"From Refuse to Resource": Fiber Art Presentation by artist Erik Jon Olson
Schedule
Fri Jan 30 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
115 W Washington St, Washington, IA, United States, Iowa 52353 | Washington, IA
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In celebration of Fiber Arts February, join us for a presentation by Erik Jon Olson. Learn about Olson’s artistry and process and enjoy his opening exhibit in the Helen Wilson Gallery. Reception following.Using quilted plastic waste, Erik Jon Olson merges environmental advocacy with contemporary art. His work challenges viewers to reconsider not only their relationship to plastic, but also the legacy of consumerism, mass consumption, and unfettered capitalism. Layering environmental concerns with social justice messaging, Olson's art underscores humanity’s alienation from nature and each other, exposing our wastefulness and our subsequent need for healing.
Olson’s entire process follows an ethos of minimal waste. Using secondhand sewing machines, each piece is assembled entirely from discarded plastics and overstock or leftover thread. He even saves every bit of scrap for incorporation into future works, reinforcing the message of sustainability in the art itself.
Without denying what it is, he elevates a material deemed worthless into striking visual statements that harken back to Marshall McLuhan 's famous quote, “The medium IS the message.”
Erik Jon Olson grew up on a hog farm in northwest Iowa, where he discovered his talent for resourceful creativity. With a degree in advertising design from Iowa State University, he embarked on a 25-year career as a creative in the advertising industry in Minneapolis. Alongside his professional work, he explored various mixed-media approaches to artistic expression.
After retiring, Olson lent his expertise to a friend’s business that repurposed single-use plastic waste into functional items. He embraced a challenge to utilize his design skills to create art from the discarded remnants of the manufacturing process. Using quilted plastic waste as his medium, he demonstrated its viability, exhibiting extensively across the country, earning recognition through numerous awards, podcasts, interviews and articles.
Olson currently resides in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he operates from his home studio. There, he crafts large-scale artworks that merge his creative abilities with his commitment to sustainability, all through the transformation of plastic waste.
Visit Erik Jon Olson's website for more information, a full catalog and exhibit schedule.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook handle: erikjon.olson
Instagram handle: erikjonolson
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Where is it happening?
115 W Washington St, Washington, IA, United States, Iowa 52353Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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