Olivia Kneebone ’27 to home the prize for Best Environmental Message with her piece “Intertwined” at the 4th Used Once, Lasts Forever Art show at Eckerd College on April 15. Photos by Robbyn Hopewell
Madeleine Banfield used plastic scraps and a single-use water bottle to form a stingray on a canvas painted ocean blue.
The Lakeview Fundamental Elementary School fifth grader beamed on April 15 as she held up her first place certificate for “Go Rays” at the Used Once, Lasts Forever Art Show—an annual exhibition and competition of art made of found plastics hosted by Reduce Single-Use at Eckerd College.
“I just did this for fun, and I didn’t even know I was gonna get to the art show and be a grand winner,” Madeleine exclaimed. “We were supposed to make a sea animal. I thought a stingray would be really nice art. I love stingrays, and it seemed like a nice challenge.”
Madeleine was one of four elementary school students to win recognition for their entries in the art show. Reduce Single-Use started a pilot program at Midtown Academy and Lakeview where plastic education was woven into the curriculum throughout the academic year. Teachers also worked with students to craft their pieces for the show.
“Bob the Alien” crafted by Midtown Academy third graders, Brooks Carter and Liam Whisenhunt.
Twenty-four entries came from the local elementary schools, Eckerd College students and community members. Professor of Marine Science and Biology Shannon Gowans, Ph.D., says the purpose of this show is to keep the subject of reducing plastic consumption in the conversations happening outside scientific circles.
Artists and admirers of all ages viewed and voted on the submitted pieces to determine the People’s Choice winner.
“We want people looking at [the plastic problem] from many different perspectives,” Gowans added.
In its fourth iteration, the show drew its largest audience of 200 attendees circulating through Wrenn Hall at the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences to view the creative processes and poignant messages from the artists.
Olivia Kneebone, an Eckerd junior environmental studies student from Newport, South Carolina, managed to sculpt a bird out of plastic found around her dorm and then placed a piece of fishing line recovered while volunteering at a bird rescue in the statue’s beak. She was awarded “Best Environmental Message” for her piece titled “Intertwined.”
“This was really fun,” Olivia said. “ Even if you don’t win, it doesn’t matter, because it’s just fun to come here and see everyone’s awesome stuff. It’s just cool to see how different people interpret with what they have.”
Standing proudly behind a bouquet in a vase made of records she called “Vinyl Flora”, Eckerd student Madi Day explained she never thought something she created for a class would be useful in competition. Madi won “Best Overall Artistic Presentation” for her piece made of albums thrifted and discarded by others.
“In our First-Year Experience class that we take, we talk a lot about how nature connects people,” explained the first-year marine science student from Brownsburg, Indiana. “And so I thought to myself, ‘What else connects people? Music! So, I decided to take the media of music and depict nature through music. Everything was very intentional. That’s why the record casing has people dancing and enjoying and listening to music.”
Ryan Moralevitz entered the competition during his gap year and earned Best Use of Recycled Material for his seahorse sculpture, “Pompilius.”
Elementary schoolers and their families got to converse with college students who are passionate about the environment and artistically inclined as well.
“I think they really loved it,” Gowans said. “It was great to see the children energized by talking to the college students. The college students were also impressed by the kids—a wonderful interconnected evening.”
Since its founding in 2018, Reduce Single-Use at Eckerd College has made strides in reducing plastic consumption through various educational initiatives including having Eckerd College leadership sign a Break Free From Plastic Pledge to eliminate spending non-essential single-use plastic items; development of the Remora app designed to track plastic usage; environmental cleanups; make-your-own reusable events; and the annual art show.
Gowans credits grant funding, dedicated volunteers and student engagement for fomenting a change in the way Eckerd College approaches plastics.
“We’ve created a culture of awareness and interest in being more sustainable across all members of the campus community,” Gowans said.
Art Show Winners 2026
Lakeview Fundamental Winner:
Madeleine Banfield, Grade 5
“Go Rays”
Midtown Academy Winner:
Brooks Carter & Liam Whisenhunt, Grade 3
“Bob the Alien”
People’s Choice
Ruby Nicol
“A Fearful Fate”
Best Use of Recycled Material
Ryan Moralevitz
“Pompilius”
Most Creative Concept
Jace Weldon
“Reducing Plastics Challenge”
Best Environmental Message
Olivia Kneebone
“Intertwined”
Best Overall Artistic Presentation
Madi Day
“Vinyl Flora”
