Five Cents A Can

A multimedia exhibition exploring the lives of the “canners” who make their livelihood collecting recyclable beverage containers. Featuring the paintings of Chinese-American visual artist and activist Siyan Wong, alongside installations and video works by Wong and filmmaker Alvin Tsang. Canvases by painter Mark Gaston Pearce (chairperson of the National Labor Relations Board under President Obama) explore the larger tapestry of labor in America.

The exhibition is curated around current lobbying to pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill in Albany. A panel discussion will help citizens understand the issue and what they can do to help.

About the Panelists

Siyan Wong is a New York City based painter and workers’ rights lawyer. Born in China and raised in New York City, Wong is also a first generation immigrant. Her work has been exhibited at Governor’s Island, National Arts Club, New York Arts Center, and Equity Gallery (founded by social realist painter Jacob Lawrence). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Artist Equity Association (NYAE). She has given talks about her art practice and social justice at the Asia Society, The Black Institute and various universities. Her painting projects are supported by grants from the New York State Council for the Arts (NYSCA), the Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC), and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).

Blair Horner has served in various roles at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), including Executive Director. Horner is currently the Senior Policy Advisor. He has lobbied on a wide range of issues and written scores of reports examining issues including environmental protection, redistricting, campaign finance, political ethics, bank fees, auto insurance, health care, tobacco use, lead poisoning and higher education funding.

Laurie Konwinski has served as Justice & Peace Ministry Coordinator at Catholic Charities in Ithaca for over 15 years.  A lifelong environmentalist from the time her big brother taught her not to be a litterbug, she lives in what has been described as “the greenest house in Ithaca” and is an active member of Extinction Rebellion.  In her work, she educates and activates people on environmental issues and other social concerns central to Catholic Social Teaching.  The Bigger Better Bottle Bill is, for her, a compelling policy that addresses both care for God’s creation and care for God’s people, especially those on the margins.

Ryan Castalia is an artist and advocate that currently serves as Executive Director of Sure We Can, New York’s only nonprofit directly serving canners. Using approaches learned through the nonprofit world, activism, experimental theatre practice, and from the community of canners he serves, Ryan seeks to create the conditions for a more compassionate and sustainable world to emerge.