Trash to Treasure: Artist Talk & Discussion

Join us as Cody Norman, a local artist and designer who uses an industrial robot and custom tools to turn recycled plastic into functional art pieces inspired by nature (and whose sculpture pictured you have probably walked by right in downtown Oak Park!), dives into his creative process and discusses how he promotes environmental awareness through a unique approach to art. Q&A will follow the presentation. Once registered, you will receive an email of optional recyclable items to bring along for Cody to turn into future art.

About the artist
Cody Norman is a Chicago-based artist, designer, and educator. He currently serves as part-time faculty in the Sculpture and Designed Objects departments at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He graduated with a BFA from SAIC in 2016 and earned an MFA in 3D Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2020. Norman uses an industrial robot and custom tools to transform recycled and bio plastics into functional art objects. Through a local network of households and small businesses, he collects post-consumer plastic to create work inspired by nature and sustainability. Norman’s process physically blurs the line between digital and hand craft creating works that resemble nature but have a chaotic and unpredictable materiality, challenging viewers to consider how the work is made.