Greenway Guardians
Sculpting Change: Youth-led Litter Sculpture in Commerce City
What is the Greenway Guardians Project?
A group of young stewards ages 10 to 17 from Commerce City are working collaboratively with the SCRGP and a local artist to design, create, and install a temporary pubic sculpture made out of litter collected from the Sand Creek Greenway.
Through this project we aim to amplify youth voices in Commerce City through their involvement in designing and creating this litter sculpture and working alongside SCRGP staff to engage the community in environmental stewardship and beautification.
This project will run February through October 2024. Visit this page for continuous project updates!
Project Updates
The Greenway Guardians Youth Committee has officially chosen the local artist they will be working with on this project, Kalliopi Monoyios! Through much of her environmentally-themed work that deals with plastic, Kalliopi seeks to embrace the complexity of our relationship with the material. She incorporates materials that would have traditionally been thrown away into her work trash into something beautiful. Kalliopi is thrilled to be selected by the youth to work on this project!
Kalliopi: “I used to think that as an artist, I couldn’t do anything to help my community and all the problems in the world. But what I’ve learned is that everyone has a role to play, whether you’re an artist, a teacher, an activist or a scientist. Each one of you has interests and talents we can put to use to make our world better. By creating a collaborative sculpture with you about how trash impacts our environment, I hope to remind people that we cannot tackle this problem alone, but together we can raise awareness and find more sustainable solutions.”
Find out more about Kalliopi at https://www.kalliopimonoyios.com/
Together, Kalliopi and Commerce City will be working hard through the middle of July to create a sculpture made out of litter collected from the Sand Creek Greenway. We are now in the process of collecting litter from to be incorporated into the sculpture. Support this project by joining us for one or more of our community trash clean-ups! Event details below.
How can you be involved?
We need your help making this project a success!
Are you a youth between the ages of 10 and 17 living in Commerce City?
We are still recruiting youth for the project! Join the Greenway Guardians Youth Committee to help make a change in your community. Click here for more details regarding meeting times, meeting locations (Eagle Point Recreation Center or on the Greenway), and the benefits of participating!
Are you an artist who is interested in working with youth to fabricate this unique art piece?
Our Request for Qualifications period is open! Visit ArtCall.org for more information. Request for Qualifications period ends Saturday March 16th at 6pm.
Are you a community member looking to help enhance the Commerce City community?
Calling all volunteers! We need help picking up litter during our community trash pick-ups. The trash collected during these pick-ups will be sorted and used to create the sculpture! Community volunteer trash clean-up dates below (open to all ages).
-Saturday April 20th, 11am - 1pm: Trash Pick-up
Register for this event here!
-Monday April 22nd, 4:30-6pm: Earth Day 🌍 Trash Pick-up
Register for this event here!
Are you an organization or group that is interested in supporting Commerce City youth?
We are looking for organizations/groups to join us for our sculpture unveiling event! Support this project while also raising awareness of your work by hosting a table at the event. Unveiling event expected to take place in July 2024. Additionally, we could use your help to spread the word about this project via your social media channels!
If you are interested in joining us for the unveiling event or sharing information about the project with your community please contact Elena Smith at esmith@sandcreekgreenway.org.
