Transforming Trash into Treasure: The Artistic Mission of ‘No More Liddering’
From Counselor to Environmental Artist
In a world increasingly plagued by plastic pollution, one artist is making a difference by turning single-use plastic into art. Heather Elson, the founder of No More Liddering, is dedicated to reducing the number of plastic lids in our environment. Her creative approach involves collecting plastic lids and transforming them into a variety of art pieces, all while engaging the community and raising awareness about plastic pollution. Many of her pieces involve various volunteers, ranging from her own family members to Cobb County Schools students and hospital patients.
Elson’s journey is as unique as her art. Working as a counselor, she uses art therapy techniques to help individuals and families navigate their emotional landscapes through creative expression. Recently, she expanded her influence by becoming an artist-in-residence with Cobb County Schools, where she educates and inspires the next generation to see the beauty and potential in upcycling materials for art. No More Liddering began as a passion project, and Elson did not expect, many months later, to have her own blossoming soon-to-be nonprofit.
Community-Centric Creations
A significant aspect of Elson’s work is its strong community focus. Many of her projects involve collaborations with local communities, schools, and classrooms. Her first piece in 2021, which was also her largest, a 12 ft by 4 ft piece, was a collaborative effort with children at a K-12 art therapy center. These young helpers, affectionately called “Lidder Bugs,” played a crucial role in the project collecting and sorting lids, painting the design template, glueing down lids, helping with framing, and assisting in the creative process.
Early support came from Elson’s own family with her mother, grandmother, and neighbors assisting in lid collection and her own daughter, Olivia, being involved in many of the school and community-based projects. This family support underscores the communal spirit of her mission.
“My mother and grandmother collected the lids for my first project for me. What I did not expect is that they would continue to collect lids for two years, leaving me with over 100,000 pieces of plastic. ”
The Creative Process
Elson’s artistic process is straightforward and environmentally conscious. It begins with a creative design unique to the installation space all while continuously collecting and organizing plastic lids. The design is painted onto a flat surface, and then lids are hot glued in place to match the design. Most importantly, she strives to create her pieces entirely from upcycled materials. In addition to lid collection, Elson says she will often dumpster dive for other materials she uses and will often find free wood scraps at local home improvement stores.
Notable Collaborations
Elson’s work has attracted a diverse range of clients, including five Cobb County Public Schools, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The Blue Ghost Arcade, Pure Barre Roswell, Georgia Tech, and many private residences. These collaborations highlight the broad appeal and impact of her art, as well as her ability to engage with different sectors of the community.
“In January of this year, I became aware of Heather’s work and the No More Liddering cause. I saw their use of STEM principles and goals toward ending waste as aligned with Georgia Tech Professional Education’s (GTPE) and Georgia Tech as a whole’s mission, particularly Georgia Tech’s Zero Waste initiative. I felt that No More Liddering needed to come to Georgia Tech to help raise awareness. Leadership at GTPE provided full support, and Heather was able to bring one of the pieces and a collection bin to our lobby in the Global Learning Center. Soon, others took notice, and pieces and bins were also placed on site at the TSRB building and the Kendeda building. When my colleagues saw the artwork and heard about No More Liddering’s cause, they were instantly moved, and we have collected a plethora of lids across three buildings on campus. ”
A Passion for the Planet
Heather Elson and No More Liddering’s goal is to reduce plastic footprints and educate communities on the harms of plastic pollution on our planet. She is passionate about raising awareness of the pervasive issue of single-use plastic waste.
“The art, while beautiful, also carries a message of sadness, reflecting the environmental damage caused by plastic. Plastic is a never-ending material. My work should be a poignant reminder of the impact of plastic on our planet.”
Written by Neema Tavakolian