at the inaugural exhibition of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (2013), The Britannia Copper Museum, British Columbia (2012), and the Leady-Volkous Art Center, Kansas City (2008).
She is currently working on her next show at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art fir 2027.
About Us
Art starts here
Why make art from trash?
Why make art from trash?
"If much contemporary art appears divorced from the popular expectations of ‘fine arts,’ it remains a way of seeing, sometimes more connected to or embedded in life than previously expected. While entangling visual art with the cold realities of our current environment, some artists are realizing that they then can envision alternative fu
"If much contemporary art appears divorced from the popular expectations of ‘fine arts,’ it remains a way of seeing, sometimes more connected to or embedded in life than previously expected. While entangling visual art with the cold realities of our current environment, some artists are realizing that they then can envision alternative futures, produce redemptive and restorative vehicles with which to open cracks into other worlds, and rehabilitate the role of the communal imagination. Artists are good at slipping between the institutional walls to expose the layers of the emotional."
–Lucy Lippard, Undermining
Modeled on Recology SF, Port Townsend hosts an artist in Residence and waste education program on site at Jefferson County Transfer Station. Come and see what we are up to.
Why make art from trash?
Why make art from trash?
Why make art from trash?
Mission: A.I.R.E. provides an·opportunity for local artists to create and exhibit artworks made from discarded materials to assist in bringing the issues of waste to the forefront in a more creative and impactful way.
Goals for Jefferson County Transfer Station Artist-in-Residence and Educational Program:
· Collaborate with Dept of Rec
Mission: A.I.R.E. provides an·opportunity for local artists to create and exhibit artworks made from discarded materials to assist in bringing the issues of waste to the forefront in a more creative and impactful way.
Goals for Jefferson County Transfer Station Artist-in-Residence and Educational Program:
· Collaborate with Dept of Recology and the Jefferson County Environmental agency to better educate the public on where our trash goes and our current waste protocols and best practices.
· Inspire thought and action on how to be better stewards of our lands.
Educational Program
Educational Program
Educational Program
This part of the project was inspired by trash activist Louis Mann from "Signal Mountain" TN. Signal Mt Recycling Center featured a little cabin on site which welcomed folks to learn more about waste practices. Our AIRE program wants to work with the Transfer station workers to help educate others on how to properly dispose of their discards.
BIG NEWS!!!
Educational Program
Educational Program
A.I.R.E. has joined up with Local 20/20's Beyond Waste Action Group!
We found a home in Local 20/20! We have been looking to become or join a 501c3, and found our missions are in alignment, the people are fun to work with and joining up with BW will enable us to reach out to the larger community.
Thank you Local 20/20 and Beyond Waste for
A.I.R.E. has joined up with Local 20/20's Beyond Waste Action Group!
We found a home in Local 20/20! We have been looking to become or join a 501c3, and found our missions are in alignment, the people are fun to work with and joining up with BW will enable us to reach out to the larger community.
Thank you Local 20/20 and Beyond Waste for welcoming us!
Check out Local 20/20 Beyond Waste page here:
https://l2020.org/beyond-waste/
Since we are all volunteers here, we move a little slow, but aim to grow a thriving program that lasts for years
Artist in residence program
Artist in residence program
Artist in residence program
In a 3 month period, the artist in resident have dumping floor privileges to retrieve materials and make artwork. The artist will spend some of the time working on ways to educate the public on the issues of waste and our local recycling practices in Jefferson County. The artist can exhibit following the residency. Applications will be available Jan 15, 2025 through March 23, 2025 for the June-August residency.
Safety First
Artist in residence program
Artist in residence program
Saftey is our top priority!
Our committee holds safety of the artists, staff, and public as the highest priority. We realize a safe environment is a critical part of the health and success of the program. There is a first aide kit in the artist office/studio and an eye wash station in the Transfer Station employee break room. We have invited the Jefferson County Transfer Station to set the ground rules for our policy.
Educational program
Artist in residence program
Educational program
The Department of Ecology with Jefferson Co Solid Waste Management and SWAC are working together to focus on the getting the word out about contamination on our recyclables. We all get excited about recycling but it can be so confusing! So many kinds of plastics, etc.- and it changes from county to county or town to town. We aim to help people understand what is recycable, how it is recycled, where it goes and what it is made from.
How to be involved
How to be involved
Educational program
It didn't take long to realize that we weren't the only ones that had a passion for trashion. You may want to become involved in our new project by applying to be an artist in residence or a member of our planning committee.
Also, you may help support the program by helping fund the artist stipend. You can donate funds through Local 20/20 website and please state it is for the A.I.R.E. program.
our budget
How to be involved
our budget
We do not have a large overhead- our annual expenses are the artist stipend of 2k, extra materials- about 300.00, team and artist orientation dinner, and exhibit reception snacks and beverages. The last two years, funds were provided by a business sponsorship from Acoustic Disc independent record label.
This year we have joined up with Local 20/20's Beyond Waste Action Group and can accept donations for each year's budget. Please go to the Local 20/20 website and specify funds are to be directed towards the A.I.R.E. program.
ARCHIVES
Past is Prologue
Below are the past posts from most recent news first. We hope you enjoy learning about our efforts and progress.
The Reveal!
Sculpture revealed
To all who couldn't attend, the late afternoon was dynamic and inspiring! It might have been a first to have community be able to park where the cars usually get in line, back up and unload their discards. Solid Waste Manager Al Cairns was there to support our mision. volunteers showed up to help direct parking! Though windy and wild, people seemed to be engaged in the concept of the A.I.R.E. But most exciting was to see artist resident, Carol Rashawnna Williams reveal her dynamic, site specific sculpture donated to the Transfer Station and A.I.R.E! The 50 lb squash and herb garden made a beautiful foreground for the art piece.
We toasted to a very successful first year.
The Process
Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
Carol arrives to town and is orientated to the A.I.R.E. office/studio, the facility, saftey protocols and mining protocols, Carol meets the A.I.R.E. team and the staff. She gets to know the space and gets her saftey vest and hardhat!
Bare bones
Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies
After having a conversation with Justin Miskell, Jefferson County's Transfer Station site manager, Carol put together a narrative utilizing his vision and one of her own and began creating the armature for the trash steward
finding parts
Artist Residencies
finding parts
It was pretty warm outside- A picture of the armature getting afixed to the mined metal bench in my driveway. Music, laughter, concentration and elbow grease alchemized!
first steps
Volunteer Opportunities
finding parts
Cementing
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Mixing cement was a big part of the job. The cement was used to contain the armature pieces and create form, while applying other mined materials for the arms, legs, face, crown, etc.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
A.I.R.E. Team Welcomes Carol!!!
Micah Wallace, Tracy Grisman, Carol Williams and Adrianna Santiago at the Transfer Station, P.T. WA
A view of the A.I.R.E. studio./office All ready to for the summer term.
Artists who are working in large scale can work outside or at their respective studios.
Micah and Adrianna- Garden Preparation May 31st
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
June -Sept 2023
Carol had a productive summer. She was able to quickly come up with a concept and plan and worked hard through the last few months to complete her project. She decided to create a site specific piece for the Transfer Station. We will show images of her process after the reveal. The Cascade Connection crew helped us all summer by watering the A.I.R.E. garden which contains Borage, Feverfew, Oregano, a special squash from Puerto Rico, Calendula and more. The whole Transfer Station crew has been fun and helpful all summer and we thank them so much.
Besides creative work and planning, the AIRE team feels like we learned a lot this year and are looking forward to the next call for artists this January 2024
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
06/19/23 Orientation Begins!
The team welcomed Carol Rashawnna Williams to the A.I.R.E. Program! We spent some time at the Transfer Station introducing her to the crew, the studio space, the process of mining!! An artist with a well spring of ideas and experience, Carol is very excited about the program and we look forward to supporting her work and some collaborative efforts through August.
6/15/23
The A.I.R.E. Team established some transplants from Shy Acre Farm. A bounty of herb and flower starts including Feverfew, Calendula and Oregano will thrive in this spot.
The Team
05/31/23
The Team happenstanced on the last available load of fertilizer from the County Compost Facility. Their crew moved the load and dropped it right on the spot where just an hour before, a grand pile of useable cardboard appeared on the dumping floor which the team immediately scooped up and placed on the ground as soil preparation for the AIRE garden.
05/24/23
Our planning committee members, Adrianna Santiago and Micah Wallace and Tracy Grisman are proud announce our first artist, Carol Rahawnna Williams June-Aug 2023.
Fresh A.I.R.E. has been invited to join the Jeff-Co Solid Waste Facility Task Force to reimagine our Transfer Station which is bursting at the seams.
Past news:
Dec 19th 2022 Call for Artists!
We are now accepting applications for our debut residency. Please email us if you are interested in applying. tracy@aireatthetransferstation.com
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
latest updates and archives
The new Artist-in-Residence and Educational (A.I.R.E.) Program at the Jefferson County Transfer Station is proud to announce the program’s first: Artist extraordinaire, cultural innovator, art enterprenuer, mentor, and change maker, Carol Rashawanga Williams will begin contemplating, manifesting, mining and creating art from what others have deemed garbage June-August 2023. An award winning artist many times over, Carol hails from Seattle but is very connected to Port Townsend and just completed an artist-in–residence at Centrum. 'A large body of my work deals with environmentalism, PNW conifers, old growth trees, endangered animals and climate change”. Carol comes with a wealth of artistic experience of creation and exhibiting, community engagement, educator, and mentor stating she is excited about the residency as a time for experimentation. As from her artist statement: “Williams contends that the only way to shift race relations and understand climate change is through collective imaginings and re-imaginings of equitable relationships to the land, animals and resources. Williams’ aesthetic forms fall, swim, fly, drip and grow through various layers of reality, spirituality and data analysis.” Please check out more about Carol and her work at
https://www.bipocsustainabletinyarthousecommunity.com/
https://www.rashawnna-at-klove4art.com
Inspired by the AIR program in San Francisco, Recology, Glean in Portland, and the Recycling educational site at Signal Mountain TN, the A.I.R.E. Program aims to provide an artist in residency to a local artist while the artist in turn, will help bring to light our issues of waste through creative processes. A.I.R.E. offers mining privileges for materials at the dumping grounds at the Jefferson Co. Transfer Station from June – August 2023. The artist will earn a $2,000 stipend and can exhibit their work a weekend in September 2023. Artists will be asked to spend 12-20 hours per week (2 of those committed to education) in the small studio/office on site or in their respective studios.
For inquiries and application, please contact AIRE by email. tracy@aire@thetransferstation.com
https://aireatthetransferstation.com/