Ever feel frustrated with students repeatedly throwing their work away in the trash? It can be tricky to figure out how to navigate students who are dissatisfied with their work, or who just don't seem to value it. It feels restrictive to tell them that they cannot throw out their work, but it feels wrong to let them. The Bin for Abandoned Artwork is a good solution for a few reasons.
One, they are still able to 'get rid' of the artwork they are not happy with. It does not feel like you are insisting they keep something they don't want to; they are still able to part ways with it without crumpling it up and throwing it away.
Two, it is a great way to recycle paper and works. So much paper is lost to the few students who just can't seem to make work to their standards. Some students can easily bin 10 pieces of paper in a class if you are not paying attention. When it comes to making an art-budget last all resources are valuable, so recycling student work can give materials a second life.
Three, it can be used as an early finisher exercise and boost student confidence. If students were done with a project earlier than their peers, I would give them the option to work on a second draft OR to take a work or works out of the Bin for Abandoned Artwork to make something new. I gave students the option of drawing, painting, or collaging with work from the box and saw students try each method. It is a great lesson for students creating to see that artwork that was unwanted can be made into something new and amazing and it can be helpful to show the student who binned their work what became of it.
