2020 marks the fourth year of the found objects exhibition first assembled in Erie, PA under the pop-up One Black Whisker Gallery. Titled I Found It On the Ground, curator and contributing artist Alexa D. Potter is gathering a selection of works from artists across the United States. All the artists explore both the natural found object and the byproducts of material culture in ways that provoke thought and mirth, while offering new ways to understand the things we overlook every day. The exhibiting artists have participated in juried exhibitions, appeared in publications and run the gambit from outsider artists to the academically trained and polished, with ages ranging from their early thirties to eighty.

This year’s iteration draws on artists exploring the concept of the found object within the construct of “found on the ground.” While the last three shows allowed for a broad exploration of what could be considered a found object, this year’s exhibition seeks to challenge the artists to hew closely to the concept. This is purposeful both artistically and as an emphasis on rejecting the use of newly manufactured materials.

Given the daily reports of climate catastrophe worldwide and our own local experiences of changing weather patterns, visitors are keen to see art that draws from the natural environment. Brian Pardini works with driftwood from Lake Erie—most of which is the product of tree loss due to soil erosion along the shoreline. Amanda Visell utilizes her background as a painter and animator to breathe life into the driftwood she finds on the Oregon shore. Jamie Borowicz creates installations whole cloth from sticks, leaves and other natural materials.

Erie County is struggling with the loss of much of its recycling capability due to China’s decision to no longer accept refuse from the United States. It’s forcing a dialogue that many weren’t even thinking of regarding conspicuous consumption and our individual responsibility for the waste we generate. Erieites and those in other small communities are thinking directly about their relationship to single use materials. Alexa Potter’s work is comprised entirely of manufactured items that she gathers from Presque Isle, with the singular goal of startling the viewer into thinking about trash; whereas David Seitzinger stalks thrift stores for manufactured goods to incorporate into his kinetic sculptures.

Acclaimed artist Marcus Kenney weaves items such as fishing nets and rusted metal into his visual poems, while emerging artist Hypothetical Horror literally types her word art onto found paper.

I Found It On the Ground also features collaborations between organizer Alexa D. Potter and piñata artist Esther Ortiz, as well as with jewelry artist Lucinda Seitzinger.

I Found It On the Ground takes place September 18-October 16 at 1020 Collective, a renovated and revitalized industrial property located at 1020 Holland Street which seeks to make its mark as a gallery and events venue in the downtown corridor of Erie. There is an opening planned for the 18 th from 5-9; it is free and open to the public.