Art Demonstration

The 2019 50th Celebration Committee will host a visit by corrugated cardboard artist Mark Langan on June 11 and 12 in Wapakoneta, partnering with Riverside Art Center and the Auglaize County Public District Library. On Tuesday, June 11, from 6 to 8 pm at Riverside, West Auglaize Street, in downtown Wapakoneta, Langan will speak about his work, his inspiration, and processes, and then lead attendees in a “try it yourself” session with a moon theme. Light refreshments will be served.

On Wednesday, June 12, 10:30 am, at the Wapakoneta Library. 203 Perry Street, Langan will present a similar program, geared for children aged 5 through 12. Both programs are free and open to the public; registration is required for the library program only (call the Wapakonera library, 419/738-2921). Langan’s appearance is made possible through the support of Pratt Industries.

States 2019 Committee co-chair Rachel Barber, “We thought it would be both appropriate and fun to connect our Apollo 11 anniversary celebration and the arrival of Pratt Industries. We’re very much looking forward to Langan’s visit, and thankful that Pratt made this happen.”

About Mark Langan

Mark Langan resides in Brunswick Hills, Ohio, near Cleveland. Since 2004 he has expressed his creative aspirations through the creation of unique interpretive sculptures from an unlikely medium…recycled corrugated boxes.

Although well versed in and adept with numerous artistic media, Langan has focused on working strictly with reclaimed material. His art carries minimal environmental impact as tools consist simply of a razor, knife, cutting edge, rule, and mat, along with used boxes and non-toxic white glue.

Langan shies away from the term “green” which is nonetheless an apt description of his art by today’s standards. He created sculptures with reclaimed materials long before buzz words like sustainability and eco-friendly became commonplace.

Langan has achieved success by presenting his art to diverse venues that include commissions by paper and corrugated manufacturers, packaging companies, recycling firms, green industries and related businesses. His works can be found in boardrooms and lobbies of firms throughout the United States

Langan’s meticulously detailed sculptures exemplify today’s “less waste” movement by finding beauty in what others might consider trash. He strives to inspire others to examine their own contributions to society and its waste stream. Mark Langan’s art puts an aesthetic twist on what was once mundane and cries out…reduce, reuse, recycle!

The 2019 Committee’s mission is to develop and implement public programs, events, and legacy efforts that reflect the many themes associated with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon walk, and to ensure that Wapakoneta and Auglaize County are at the forefront of this worldwide commemoration.

For more information about this or other anniversary events, please visit firstonthemoon.org or the First on the Moon Facebook page, or contact Barber, wallpaperproject@bright.net.