Gather your brushes, paint and canvas. Collect your saved Popsicle sticks, pull tabs, newspapers, buttons and old wrapping paper. Put on your play clothes and grab an apron. It’s time for a Green Art Show! When you have a passion for art matched with a love for your planet, you can hold a unique art show that pulls people in and makes them appreciate the Earth.

Start by inviting your friends and family. Ask them to create their own masterpieces with recyclables. Now encourage your town to join in. You can let teachers at the local schools in on the fun - have the students collaborate to make signature pieces of art from recycled materials. You can even hold a short drive in the week leading up to the art making to bring in stuff that otherwise might end up in landfills. Make it a challenge to create beauty out of old items.

If you have a local art gallery, pay them a visit. Ask if they’d be willing to host your event. Let them know it’s a Green Art Show. If there are no art galleries in your area, check out your local community center. You could even have your art show in a park pavilion, or market square! Make sure to find out if permits are required before hand. If you do need a permit, it shouldn’t cost much to acquire one - or you can get a local business to sponsor you and pick up the fee.

Before the big day have all the young artists gather at the art show place. Do a run through. If some haven’t finished their projects, then encourage them to bring them and finish them up there. Make sure you’ve gotten all the entries names right. Suggest they stand by their piece and give the story of their vision with their art.

The day before your display and sale, start setting up your show. First make sure you have enough people to help, then make sure you have easels or something you can prop your art on or against. Place price tags for each piece on the back of the canvas. Price your pieces modestly. Remember you want to sell them, - and parents will want to snag their kids’ artwork.

Follow through by placing an ad in the newspaper announcing your event date. You can also advertise on radio - most local stations will play a free spot to pull you in some foot traffic. When all is in place, don’t forget your buyers. Try to have on hand some refreshments. Cookies and drinks are usually sufficient. Have a decorated box on the table for voluntary donations, too - you’d be surprised at how many people will chip in some extra.

Don’t forget to ask small business owners in the area to show their support - either by sponsoring costs for putting on the show, or by purchasing some art to display. Most people are proud to be known as supporters of green causes!