Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in our celebration! Photos from the event are posted HERE.
The Compost Drop-off program received grant funds from the Arts Council of the Valley earlier this year to commission local artist Erin Murray to create a compost-related painting for installation at the downtown Community Compost Drop-off spot.
It’s completed, a print of it has been installed at the bins spot, and it is amazing! Go by the location to view it and/or come celebrate this work and the magic of composting at a dedication event on Saturday, August 17 from 10-11AM during the Farmers Market.
Come to the Community Compost Drop-off spot at the gravel parking lot at Warren and S Liberty St on Saturday, August 17 between 10 and 11 am for a dedication of newly installed artwork, and celebration of composting. Meet the artist, Erin Murray, and local composting champions. Learn about local composting efforts and how you can compost at home.
Meant to be enjoyed by users of the compost drop-off program and passers-by alike, this public artwork is a whimsical look at the “No Waste World” of wildlife. By mimicking nature, we too can recycle much of our waste to create new life. Whether with a backyard compost bin or a community compost drop-off program, composting makes 
our world richer.
Thanks to the Arts Council of the Valley and the creative talents of local artist Erin Murray for this inspiring and fun way to promote composting!
Also thanks to Harrisonburg Parks & Rec Department’s Jeremy Harold for providing the cedar logs used to create the artwork print frame and posts, and Headwaters Master Naturalist David Forrer for volunteering his time and woodworking skills to build the frame post.
More about the Artwork Dedication & Celebration of Composting Event
Erin Murray will be on hand with her original painting* and be available to discuss her work.
Representatives of Soil Cycles can let you know about what they’ve been doing to get Harrisonburg composting.
We’ll have a kids’ activity we’re calling a “compost critter safari” where we will be searching through finished compost to find and identify all the hard-working critters we have to thank for helping to turn garbage into great stuff. Of course, you don’t have to be a kid to have fun with this!
Headwaters Master Naturalist Chris Bowlen will have a worm composting set up to demonstrate for anyone interested.
Kathy Yoder, who facilitates the composting efforts and vegetable gardens at Waterman Elementary, will be on hand to tell us about her work with these projects.
Matthew Freed with Eastern Mennonite University helps manage their campus-wise composting program and will be available to discuss about it.
Also look for displays on the many benefits of composting and how you can compost at home.
* Watch for this painting to appear inside public areas around the valley over the coming year!
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley 