ARTISTS WHO CREATE PRODUCTS
The RECYCLE CHALLENGE has several artists who design and create products as volunteers (with the assistance of youth and university volunteers from Virage and CORE New Orleans). These products are made solely from recycled materials. Meet each artist and their area of expertise.
The Recycle Challenge will feature products from recycled artists utilizing them as "throws" or "gives" in its festivals and events. We are developing a training program that will target at-risk children and youth, and include special needs youth. We currently have VIRAGE volunteers of five to seven youths and young adults who assist in building costumes to assembling special gifts.
VOLUNTEERS
For 2022- 2023, VIRAGE volunteers, The Recycle Challenge volunteer, Charissa (white sweat shirt) along with CORE NEW ORLEANS manager, Latoya Jefferson (pictured in black sweatshirt).
For 2022- 2023, CMMP Volunteers have assisted us in crafting and mending costumes and community clean ups.
OUR RESIDENTS
LEAD RECYCLE ARTIST:
MADERA E. ROGERS-HENRY
BORN: El Paso, Texas
CURRENT HOME: New Orleans
Madera is the main recycle artist for The Recycle Challenge s in artist and trainer for all preparation of costumes. Her preferred medium is recycled paper.
MILLINERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA
Introducing NICOLE LEHMAN
Residency: Wearable Art Headpieces
August 28, 2024
Nico Lehman graduated from the University of Florida with a major in Art in 2003. After college, she spent the next 19 years in New York City working in the film and television industry as an editor and producer for various networks including MTV, Bravo, and A&E. After editing work became remote, she and her family relocated back to Florida in 2021. During her first year back, she was able to immerse herself in the local art scene where moving boxes became her medium, producing giant cigarettes and recycled footwear. She is a multi talented artist who enjoys working in various mediums, often using thought provoking, unusual, and pop culture themes. The variety of her work includes pill-filled furniture, paper wigs and felt hats, glass layered collage, cardboard sculptures, and recycled fashion. Nico prefers using recycled materials that she finds on the street, in thrift stores, or scraps from her own consumption. Her goal is always to turn something that has been thrown out into something that is unforgettable.
Rueben craddock
Born: New Orleans
Since joining the Recycle Challemge in 2017, Rueben is the main body fabricator for more detailsed costumes. He has expanded his crafting to include plastic suits. materials.
ABBY Gaudette
Artist - In - Residency
Current Home: Manhattan, New York
Originally from Boston, and a graduate of Massachusetts College of Art in Graphic Design, Abby Gaudette has been living in NYC since 2001. In addition to design, Abby's passions are photography, typography, the fine arts, instructional design, crafting, classical music, museums, hot yoga, NYC, and NOLA.
WENDY french-BARRETT
Artist -In - Residency
Resides: Nashville
My name is Wendy French Barrett. I’m a professional butter maker and visual artist who met Madera via Kolaj institute in January 2024. We worked together to craft a corset out of the newspaper I help publish here in Nashville TN.
JADE
Whose Magazine? A Youth Publication
Artist - In -Residency
Resides: Denver
Jade and her grandmother Linda C. Shaw, joined our New Orleans team for The 3rd Recycle Challenge Parade & Festival in New Orleans. This was Jade's & Linda's first time traveling from Colorado to New Orleans.
OUR ARTISTS
la'taijah jefferson
15 year old
Current Home: New Orleans
Sophmore at Livingston Collegiate
Started crocheting eight months ago. Utilize repurposed yarn, plastic grocery bags and other recycled materials.
Belgica Coignet
Born: Panama
Current Home: 45 years New Orleans
Has been creating crochet outfits since she was a child. Last year she was given the opportunity to create outfits utilizing plastic grocery bags and other recycled materials.
