Found Island: Lenore Solmo
Lenore Solmo
Lenore Solmo is a self-taught mixed media artist based in Brooklyn, NY. After a decades long career as a design professional in the fashion accessories industry, Solmo sought a new creative challenge with some more meaning. In 2020, as the world seemed to stand still, Solmo committed to making art from found objects rescued from the streets of NYC, giving them new life, and keeping them out of landfills, at least, for a while longer. Her work challenges viewers to reconsider their own consumption habits, reflecting on what we leave behind and how we value or devalue the objects that pass through our hands.
Solmo’s show Through a Plastic Lens, debuted at Compere Collective in Red Hook, Brooklyn during Earth Month 2024. It is currently being shown this Earth Month 2025 at Trinity School in Manhattan. Solmo represented the USA at Art Connects Women in Dubai March 2024. In June of 2024 Solmo exhibited in Italy as part of L’arte della pesce, La pesca nell’arte (The art of fishing, fishing in art)
Looking ahead, Solmo hopes to travel to cities worldwide collecting, comparing, and transforming found materials into art, exploring how each city generates it’s own distinct trash, shaped by culture, consumption, and industry. She hopes to examine not only what is thrown away, but also reveal the stories to be told through the objects left behind, repurposing trash into new narratives.
Found Island
The artwork in Found Island is created from plastic bottles collected across Staten Island over the course of a year. Shimmering sea creatures and oysters tell a haunting story of the estimated 14 million tons of plastic that enters our oceans annually.
The exhibit’s oyster-inspired pieces pay homage to the people of Sandy Ground, one of America’s first free black settlements, where residents built a livelihood farming and harvesting oysters in Staten Island’s once abundant waters. It also honors the Lenape people, Staten Island’s original inhabitants, renowned for their expertise in oyster harvesting.
By transforming discarded plastic into art that capture both beauty and urgency, FOUND ISLAND invites viewers to reflect on the fragility of our oceans and the future of our shared planet, while reflecting on what we leave behind.
Upcoming Found Island Events at the Freshkills Park Alliance Studio + Gallery located at 2252 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314
*If you are unable to register, please send serickson@freshkillspark.org an email letting us know which event you would like to register for and how many tickets you need*
Found Island Opening Reception
Thursday, April 3rd, 6 PM – 8PM *no registration necessary*
“An imagined world of up-cycled cityscapes and gardens.” Lenore Solmo on Found Island.
Lenore Solmo and the Freshkills Park Alliance invite you to come enjoy refreshments while exploring Solmo’s Found Island exhibit. Found Island is an intertwining of art, environmental activism and cultural homage, all of which join to tell a story: the precarious condition of our oceans and how our impact on the environment will be felt by generations to come.
Up-cycled Plastic Bottle Octopus Art Workshop
Saturday, April 5th, 12 PM
Dive into the ocean of creativity with an Up-cycled Plastic Bottle Octopus Class led by artist Lenore Solmo!
In this hands-on, eco-friendly workshop, you’ll transform everyday plastic bottles into magnificent marine creatures. Guided by Solmo, you’ll cut, twist, and paint your way to an octopus masterpiece that’s as unique as the sea itself. Fun and creative way for sustainability!
Kid-Friendly Workshop
Up-cycled Magnet Art Workshop
Saturday, April 12th, 12 PM
Make a mini work of art inside an up-cycled jar lid with artist Lenore Solmo! Materials provided.
In this quirky and creative workshop, we’ll show you how to transform an ordinary jar lid into a one-of-a-kind piece of art that sticks around—literally! Using bits of colorful paint, funky embellishments, and your imagination, you’ll create a tiny masterpiece that doubles as a magnet. It’s the perfect way to give new life to something destined for the landfill, all while adding a fun, personal touch to your fridge or workspace. Join us and let your creativity stick!
Kid-Friendly Workshop
Decoupage Shell Trinket Tray Workshop
Thursday, April 24th, 6 PM
Shell yeah! 🐚 Join us for a creative, beachy escape with a Decoupage Shell Trinket Tray Class led by Lenore Solmo!
In this fun and relaxing workshop, you’ll transform a simple shell into a coastal masterpiece using decoupage techniques and beautiful designs. Layer up your tray with vibrant prints, delicate shells, and beachy vibes while learning the art of decoupage! You’ll leave with a stunning, personalized trinket tray that’s perfect for holding your jewelry, keys, or seaside dreams. Let’s get crafty and bring the ocean to your home! 🌊
